Job Description

Want to join a world-leading research group conducting research at the intersection between nanophotonics, nanomechanics, quantum optics, semiconductors, and nanotechnology?

We are now expanding our team with four postdoc positions to embark on new research directions aiming to answer fundamental research questions while at the same time having strong potential for real-world impact.

Responsibilities and qualifications

As a postdoc in our group, you will drive your own project while contributing to the broader scientific output of the group, working closely with PhD students, fellow postdocs, and senior researchers in a highly collaborative international environment.

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Carrying out original research within your assigned project (A, B, C, or D), spanning theoretical modeling, numerical simulations, nanofabrication in our state-of-the-art cleanroom, and advanced optical, electromechanical, or quantum-optical characterization, as appropriate for the project
• Publishing your results in leading peer-reviewed journals and presenting them at international conferences
• Co-supervising PhD and MSc students and contributing to a positive, inclusive, and curiosity-driven research environment
• Engaging in collaborations with other groups at DTU and with our external academic and industrial partners
• Contributing to research proposals and to the dissemination of results to academic, industrial, and broader audiences

We are looking for highly motivated candidates with a strong scientific track record. The ideal applicant will have:

• A PhD (or equivalent) in physics, electrical engineering, photonics, applied physics, or a closely related field
• Demonstrated expertise in one or more areas relevant to the project of interest, such as nanophotonics, nanomechanics, cavity optomechanics, quantum optics, semiconductor physics, integrated photonics, photonic computing, quantum information science, or nanofabrication
• A strong publication record commensurate with career stage
• Excellent written and spoken English and the ability to communicate complex scientific results clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences
• The ability to work independently while collaborating constructively in a diverse, international team

In addition, depending on the project, the ideal candidate will also have at least one of the following:

• Hands-on experience with relevant experimental techniques, for example cleanroom-based nanofabrication (electron-beam lithography, dry etching, thin-film deposition)
• Hands-on experience with optical spectroscopy, cryogenic measurements, or high-frequency electrical and RF characterization
• Theoretical expertise in quantum optics, quantum information science, and photonic integrated circuits
• Practical experience with programming in Python and/or Julia for scientific computing
• Solid skills in scientific programming and numerical modeling (e.g., Python, MATLAB, COMSOL, Lumerical, or similar tools)

The projects build on our recent experimental and theoretical breakthroughs in photonic integrated circuits, nanofabrication, nanoelectromechanical systems, and photonic computing (See below reference for point [1-5]) as well as our track record of spinning out three successful companies.

The exact scope and goals of each project will be tailored to the qualifications and interests of the candidates, but will be within the following overarching themes:

Project A:

Nanoelectromechanical photonics (nanofabrication and characterization).

This project aims at developing next-generation optical interconnects based on bowtie nanocavities [1-3] and other nanophotonic structures controlled by nanoelectromechanical systems with ultralow-power consumption

Project B:

Hypersonic nanomechanics (theory and characterization).

The goal of this project is to explore silicon nanomechanical devices at unprecedented scales towards the ultimate goal of harnessing nanomechanics at gigahertz frequencies for interfacing with nanocavities and other photonic devices.

Project C:

Analog photonic computing (characterization and theory).

The goal is to develop next-generation computing hardware by exploiting the unique properties of nanoelectromechanical actuators embedded in photonic circuits. The project builds on our recent experimental and theoretical breakthroughs in photonic integrated circuits [1,2] and photonic computing [4], and aims to demonstrate novel computing platforms with ultra-low energy consumption.

Project D:

Photonic quantum computing (theory).

The goals of this project are to develop protocols and blueprints for generating large-scale entangled states and perform quantum error correction based on quantum emitters in silicon photonic circuits. We envision a theoretical roadmap to guide our experimental activities to go far beyond probabilistic approaches, such as heralded entanglement generation. Based on our recently proposed recirculating quantum photonic network (RQPN) architecture [5], we plan to use methods from quantum optimal control to develop protocols for high-dimensional entanglement generation and quantum error correction – all tailored to our silicon-based spin-photon interface platform.

In your application, please indicate which project(s) you are interested in (A, B, C, and/or D) and briefly explain how your background and research interests align with the chosen project(s). Candidates whose expertise spans more than one of the four directions are encouraged to say so.

We offer

DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and terms of employment

The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union.

The period of employment is 2 years.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Prof. Søren Stobbe ( ssto@dtu.dk), Sen. Researcher Mikkel Heuck ( mheu@dtu.dk), or Assist. Prof. Babak Vosoughi Lahijani ( bala@dtu.dk).

You can read more about DTU Electro at www.electro.dtu.dk

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark

Application procedure

Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 2 June 2026 (23:59 Danish time) Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file The file must include:

• Application (cover letter)
• CV
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD – in English)
• List of publications

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

DTU Electro
DTU Electro employs more than 300 skilled researchers with competencies in electrical and photonics engineering. As a department we strive towards creating sustainable energy and a greener internet, as well as strengthening cyber security and health technology. Working with the industry and public organizations is one of our top priorities to find and implement new solutions to our society. We aim to offer education, research, and innovation of the highest standard, and our focus on application-oriented research enables us to work across many engineering disciplines and research areas, such as IT and the medical and health sciences. We have a close collaboration with researchers from all over the world, just as we collaborate with industry and public authorities about the dissemination of solutions based on electrical and photonics engineering as their key enabling technologies.

DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829
DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.

Reference 1-5:

[1] A. N. Babar, T. A. S. Weis, K. Tsoukalas, S. Kadkhodazadeh, G. Arregui, B. Vosoughi Lahijani, and S. Stobbe, Self-assembled photonic cavities with atomic-scale confinement, Nature 624, 57 (2023).

[2] M. Albrechtsen, B. Vosoughi Lahijani, R. E. Christiansen, V. T. H. Nguyen, L. N. Casses, S. E. Hansen, N. Stenger, O. Sigmund, H. Jansen, J. Mørk, and S. Stobbe, Nanometer-scale photon confinement in topology-optimized dielectric cavities, Nature Communications 13, 6281 (2022).

[3] S. Lepeshov, D. A. Farbowitz, T. A. S. Weis, B. Lu, B. Vosoughi Lahijani, and S. Stobbe, Nanoelectromechanical Spectral Control of Silicon Bowtie Nanocavities for Quantum Light Sources, Nano Letters 26, 152 (2026).

[4] A. Carstensen and B. Vosoughi Lahijani, Photonic-computing error correction through optical en-/decoder calibrations, arXiv:2602.18299 (2026).

[5] E. Grovn, M. Bundgaard-Nielsen, J. Mørk, D. Englund, and M. Heuck, Recirculating quantum photonic networks for fast deterministic quantum information processing. arXiv: 2602.11033 (2026).