Doctoral student in Spintronics

Doctoral position in Physics

The Department of Physics at the University of Gothenburg is located in the center of Gothenburg, with approximately 100 employees. The communication routes are good both nationally and internationally. The research focuses within the fields of Atom- and Molecular Physics, Condensed Matter Physics and Spintronics, and Complex Systems and Biophysics and is performed in an international environment with extensive national and international collaborations. The education programs at the Department include Bachelor- and Master programs in Physics, physics teacher-training programs, as well as outreach courses in Physics aimed for the general public. Gothenburg Physics Centre is a close collaboration with three other departments within the Faculty of Science and Chalmers University of Technology, which creates an innovative environment for all researchers and students at the department.

For further information about the Department of Physics, please visit our website at www.physics.gu.se/english. More information about Gothenburg Physics Centre can be found at www.chalmers.se/en/centres/gpc

General information about being a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg can be found on the university's doctoral student pages www.gu.se/en/doctoral-studies

About the research group

Spintronics is a major research area within the department, with activities led by the research group of Professor Johan Åkerman. The group studies magnetodynamic phenomena, spin and orbital torques, nanofabrication, and the fundamental physics of spin waves and spintronic oscillators. A key direction is leveraging these effects for unconventional computing hardware, including neuromorphic systems, reservoir computing, and Ising machines. The group currently leads a Swedish Research Council (VR) Distinguished Professor Grant project focused on next-generation spin-wave, acoustic-wave, and spintronic devices for unconventional computing. To strengthen these efforts, the department is seeking a PhD student to contribute to the fundamentals and algorithms of spatially and time-multiplexed oscillator-network computing.

Duties

The PhD student will focus on the fundamentals and algorithms for spatially and time-multiplexed oscillator-network computing. The work includes modeling coupled nonlinear dynamical systems, developing learning and inference schemes for neuromorphic/reservoir and Ising-type computation, and benchmarking scalability and robustness to noise and variability under realistic hardware constraints. A core component is scientific programming: building simulation and data-analysis pipelines, validating algorithmic ideas against the group’s oscillator characteristics, and assisting in analyzing experimental data. The student will collaborate closely with experimental efforts to ensure strong feedback between theory, algorithms, and measurements.

Experience and strong interest in one or more of the following areas are considered an advantage:

• Modeling and analysis of nonlinear dynamical systems and coupled-oscillator networks
• Scientific programming for simulation, data analysis, and reproducible workflows (e.g., Python/Julia/Matlab/C++)
• Machine-learning–inspired methods for reservoir/neuromorphic computing and optimization (e.g., Ising/QUBO formulations)
• Working with experimental data (signal processing, parameter extraction, uncertainty/noise analysis) and interacting effectively with experimental teams

The successful candidate will collaborate closely with other PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, contributing to both experimental design and data interpretation. Further research and education-related tasks include publishing research findings in peer-reviewed journals and presenting results at international scientific conferences.

Doctoral studies comprises four years of full-time study, and leads to a doctoral degree.

As part of your employment as a doctoral student, you may have departmental duties corresponding to up to 20 % of full-time employment, distributed throughout your study period, and result in a corresponding extension of the studies. Departmental duties usually consist of teaching at first- and second-cycle levels, but may also include research and administration.

Eligibility

Doctoral education requires general eligibility and, where appropriate, specific eligibility as set out in the general syllabus for the subject.

The general eligibility requirements for doctoral studies are:

1. having completed a degree at second-cycle level, or
2. the fulfilment of course requirements totalling at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits must be at second-cycle level, or
3. the acquisition of equivalent knowledge in some other way, either in Sweden or abroad.

To meet the specific entry requirements for third-cycle studies, applicants must:

1. have a second-cycle (advanced-level) degree in a relevant* subject area in the natural sciences, or
2. have completed studies for at least 60 higher education credits at a second-cycle level in relevant subject areas in the natural sciences, or
3. have completed a corresponding programme of relevance to the planned third-cycle programme, in Sweden or in another country, or have equivalent qualifications.

*Relevant for the planned third-cycle education

The specific entry requirements also include an acceptable command of spoken and written English. Guidelines for assessing English proficiency may include a minimum score of 550 on the TOEFL test (or 213 on the TOEFL-CBT, or 79 on the TOEFL-iBT).

Assessment criteria

The selection of applicants who meet the basic and specific eligibility requirements will be based on the ability to assimilate the doctoral studies.

Admission and employment

Once you have been admitted to doctoral studies, you will be employed as a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg.

The provisions for employment as a doctoral student can be found in ordinance SFS 1993:100.

Initial employment as a doctoral student may apply for a maximum of one year, and may be renewed by a maximum of two years at a time.

A doctoral student may be employed as a doctoral student for a maximum of eight years, but the total period of employment may not be longer than the equivalent of full-time education at doctoral level for four years.

Type of employment: Fixed-term employment, 4 years full time
Extent: 100%
Location: Department of Physics, Gothenburg
First day of employment: 1 April 2026

The University applies a local agreement on salaries for doctoral students.

Please note, doctoral studies at The department of Physics require physical presence to conduct the studies. If the admitted applicant needs a residence permit for higher education to pursue studies in Sweden, The department of Physics has the right to revoke the admission decision if the applicant cannot present a valid residence permit no later than at the start of the studies.

Contact information

For further information regarding the position please contact Johan Åkerman, Professor,
johan.akerman@physics.gu.se

Application

You can apply to be admitted to doctoral education via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal.

It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per this notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline.

The application shall include:

• Cover letter with an explanation of why you apply for the position
• CV including scientific publications
• Copy of exam certificate
• Two referees (name, telephone number, relation)

Applications must be received by: 22 February 2026