Doctoral Researcher (PhD Student) (MSCA-DN)

Read more below and submit your application no later than 21 October 2026.

Title, role and research theme

We are looking for a motivated Doctoral Researcher (PhD student) (MSCA-DN) to develop and optimise electron beam lithography processes for the fabrication of master templates used in nanoimprint lithography (NIL) for the replication of grating waveguide structures (GWS) for high-power laser pulse compressors. In this position, you will be working in the Department of Physics and Mathematics at the Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology.

This position is a part of the TRADES (Training & Research in Advanced Dispersion Engineered Grating-Waveguide Structures) Doctoral Network of the European Commission. This position is one of fifteen doctoral positions within the TRADES consortium. The position is filled for three years and will offer the successful candidate the opportunity to participate in an exciting international training programme, including doctoral schools, workshops, and secondments at both academic and industrial partner organisations (see the project overview below).

The role of the Doctoral Researcher (PhD student) will involve overcoming challenges relating to the accuracy of large-area patterning and compensating for process-induced deformations across multiple fabrication steps. The researcher will develop electron-beam patterning strategies for NIL masters, considering subsequent replication steps; optimize parameters for linewidth and periodicity uniformity to meet stringent tolerances; fabricate master templates for NIL processes and test replication in-house; deliver high-quality masters to partners; and document fabrication processes for future implementation. The fabricated samples will be characterised in collaboration with DC1 and DC2 to assess their performance in relation to the design and qualified for use with high-power lasers in collaboration with DC12.

The main duty of the Doctoral Researcher (PhD Student) is to conduct research for their doctoral dissertation and to complete postgraduate studies. The total working time is 1,612 hours per year.

The person appointed to the Doctoral Researcher position will be admitted to the Doctoral Programme in Science, Forestry and Technology (LUMETO). In addition to their individual scientific project, the successful candidate will benefit from a dedicated TRADES training programme comprising an integrated curriculum of local and intensive network courses, schools and workshops, and engagement with cutting-edge research activities across the TRADES Doctoral Network.

Overview of the project and the training offered to all Doctoral Researchers of TRADES

The TRADES doctoral training network aims to address a skills gap in the photonics sector by training a cohort of 15 doctoral candidates with the advanced skills necessary for the development of innovative and enabling photonics components.

The network will deliver a research and training programme focused on key steps in product development – from a concept to implementation through sustainable production and precise characterization. It will also equip the doctoral candidates with the interdisciplinary skills needed to drive the research forward.

The network fellows will design and develop robust dispersive components based on sub-wavelength gratings waveguide structures to produce gratings for both intra-cavity and extra-cavity applications in high power lasers operating in the 1 and 2 µm spectral regions. To do so, the fellows will push state-of-the-art deposition, lithographic, and etching techniques to their limits, and explore how they can be used to optimize the manufacturability, efficiency (>99.9%) and LIDT > 1J/cm2 for sub-ps pulses, of the final gratings.

In parallel, the fellows will be provided with non-academic research exposure and training in innovation management, enterprise, and entrepreneurship in a highly integrated format beyond the normal generic skills training. This will contribute to producing highly sought after graduates, who are capable of inventing, innovating, and converting knowledge into products and services for economic benefit and are fluent in the business planning and innovation management aspects of their research. All this will prepare the fellows for future careers in photonic technology research and development.

Employment relationship and salary

The position will be filled for a fixed term of three years, starting on 1 January 2027 at the latest. The position will be filled for a fixed term due to it pertaining to a specific project and own doctoral degree. A trial period is applied to all new members of staff.

The salary of the position is based on the salary system of MSCA. The salary consists of living and mobility allowances. The mobility allowance covers additional, private mobility-related costs (e.g., travel and accommodation costs); professional costs under the action are excluded and are covered by the research, training, and networking contribution. If the recruited doctoral candidate has or acquires family obligations during the action duration, i.e., persons linked to them by (i) marriage, or (ii) a relationship with equivalent status to a marriage recognised by the legislation of the country or region where this relationship was formalised; or (iii) dependent children who are actually being maintained by the researcher, the family allowance will be paid as well. The gross salary in this position will be approximately EUR 4,190 per month for the three years, including the mobility allowance (or approximately EUR 4,730, if eligible for the family allowance).

Our requirements and expectations

Requirements:

• a Master’s (or equivalent) degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics or Photonics with a solid knowledge of optics and its applications
• must be in the first 4 years of their career, calculated from the date of graduation (an MSc degree or equivalent)
• should not hold a doctoral degree
• must be able to communicate fluently in English, in spoken and written form
• willingness to travel for secondments and collaborative activities within the TRADES network

Mobility requirement:

Applicants should not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies) in the country of their appointment for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before their appointment. For refugees under the Geneva Convention, the refugee procedure (i.e., before refugee status is conferred) will not be counted as ‘a period of residence/activity in the country of the beneficiary’.

Expectations:

• basic knowledge in physics, materials science, photonics or equivalent fields
• a good understanding of cleanroom practices
• experience with programming or simulation tools and practical experimentation with optics and lasers.

Your benefits

You will have access to the university’s staff benefits, including

• the opportunity for flexible multi-location work
• excellent opportunities for professional development and continuous learning
• extensive occupational health care
• a broad selection of staff training
• staff discount on lunch in our campus restaurants, as well as on a range of other services
• affordable sports services

Please read more in the Work at UEF section on our website.

You will have an opportunity to work in an interesting, meaningful and diverse role as part of our international, creative, participatory and inclusive academic community.

Enjoy your life in Finland! Known for its cleanliness, welfare know-how, modern technology and superb education system, Finland is an exotic and safe country to work in. Please visit the Life in Finland section on our website to learn more.

How to apply?

Submit your application by using our electronic application form no later than 21 October 2026 by 23:59 (midnight) Finnish time (UTC+3).

Please note that you must include the following appendices in your application:

• A CV (max. 3 pages) (Template for CV, TENK website)
• Copies of your Bachelor’s and Master’s degree certificates
• Copies of a transcript of records of your Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees
• A copy of your Master’s thesis and any other publications (if available)
• A motivation letter (max. 1 page), which contains a brief description of why the applicant wishes to become a PhD student within TRADES
• Two written recommendation letters (for example, one from the supervisor of the applicant’s Master’s thesis), including the contact details of the referees
• Other documents to demonstrate the applicant’s merits for the position

If your degree certificate is not in English, you must provide official English translations of your degree certificate documents. All translations must be issued by the awarding educational institution or an authorized translator. Each page of the official translation must bear the translator’s stamp and/or signature. Official translations must be accurate translations of the original documents. Translations made by the applicants themselves will not be accepted.

To ensure a fair and high-quality selection process, applications will be evaluated by a recruitment panel that includes external experts.

Questions?

For more information on the TRADES Doctoral Network, please visit their website.

For further information on the position, please contact Professor Markku Kuittinen, e-mail: markku.kuittinen@uef.fi.

For further information on the application procedure, please contact HR Specialist Iiris Korhonen, e-mail: iiris.korhonen@uef.fi, or HR Specialist Noora Hämäläinen, e-mail: noora.hamalainen@uef.fi.

Where to apply

Website: https://uef.varbi.com/en/what:job/jobID:973586/type:job/where:39/apply:1

Requirements

Research Field: Engineering — Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field: Mathematics — Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field: Physics — Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available: 1

Company/Institute: Itä-Suomen yliopisto

Country: Finland

City: Joensuu