Doctoral Candidate position SPARK MSCA Doctoral Network

About this position

UAM is recruiting one doctoral canditate (DC) to work in the Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network (DN) “SPARK” (HORIZON-MSCA-2025-DN-01-01), devoted to spatiotemporal metamaterials and structured light fields.

The goal of SPARK is to train a top-class cohort of 15 DCs, that will become the future R&D staff within the area of spatiotemporal metamaterials and light fields. We will create and consolidate links between strategic industry partners and leading academic partners including Eindhoven University of Technology (coordinator), Umeå University, INESC MN (Lisbon), Université de Namur, Universidad Pública de Navarra, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and Imperial College London by means of common engagement in research and training courses. This will result in the new understanding of nature and creation of new photonic technologies based on spatiotemporal metamaterials and structured light.

DC2: Beyond Nonlinear Optics with Time-Varying Metamaterials

Doctoral position at the Department of Condensed Matter Physics Theory at Autónoma University of Madrid, Spain

Main supervisor: Paloma Arroyo Huidobro

Co-supervisors/mentors: Riccardo Sapienza (ICL)

Objectives:

• Develop first-principles theoretical models describing time-varying metamaterial responses
• Investigate the boundaries of amplification and non-frequency-conserving processes in these systems
• Provide theoretical support connecting nonlinear optics with spatiotemporal modulation experiments

During the thesis, the candidate will develop multidisciplinary skills on nanophotonics theory, metamaterials design, experimental realization and characterization, gained through secondments at Imperial College London (ICL) and an industry internship at JCMwave.

→ Go to the project webpage for more information

What SPARK Offers:

• Gross salary starting on 3.100€/month, with potential for additional funding depending on your family status.
• 36 months funded through the SPARK MSCA network, with the additional benefits for employees.
• 6-month research stay at ICL (United Kingdom) and 3-month internship at JCMwave.
• Training program including research-specific and transferable skills courses.
• Active participation in workshops, conferences, and network-wide events to build professional and scientific connections.
• Stimulating, multidisciplinary, and international research environment within a prestigious European training network.

Starting date: February 2026.

Mandatory Requirements:

• Master’s degree in fields of Applied Physics, Optics, Electrical Engineering, Material Engineering etc.
• You should not have a doctoral degree at the time of recruitment.
• You must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Spain for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment (this is a requirement from the funding authority).
• Strong skills in the English language.

To apply: Get in touch at spark@uam.es

Applications will close on November 17th 2026.