What new physics emerges when a THz interface changes on the timescale of the wave itself? In this PhD project, you will develop dynamically modulated THz interfaces and explore frequency conversion, beam steering, and nonreciprocal propagation through electromagnetic design, device development, and THz experiments.
Information
The sub-THz regime is emerging as an important platform for future wireless communication, radar, and sensing, but controlling these waves dynamically remains a major challenge. Current interfaces can shape a THz wave in space, or tune their response in time, but doing both rapidly and with subwavelength spatial control is much harder. This limits how quickly THz beams can be steered, reconfigured, or made nonreciprocal.
In this PhD project, you will explore a different regime: space–time interfaces whose electromagnetic response changes while the wave is interacting with them. Fast modulation allows the interface to exchange energy and momentum with the field, enabling effects such as frequency conversion, dynamic beam steering, anomalous scattering, and nonreciprocal propagation.
Your research will span the full cycle from concept to experiment. You will:
- Develop concepts for fast spatial and temporal modulation of THz waves.
- Model wave interactions with dynamically changing interfaces.
- Design structures combining subwavelength spatial control with high modulation rates.
- Explore suitable modulation mechanisms, including MEMS-based architectures and alternative dynamic platforms.
- Fabricate and experimentally characterize the resulting devices.
- Build THz experiments to study beam steering, frequency shifts, and nonreciprocal response.
- Demonstrate GHz-rate two-dimensional spatiotemporal beamforming and explore its use in reconfigurable and nonreciprocal THz communication.
The project will primarily target the sub-THz regime, approximately 0.3–1 THz. MEMS-based structures are one promising route, but the broader goal is to identify and realize practical platforms that can modulate THz waves fast enough to access genuinely dynamic wave phenomena.
The project is part of SPARK – Spatiotemporal Photonic Technologies, a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network bringing together academic and industrial partners across Europe. You will be based at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) and supervised by Dr. Ahmed H. Dorrah, with Prof. Michaël Lobet at Université de Namur, Belgium, as co-supervisor.
At TU/e, you will join the Photonics and Semiconductor Nanophysics (PSN) group, working in an interdisciplinary environment spanning photonics, electromagnetics, structured waves, nanofabrication, and experimental optics.
You will spend 6 months at Université de Namur, focusing on theoretical modelling of GHz space–time interfaces, and 3 months at TNO, working on THz mode (de)multiplexing and system-level characterization. You will also take part in SPARK training schools, workshops, conferences, and network-wide activities.
Requirements
- A Master’s degree in Applied Physics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Optics/Photonics, Microsystems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field.
- A strong foundation in electromagnetics, wave physics, microwave/THz engineering, and/or photonics.
- Experience with numerical modelling or scientific programming, for example using Python, MATLAB, COMSOL, CST, Ansys, or similar tools.
- Interest or experience in dynamic electromagnetic systems, THz technology, metasurfaces, MEMS, RF/microwave systems, or experimental wave characterization.
- The ability to work independently while contributing effectively to an international and interdisciplinary research team.
- Strong written and spoken English communication skills.
Experience with THz measurements, RF/microwave systems, microfabrication, MEMS, time-varying electromagnetics, or electromechanical modelling is an advantage, but not required. You do not need expertise in all these areas; we value a strong technical foundation, scientific curiosity, and the motivation to develop new skills during the PhD.
MSCA Eligibility Requirements
At the date of recruitment:
- You must not already hold a doctoral degree.
- You must comply with the MSCA mobility rule: you must not have resided or carried out your main activity, such as work or studies, in the Netherlands for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately preceding the recruitment date. Exceptions defined under the MSCA rules apply.
Conditions of employment
Fixed-term contract: 4 years.
A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus at the heart of one of Europe’s largest tech hubs.
In addition, we offer you:
- Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment.
- Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 3,204 - max. € 4,051 gross base salary per month (full-time)).
- In addition to your base salary, you will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus, both calculated based on your annual gross base salary.
- Generous leave options: a standard 29 days (based on a 38 hour working week) per year that you can increase to 41 days by working two hours more per week (flexible working hours). This is prorated if you work part-time.
- As a TU/e employee, you participate in the ABP pension scheme, providing retirement pension and pension benefits for surviving dependents and occupational disability. TU/e pays 70% of the pension premium, while employees contribute the remaining 30%.
- High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
- An excellent technical infrastructure, and on-campus children's day care.
- Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus TU/e Student Sports Center at an exceptionally affordable rate.
- We support your wellbeing with free 24/7 access to OpenUp, providing you and your family with mental health support, expert guidance, and online training.
- An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
- A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the Expat Scheme) for international candidates.
On our website you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment. Build on your career at TU/e!
Employer
TU/e
We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.
Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high‑tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society.
The Department of Applied Physics and Science Education is a research-driven department housing high-quality educational programs, all featuring strong connections between research and education. Our research is clustered in three focal areas: Fluids, Bio and Soft Matter (FBSM); Plasmas and Beams (PB); and Nano, Quantum and Photonics (NQP). Our shared ambition is to equip the next generation of ‘engineers of the future’ with the knowledge and the skills they will need to impact science, innovation, and society, from regional to global scales.
Additional information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the lab PI, dr. Ahmed H. Dorrah, a.h.dorrah@tue.nl.
Visit our website for more information about the application process. You can also contact HRServices.apse@tue.nl.
Curious to hear more about what it’s like as a PhD candidate at TU/e? Please view the video.
Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.
Working at TU/e
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