City:  Freiburg
Date:  May 7, 2025

PhD Positions: "Tunable EC-QCLs for PTS based protein sensing"

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft (www.fraunhofer.com) currently operates 76 institutes and research units throughout Germany and is a leading applied research organization. Around 32 000 employees work with an annual research budget of 3.4 billion euros. 

Are you a physicist, photonics expert, or laser enthusiast eager to tackle real-world problems? Join the EU MSCA Joint doctoral network PROTEMIC (“Integrated Spectroscopy for Protein Analysis Using Metasurfaces and Interband/Quantum Cascade Devices”) that is dedicated to using mid-IR lasers, photonic integrated circuits, and advanced spectroscopy to unlock the secrets of proteins. With world-class labs, industry partners, and dual degrees, PROTEMIC is your gateway to scientific impact and career acceleration. 
Each PhD student will conduct their work at two different institutions, moving to the co-host after ~2 years. 

This position starts at IAF and is co-hosted by INSUCAPS LTD (Cork, Ireland)

 

What you will do

The work at IAF focuses on assembly, in-depth characterization and optimization of External Cavity Quantum Cascade Lasers (EC-QCLs) regarding the requirements of different measurement techniques to be developed in PROTEMIC. During the second stage at INSUCAPS, the EC-QCL will be applied to study protein denaturation processes. 
 

Details on the Projects and the PROTEMIC network can be found at: https://www.protemic.eu

 

What you bring to the table

  • solid background in physics  and / or photonics
  • keen interest in working in a multi-disciplinary context and to develop a good understanding of protein denaturation and its relation to mid-IR spectroscopy.
  • very good command of English

 

What you can expect

PROTEMIC students will:

  • study in 2 European countries
  • become a Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellow with full salary and benefits
  • undertake multi-disciplinary research & training in integrated photonics, spectroscopy and protein science
  • be awarded a Ph.d. degree from 2 universities (double degree/cotutelle)
  • gain industry experience either part-based in industry or through a secondment
  • be part of an interlinked team of 12 fellows
  • be working towards common goals

 

We value and promote the diversity of our employees' skills and therefore welcome all applications - regardless of age, gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, ideology, disability, sexual orientation and identity. Severely disabled persons are given preference in the event of equal suitability. 

With its focus on developing key technologies that are vital for the future and enabling the commercial utilization of this work by business and industry, Fraunhofer plays a central role in the innovation process. As a pioneer and catalyst for groundbreaking developments and scientific excellence, Fraunhofer helps shape society now and in the future. 

Interested? Apply online now directly https://www.protemic.eu

 

Applications can only be considered if submitted via the official website of protemic!

Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics IAF 

www.iaf.fraunhofer.de 

 

Requisition Number: 79669                Application Deadline:

 


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