PhD Position Metaoptics for Space Applications

Location: Delft, Netherlands; relocation to the Netherlands may be required. Experimental work will also take place in collaboration with SRON Space Research Organisation Netherlands.

Salary: €3059–€3881 gross per month, increasing from the first to the fourth year under a full-time 38-hour contract.

Company

hirify.global is an international university focused on engineering education and pioneering research in areas including climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence, and smart mobility.

What you will do

• Design photonic crystal-based spectropolarimetric filter arrays for compact hyperspectral cameras.
• Manufacture photonic crystals and integrate them with detectors.
• Perform optical testing and characterization of the developed devices.
• Develop imaging technologies for satellite-based aerosol monitoring, climate research, and industrial sensing.
• Collaborate with SRON Space Research Organisation Netherlands in an interdisciplinary research environment.

Requirements

• Strong Master's degree in Physics, Applied Physics, Photonics, Nanotechnology, Engineering, or a related field.
• Knowledge of nanooptics, photonic crystals, inverse design, photonics, and imaging systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment.
• Excellent English communication skills and proof of English proficiency are required.

Nice to have

• Experience with optical characterization, nanofabrication, computational imaging, or detector technology.
• Knowledge of semiconductor devices and optoelectronics.

Culture & Benefits

• Four-year doctoral employment period, normally provided through an initial 1.5-year contract and a subsequent 2.5-year contract subject to progress and performance.
• Participation in the hirify.global Graduate School and its Doctoral Education Programme.
• 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• Customisable compensation package, health-insurance discounts, and monthly work-cost contribution.
• Flexible work schedules and relocation support through the Coming to Delft Service, including partner career support.

Hiring process

• Submit a CV, cover letter, academic transcripts, publication or research-output list, and English-proficiency proof by 30 August 2026.
• Selected applicants will provide contact details for 2–3 references.
• A knowledge-security risk assessment is conducted during the final stages of recruitment.