"Postdoctoral researcher (f/m/d)"

The Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences is a leading international research institute of exceptional scientific breadth. With more than 40 research groups and some 1,000 employees from over 50 nations, it is the largest institute of the Max Planck Society.

The department Dynamics at Surfaces (Prof. Dr. Alec M. Wodtke) is inviting applications for a position as

Postdoctoral researcher (f/m/d)

The Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences (MPI) in Göttingen, Germany and the Applied Physics Division at NIST in Boulder, CO, USA seek a qualified postdoctoral researcher to design, fabricate, and test high efficiency superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) and detector arrays optimized for mid-infrared spectroscopy. The goal of this work is to develop both single-element SNSPDs as well as kilopixel-scale imaging arrays which have high efficiency in the 2 – 16 µm wavelength range for applications in single-photon spectroscopy. The imaging arrays will be employed in various experiments in labs at MPI and the University of Aarhus, with the goal of developing novel experimental techniques to perform spectroscopy on single molecules which are relevant for astrobiology and astrochemistry.

Your profile

A qualified candidate will have a PhD in electrical engineering, physics, or a related field, as well as expertise in one or more of the following: nanofabrication, superconductivity, cryogenics, or microwave electronics. Additional experience beyond the PhD is not required. US citizenship is not required.

What we offer

• State of the art on-site high performance/GPU compute facilities
• Competitive research in an inspiring, world-class environment
• A wide range of offers to help you balance work and family life
• Further training opportunities and free in-house language courses

Position Details

The position will be based in Boulder, Colorado, in the Quantum Nanophotonics and Faint Photonics groups led by Rich Mirin and Marty Stevens, and the SNSPD group led by Varun Verma. Candidates will have access to the NIST‑Boulder Microfabrication Facility, a state-of-the-art 18,000 square foot cleanroom dedicated primarily to superconductor micro- and nano-fabrication, and to extensive cryogenic, electrical, and optical testing equipment. Travel to MPI and the University of Aarhus will be required at least once per year.

We anticipate a start date between January and March of 2026. The anticipated duration of the project is 3 years. Payment and benefits are based on the German Public Service Payscale (TVöD Bund) guidelines.

The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and, therefore, encourages applications from such qualified individuals. The Max Planck Society strives for diversity and gender equality and welcomes applications from all backgrounds.

Application

Please send your application including a cover letter (explaining background and motivation), CV, transcript of records, contact names and addresses of two to four referees familiar with the work of the candidate preferably via e-mail as one single PDF file until 02.11.2025 to:

ausschreibung27-25@mpinat.mpg.de

Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences

Department of Dynamics at Surfaces

Prof. Dr. Alec M. Wodtke

Prof. Dr. Dirk Schwarzer

Am Fassberg 11

37077 Göttingen

Germany

Web: https://www.mpinat.mpg.de/wodtke

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