Open positions

Interested in nanoscience research? Please remember to check this page where we regularly post job offers for PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and senior scientists at the Adolphe Merkle Institute. Chemistry, materials science, analytics, physics, and biophysics are all at the core of our scientific projects. We offer a uniquely stimulating interdisciplinary research environment, state-of-the-art laboratories, excellent working conditions, competitive salaries, and outstanding career prospects. Our alumni regularly take up attractive positions in academia, public research organizations, and industry around the world.

• PhD position on “Quantum Sensing of Chiral-Induced Spin Selectivity"

  The Adolphe Merkle Institute’s Quantum Sensing & Spin Chemistry Group (Assistant Prof. John Abendroth) invites applications for an ERC-funded PhD position on “Quantum Sensing of Chiral-Induced Spin Selectivity.”

  Project: The project focuses on measuring and understanding the behavior of electron spin pairs in chiral molecules created by light using diamond-based quantum sensors.

  Spin dynamics of these radical pairs are central both in biology and for quantum information science applications. Chiral-induced spin selectivity (CISS), which describes spin-dependent interactions in chiral molecules, can influence polarization and coherence of the radical pairs. The goal of this project is to use fluorescent nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond to probe these spin properties and the influence of CISS at the single-molecule level.

  The successful candidate will take part in the construction of custom-built instrumentation for confocal microscopy, carry out optically detected magnetic resonance experiments with single-spin quantum sensors, and perform accompanying spin dynamics simulations. The project includes opportunities to present results at international conferences, publish in leading journals, and mentor Masters-level projects.

  Requirements: Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in Physics, Physical Chemistry, Electrical Engineering, or a related field and wish to pursue interdisciplinary research in a fast-moving international environment. Experience in quantum engineering or magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR/EPR techniques) will be of advantage. Experience with optics and/or high-frequency electronics is especially valued. Programming skills for data acquisition and analysis are highly desirable. The ability to advance a complex project independently and as part of a team, excellent communication skills, and proficiency in English are essential.

  We offer: AMI offers attractive employment conditions, a highly collaborative research environment, and outstanding infrastructure in a state-of-the-art research facility. The institute is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect, and provides equal opportunities for all its members. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates.

  The position will be filled as soon as possible. Please send your CV, motivation letter, and contact information of two references as one PDF file via E-mail to ami.applications@unifr.ch with the subject title “PhD Quantum Sensing”.

• Two PhD Positions - Soft Matter Physics Group
  The Adolphe Merkle Institute's Soft Matter Physics Group (Prof. Ullrich Steiner) invites applications for two PhD positions in the "Strong Localisation of Light through the Controlled Assembly of Amorphous Patchy Colloid Networks” project.

  
  

  In opaque materials, light is multiply scattered before emerging.  A long-standing interesting fundamental question arises: Is it possible to design a strongly scattering material from which light never emerges? While theoretically predicted and despite several experimental efforts, this effect has not yet been demonstrated.  Our approach follows the theoretical studies, which require an interplay of order and disorder in the arrangement of the scatterers within the material.  

  
  

  To this end, we will develop a system of colloidal building blocks that can be assembled into networks, allowing us to adjust the order-disorder interplay of the resulting network. These 3D networks are then replicated into high-refractive index materials (silicon or titania) and optically characterised to achieve strong light scattering. One of the PhD projects concerns the creation of the building blocks, i.e., the synthesis of the colloids and their assembly, while the second will work on replicating the networks as mentioned above.  Both students will also use molecular dynamics and optical simulations to predict promising network morphologies, guiding their experiments.

  
  

  Applicants must have a Master’s degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, or Physics and wish to pursue interdisciplinary research in a fast-moving international team. The ability to advance a complex project independently and as part of a team, excellent communication skills, and proficiency in English are key requirements for this position. Experience in polymer or colloid science will be of advantage, and some knowledge of optics is desirable. 

  
  

  The Adolphe Merkle Institute offers attractive employment conditions and outstanding infrastructure in a state-of-the-art research facility.

   

  The position will be filled as soon as possible. Please send your CV, motivation letter, and contact information of at least two references as one PDF file via E‐mail to ami.applications@unifr.ch with the subject title “PhD Light Localisation”.
• Two PhD Positions - Polymer Mechanochemistry

  AMI’s Polymer Chemistry and Materials Group (Prof. ChristophWeder) invites applications for two PhD Positions on Polymer Mechanochemistry

  The project centers on the design, synthesis, and application of supramolecular mechanophores, the development of novel strategies to incorporate these motifs into polymeric materials, and the investigation of their mechanoresponsive behavior.

  The PhD students recruited for this project will join a dynamic, interdisciplinary team working on complementary aspects of the research. Collaboration will be central to the project's success, and students will benefit from shared expertise, joint problemsolving, and regular team meetings to ensure strong integration across all work packages.

  Applicants should hold a Master’s degree in Chemistry, Polymer, or Materials Science, and be motivated to pursue interdisciplinary research within a fast-paced, international team environment. Experience in organic and polymer synthesis, the ability to advance a complex project independently and as part of a team, excellent communication skills, and proficiency in English are key requirements.

  AMI offers attractive employment conditions and an outstanding infrastructure in a new research facility. The positions are available immediately. To apply, please send your CV, a motivation letter, and contact details for at least two references as a single PDF file via E-mail to ami.applications@unifr.ch with the subject title “PhD Position Polymer Mechanochemistry”.