Organisation/Company: ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA
Research Field: Physics
Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
Application Deadline: 10/02/2023 23:00 - Europe/Athens
Location: Italy › MILANO
Type Of Contract: Other
Job Status: Other
Eu Research Framework Programme: H2020 / ERC
Reference Number: GA n. 817794
Commitment & contract: up to 36 months, fixed-term contract
Location: Milan, Italy, CNST
ABOUT US
At IIT we work enthusiastically to develop human-centered Science and
Technology to tackle some of the most pressing societal challenges of our
times and transfer these technologies to the production system and society.
Our Genoa headquarters are strictly interconnected with the other 11 centers
around Italy and two outstations based in the US. We promote excellence in
basic and applied research such as neuroscience and cognition, humanoid
technologies and robotics, nanotechnology, materials for a truly
multidisciplinary scientific experience.
YOUR TEAM
The Vectorial Nano-imaging Research Line (https: // www. iit.it/web/vectorial-
nano-imaging) is led by Dr. Antonio Ambrosio
(https: // www. iit.it/web/guest/people-details/-/people/antonio-ambrosio/) who
joined IIT from Harvard University in 2020.
With the external support of the competitive grant European Research Council
(ERC consolidator grant METAmorphoses, GA n. 817794), the research is
oriented towards three main directions that, although diverse, interestingly
contaminate each other in the lab:
Structured light by means of dielectric optical metasurfaces – After
introducing the first dielectric metasurface q-plate Optics Express 25,
377 (2016) and the metasurface J-plate for the most general spin to
orbital angular momentum conversion Science 358, 896 (2017) while at
Harvard University, Ambrosio's group recently realized arrays of Orbital
Angular momentum lasers. In a recent paper Nature Photonics 16, 359
(2022) they show 100 coupled lasers carrying orbital angular momentum.
More interestingly, the laser network is tuned through the topological
charge of the lasers. Spatial and temporal structuring of light in
amplitude, phase and polarization is the goal of this activity.
Scanning Probe Microscopy of polymeric and 2D materials – The Vectorial
Nano-imaging group is using Scanning Probe microscopy to investigate
polaritonic waves in 2D materials. With respect to the observation of
phonon polaritons that they demonstrated with different optical near-field
techniques in the mid-IR Light: Science and Applications 7:27 (2018);
Science Advances 4:eaat7189 (2018); Science Advances 5:eaav8690
(2019), they have now the possibility to target excitons in
semiconductive 2D materials in the visible and near-IR. Moreover, the
group is also complementing optical nano-spectroscopy with mechanical
analysis at the nanoscale, on polymers and 2D materials, as this recent
paper shows ACS Nano 16, 7589 (2022).
Reconfigurable flat optical devices – This is a research that strongly
involves the unique characteristic of surface structuring in azobenzene-
containing polymers. Antonio Ambrosio discovered and reported the crucial
aspects of such phenomenon years ago Nature Communications 3:989
(2012); Physical Review Letters 110, 146102 (2013). The group is now
exploiting this possibility to create optical devices that are, in fact,
not just tunable but shapeshifting: gratings can tun into lenses and back
into gratings, if and when needed Advanced Materials Interfaces 8,
2101375 (2021); Optics Express 30, 12695 (2022); Laser and Photonics
Reviews 16, 2100514 (2022). Introducing structured light in the
process is the next step to achieve new schemes for several applications,
from optics to microfluidics.
The successful candidate will aim at broadening the already established
research activities and network of the Research Line by pursuing several
directions, among which technology transfer and fundraising activities. He/she
will also be focused on patenting the outcomes of the research activity, as
well as on making and caring of relationships with external Companies.
Moreover, the selected candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to
the activity carried on by the Research Line, by:
Developing nano-fabrication protocols for the realization of nano-
structured devices
Working in cleanroom to fabricate and characterize nano-structured devices
Developing nano-characterization protocols based on advanced microscopy
techniques, including Confocal Microscopy; Atomic Force microscopy,
Scanning Near-field Optical Microscopy
Fostering Academic and Industrial relationships by also implementing,
writing and reporting collaborative projects with National and
International Academic and Industrial partners
Publication and patenting of the research products
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
A PhD in Physics, Nanotechnologies, Photonics, Engineering or related
areas
Proven nano-fabrication skills and backgrounds in optics and photonics
Experience in: Electron Beam Lithography; Photo-lithography; thin film
deposition; Reactive Ion Etching; Atomic Layer Deposition
Proven track record of publications in the relevant technical areas and
projects or proven experience in patents/industrial liaison
The ability to properly report, organize and publish research data
Ability/willingness to integrate within a multidisciplinary international
research group
Excellent communication and leadership skills, strong orientation to
stakeholders
Team player skills with the ability to communicate technical knowledge in
a clear and understandable manner (English language)
Fluency in spoken and written English
ADDITIONAL SKILLS
High motivation to learn
Spirit of innovation and creativity
Good in time and priority management
Ability to work in a challenging and international environment
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a highly
interdisciplinary environment
Experience in using frequency and/or time-domain simulation methods and
related software and CAD suits, including COMSOL Multiphysics, Lumerical –
FDTD
Expertise in management of international and startup projects
Experience in national and international projects, both in the proposal
preparation phase (i.e. proposal writing) and in the project reporting
(i.e. writing of deliverables reports)
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Competitive salary for international standards
Private health care coverage
Wide range of staff discounts
Flexible working time
Candidates from abroad or Italian citizens who permanently work abroad and
meet specific requirements, may be entitled to a deduction from taxable
income of up to 90% from 6 to 13 years.
WHAT'S IN FOR YOU?
An equal, inclusive and multicultural environment ready to welcome you
with open arms. Discrimination is a big NO for us!
We like contamination and encourage you to mingle and discover what other
people are up to in our labs!
If paperwork is not your piece of cake, we got you! There's a specialized
team working to help you with that, especially during your relocation!
If you are a startupper or a business-minded person, you will find some
exceptionally gifted professionals ready to nurture and guide your
attitude and aspirations.
If you want your work to have a real impact, in IIT you will find an
innovative and stimulating culture that drives our mission to contribute
to the improvement and well-being of society!
We stick to our values! Integrity, courage, societal responsibility and
inclusivity are the values we believe in! They define us and our actions
in our everyday life. They guide us to accomplish IIT mission!
If you feel this tickles your appetite for change, do not hesitate and
apply!
Please submit your application using the online form and including:
a detailed CV with a full list of publications, plus a final section
titled “Relevant skills” commenting on the strong points where your CV
matches the required skills (list above),
3 relevant publications/patents,
2-3 pages of research statement in PDF format,
3 evaluation letters from international experts in PDF format.
Application's deadline: February 10th, 2023
We inform you that the information you provide will be used solely for the
purposes of evaluating and selecting professional profiles in order to meet
the requirements of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia.
Your data will be processed by Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, based in
Genoa, Via Morego 30, acting as Data Controller, in compliance with the rules
on protection of personal data, including those related to data security.
Please also note that, pursuant to articles 15 et. seq. of European
Regulation no. 679/2016 (General Data Protection Regulation), you may
exercise your rights at any time by contacting the Data Protection Officer
(phone Tel: +39 010 28961 - email:[email protected] - kindly note that this e-mail
address is exclusively reserved for handling data protection issues. Please,
do not use this e-mail address to send any document and/or request of
information about this opening).
Contact Information
Organisation/Company: ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA
Department: Vectorial Nano-Imaging
Organisation Type: Research Laboratory
Website: https: // www. iit.it/it/openings
E-Mail: [email protected]
Country: Italy
City: MILANO
