PhD Student Position – Novel Photodetectors

Application deadline:  20 April 2026

Job type: employment contract (full time)

Scientific discipline: Physics, condensed matter physics, astroparticle physics, electronics

Monthly gross salary before taxes: 7 925 PLN gross/month (estimated value “on hand” = 6 037 PLN net/month, i.e. approx. 1 420 EUR)

Maximum period of contract: Until the end of the Project (31.12.2029), with the possibility of extension

Position starts on: immediately

Link to the job offer on Euraxess

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Offer description

Institution: Astrocent Department of the Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center of the Polish Academy of Sciences

Project leader: Marcin Kuźniak

Project title: Astrocent: Particle Astrophysics Technology Centre
(Supported by the Foundation for Polish Science International Research Agendas Programme, financed from the European Funds for a Modern Economy programme)

Project description:

The Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center offers the opportunity to carry out a research project leading to a PhD degree. We search for candidates interested in subjects pursued at the Particle Astrophysics Technology Centre (Astrocent) implemented at the Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center as part of the International Research Agendas Programme (IRAP) of the Foundation for Polish Science, supported by the European Funds for a Modern Economy. The main focus of Astrocent is to conduct scientific research in the areas of particle astrophysics that deal with exploring the hidden Universe, and to develop commercial applications of the technologies developed in that context.

Candidates should contact their potential supervisors to obtain more details on the proposals.

Subject:  Development of novel organic and organic-inorganic hybrid photodetectors

Advisor: Prof. Marcin Kuźniak (mkuzniak@camk.edu.pl)

Our group is involved in the development and testing of novel large-area silicon photomultiplier-based modules for applications, among others, in very large dark matter and neutrino detectors.

As an additional line of research, we intend to push the limits of the organic and hybrid (perovskite-based) photosensor technology. According to recent literature, in some aspects, such devices can already match or outperform silicon-based devices, with the added benefit of the intrinsic scalability of the production method (for details see https://indico.cern.ch/event/1485254/contributions/6355108). The successful candidate will work on prototyping and testing multiple configurations of such sensors, and on applying methods of printed electronics for their scale-up.

This project offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in precision instrumentation, novel materials, analogue/digital electronics, and data analysis within an international and collaborative scientific environment.

The group is active in DRD2, DarkSode-20k and ARGO collaborations, and with a network of industrial partners explores industrial and commercial applications of technologies developed in that context.

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Astrocent (https://astrocent.edu.pl) was established on 1 July 2018 within the framework of the International Research Agendas Programme of the Foundation for Polish Science. Its significant expansion has been recently made possible with a combined 30 MEur of funding from the Horizon Europe Teaming of Excellence programme, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the Foundation for Polish Science.

At Astrocent, research is focused primarily on the areas of the detection of neutrinos, gravitational waves and dark matter using advanced technological instruments, whose development will be among the prime areas of activity of the Centre, as well as on theory.

Astrocent has developed close collaborative links with institutions in Europe and worldwide, in particular with our strategic partners APC (Astroparticle and Cosmology Laboratory) in Paris and the McDonald Institute in Canada.

Currently, IRAP Astrocent project comprises three international research groups of physicists and engineers:

1. Photonics for astroparticle physics and sustainable energy (leader: Prof. Marcin Kuźniak);
2. Medical physics and radiation detectors (leader: Prof. Masayuki Wada);
3. Electronics, seismic and environmental sensors (leader: Dr. Mariusz Suchenek).

Astrocent is formally an administrative division of Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center of the Polish Academy of Sciences (http://www.camk.edu.pl) – an internationally leading institute in astronomy and astrophysics. The transformation of  Astrocent into a new independent institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences is currently in progress (https://astrocent.edu.pl/astrocent-becomes-a-new-international-institute-of-the-polish-academy-of-sciences/).

Astrocent strongly values the diversity of candidates and is committed to the equality of opportunities.

Key responsibilities

1. Laboratory work in a cleanroom environment
2. Optimisation and characterisation of thin organic, inorganic and hybrid coatings
3. Cryogenic tests of the electrical and optical properties of the devices, and their response
4. Development and tests of production based on printing techniques
5. Active participation in the research program in Astrocent
6. Co-operation with the other research teams at Astrocent
7.  Readiness to apply for grants

Requirements

1. A Master’s degree (or nearing completion) in Physics, Material Science, Electronic Engineering, Applied Physics, or a closely related field
2. Practical experience in laboratory work with, ideally:
   • Familiarity with thin film deposition techniques (spin coating, PVD, CVD)
   • Familiarity with surface and material characterisation techniques (SEM, AFM, profilers), spectrophotometry and fluorometry
   • Familiarity with techniques of printed electronics
3. Good knowledge of programming in e.g. Python or C++ for data analysis, simulations, and hardware control
4. Enthusiasm for hands-on laboratory work and problem-solving

Required documents

1. 1. GDPR statement following the template available at GDPR statement following the template available at https://dream.camk.edu.pl/index.php/s/xxBVGNexqbFy2GB  or  https://dream.camk.edu.pl/index.php/s/iipbk0Fjm7s2KM3
   2. A copy of their Master/University and Bachelor degree diplomas. In case Master degree diploma is not yet available, it must be provided before the candidate is admitted to the school;
   3. A transcript of grades (Bachelor and Master Courses);
   4. A Curriculum Vitae including an education and employment record, list of publications, information on involvement in scientific activities – membership in scientific groups/societies, participation in scientific conferences, internships and training, awards and distinctions;
   5. A letter of motivation containing a short description of the candidate’s interests and scientific achievements, and justification of the intention to join our team;
   6. English language certificate(s), if available;

   At least one recommendation letter should be sent directly by the referee to ac_recruitment@camk.edu.pl before the deadline.

We offer

1. An open, stimulating and friendly research environment with access to all the facilities.
2. Close collaboration with foreign institutions, with the necessary financial support for travel and scientific visits.

Please submit the following documents to: ac_recruitment@camk.edu.pl

Interviews for shortlisted  candidates are planned for 21-22 April 2026.

Apply now