Assistant Professor (fixed-term) in Experimental Nanophotonics and Quantum Optics

The Niels Bohr Institute (NBI), University of Copenhagen, invites applications for a fixed-term Assistant Professor position in experimental nanophotonics and quantum optics, in the group of Professor Maiken H. Mikkelsen. The position is for four years, open from as soon as possible; a later start in 2027 can be negotiated.

Professor Mikkelsen's group studies how light and matter interact when light is confined to nanometre-scale volumes. Using plasmonic nanocavities — metallic nanogaps fabricated deterministically around a chosen emitter — the group reaches a regime far beyond the reach of conventional optical cavities: Purcell factors above 10,000, single-photon emission at telecom wavelengths with lifetimes of tens of picoseconds at room temperature, and second-harmonic generation enhanced more than ten-million-fold in materials with no bulk second-order nonlinearity. In this regime, light–matter behaviour appears that was not previously thought possible, and the group's experiments are increasingly directed at the nonlinear and ultrafast optics it opens up. Experiments combine nanofabrication, single-photon and photon-correlation spectroscopy, cryogenic magneto-optics and ultrafast pump–probe optics. The group has recently relocated from Duke University to NBI, supported by a DKK 35 million RECRUIT award from the Novo Nordisk Foundation, and is establishing a laboratory in NBI's new building. Recent work: https://mikkelsenphotonics.com.

The Assistant Professor will lead an independent research direction within the group’s programme on light–matter interaction in nanocavities. Directions of particular interest include:

• Cavity QED with few emitters — strong coupling with exactly one, two or several quantum emitters in deterministically fabricated nanogaps, the crossover from room-temperature to cryogenic strong coupling, collective emission, and quantum light generation from nanocavity-coupled emitters

• Quantum and two-dimensional materials in nanogaps — out-of-plane excitations (interlayer excitons, dark excitons, trions) coupled to the vertical field of a nanogap at cryogenic temperatures and in vector magnetic fields; optically dressed states of 2D semiconductors and magnets driven inside a nanogap and read out by single-cavity ultrafast spectroscopy

• Ultrafast and nonlinear nanophotonics — time-resolved experiments on single nanocavities, including single-nanocavity pump–probe spectroscopy, harmonic generation in nanoscale volumes, time-varying cavities, and forbidden and two-photon transitions opened by field gradients

Candidates are expected to define their own experimental programme within this scope, and proposals that cut across these directions are welcome.

This is a leadership position for an early-career scientist ready for independence. The Assistant Professor will be the senior scientist in the group alongside Professor Mikkelsen, with day-to-day responsibility for one research direction and its students. The successful candidate will take scientific ownership of the group's new cryogenic and ultrafast facilities, including a 1.7 K cryostat with a vector magnet and a tunable femtosecond laser system, co-supervise PhD and master's students, and develop their own funding portfolio, with active support from the group and the institute. They will be supported in applying as principal investigator for Danish and European early-career grants, and the position includes a dedicated budget line for a student and consumables. The group fabricates its cavities in the NBI cleanroom and at DTU Nanolab, Denmark's national nanofabrication centre.

We seek an outstanding experimentalist, typically three to seven years after the PhD, with a strong publication record, demonstrated independence, and hands-on expertise in several of: nanophotonics, cavity QED or plasmonics; quantum optics and photon-correlation measurements; cryogenic optical and magneto-optical spectroscopy; ultrafast pump–probe spectroscopy; nanofabrication. Expertise in the exfoliation, transfer, assembly and encapsulation of van der Waals heterostructures, including gated devices, is an asset. Experience supervising students and an interest in teaching are expected. The group is simultaneously recruiting postdoctoral researchers; candidates may apply to both positions.

The position is a fixed-term appointment of four years, funded by external research grants, and is not tenure-track. The objective is that the successful candidate concludes the appointment with an established research direction, an independent funding record, and a strong case for a permanent position at the University of Copenhagen or elsewhere.

The assistant professor’s duties will primarily include research, including obligations with regard to publication/scientific communication and research-based teaching with associated examination obligations within quantum optics and photonics. To a limited extent this may also include performance of other duties.

Assessment of applicants will primarily consider their level of documented, internationally competitive research. The ability to attract external funding will be considered together with outreach qualifications. Teaching qualifications are not mandatory but documented teaching qualifications and teaching experience will be considered.


General criteria apply to the appointment of Assistant Professors at the University of Copenhagen. The criteria (research, teaching, innovation & societal impact, organizational contribution and leadership) are considered as a framework for an overall assessment of the applicant. In addition, each applicant will be assessed according to the specific requirements listed in this advertisement.

For Assistant professors: https://jobportal.ku.dk/videnskabelige-stillinger/kriterier-for-videnskabelige-stillinger/kriterier-for-meritering-maj-2026/5a_Criteria_for_recognising_merit_-Assistant_professors.pdf.

Applicants are encouraged to read the University of Copenhagen's Guidance on the merit criterion Innovation and Societal Impact here



Further information on the Department is linked at https://nbi.ku.dk/english/. Informal inquiries about the position are welcome and can be made to Professor Maiken H. Mikkelsen maiken.mikkelsen@nbi.ku.dk

The position is for four years, and open from as soon as possible; a later start in 2027 can be negotiated.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Terms of employment
The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

Negotiation for salary supplement is possible. You can read more about salary levels in the state sector www.loenoverblik.dk (in Danish).

The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

When you will be affiliated with the University of Copenhagen or otherwise have access to their research, you may be required to undergo a background screening. The purpose is to protect the security and research integrity of the University of Copenhagen.

Please include

• Curriculum vitae

• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)

• Research plan – description of current and future research plans (max 3 pages)

• If available, description and documentation of teaching and supervision experience and qualifications - please describe and document:

  • Experience with supervision of BSc and MSc students

  • Teaching experience

  • Formal pedagogical training

• Complete publication list

• Separate reprints of 5 particularly relevant papers

• Names and contact details of two or three references

The deadline for applications is 5 January 2027, 23:59 GMT +1.

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.

You can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Interviews are not yet scheduled.

Please refer to the following no. in future communication in this case: 211-0602/26-2A.