Teamleider Elektronica Afdeling

Work Activities
Als Teamleider Elektronica Engineering geef je leiding aan een team van vijf enthousiaste Elektronica Ingenieurs. Je coördineert projecten, stelt prioriteiten en zorgt ervoor dat de technische oplossingen naadloos aansluiten op de behoeften van wetenschappers. Je bent het gezicht van de afdeling en weet binnen de organisatie de juiste verbindingen te leggen. Hoewel je geen specialistische elektronicarol vervult, is ervaring met elektronicaontwerp cruciaal om processen en innovaties binnen de afdeling te kunnen begeleiden.

Waar je aan werkt

• Leidinggeven aan het team van circa vijf Elektronica Ingenieurs, zorgen voor structuur en het begeleiden van hun ontwikkeling;
• Projecten coördineren en prioriteiten stellen, zodat onderzoeksteams tijdig beschikken over de juiste technologie;
• Samenwerken met wetenschappers, vertalen van onderzoeksbehoeften naar een plan van aanpak;
• Procesbewaking en innovatie, zorgen voor de ontwikkeling van hoogwaardige meetapparatuur;
• Budgetbeheer en strategische ontwikkeling van de elektronica-afdeling.

Qualifications

• Hbo/Wo-werk- en denkniveau en ervaring met elektronicaontwerp, waarmee je technische keuzes en risico’s kunt beoordelen;
• Leidinggevende ervaring binnen onderzoek, technisch complexe,- of R&D-omgeving;
• Sterke organisatorische en communicatieve vaardigheden, met een verbindende en oplossingsgerichte aanpak;
• Goede beheersing van Nederlands en Engels, gezien de internationale werkomgeving.
• Affiniteit met analoge elektronica en natuurkunde is een pré.

For this position, we are looking for candidates who are currently based in the Netherlands, speak Dutch, and are able to work on-site at our location.

Work environment
AMOLF en ARCNL zijn vooraanstaande onderzoeksinstituten waar baanbrekend fundamenteel onderzoek wordt verricht. Onderzoekers werken hier met ongeveer 100 experimentele opstellingen die specifiek worden ontwikkeld om complexe fysische experimenten mogelijk te maken. Dit vereist op maat gemaakte meet- en analyseapparatuur, ontworpen en gerealiseerd door een multidisciplinair team van mechanici, elektronici en software engineers.

De afdeling Elektronica Engineering speelt hierin een sleutelrol. Zij ontwikkelen en onderhouden elektronica voor uiterst gevoelige en gespecialiseerde meetapparatuur, die essentieel is voor wetenschappelijk onderzoek op het gebied van Nanolithografie, materiaalanalyse en moleculaire systemen.

Working conditions

• Locatie: Amsterdam Science Park, goed bereikbaar met OV en auto
• Fulltime salaris: Max. €5.758,- bruto per maand + 8,33% eindejaarsuitkering en vakantiegeld;
• 42 vakantiedagen (op fulltime basis);
• Mogelijkheid om 40, 36 of 32 uur per week te werken;
• Flexibele werktijden en hybride werken in overleg;
• Duurzaam perspectief: start met een 2-jarig contract, met daarna de mogelijkheid tot een vaste aanstelling;
• Flexibele arbeidsvoorwaarden (AVOM): bijvoorbeeld extra verlofdagen kopen of verkopen en fiscale voordelen;
• Training en ontwikkeling: training on the job en gerichte cursussen;
• Uitstekende pensioenregeling via ABP;
• Actieve personeelsvereniging; kerstlunch, Sinterklaas, zomer BBQ, of een gezellige pubquiz bijvoorbeeld.

More information?
Ben jij onze nieuwe collega? Werk jij graag in een omgeving waar technologische innovatie en wetenschappelijk onderzoek samenkomen? Solliciteer dan direct via de link: INTRIQ

Liever eerst meer informatie? Neem contact op met Sven Karass via +31 (0)6 820 93 228 of sven@intriq.nl

Application
Solliciteer direct via INTRIQ

Online screening may be part of the selection.

Diversity code
AMOLF and ARCNL are highly committed to an inclusive and diverse work environment: we want to develop talent and creativity by bringing together people from different backgrounds and cultures. We recruit and select on the basis of competencies and talents. We strongly encourage anyone with the right qualifications to apply for the vacancy, regardless of age, gender, origin, sexual orientation or physical ability.

Commercial activities in response to this ad are not appreciated.

PhD-student: Physical Learning in Dynamical Systems

Work Activities
We are seeking a motivated PhD student to join our learning machines group at AMOLF and work on the theory of learning in dynamical physical systems, as part of an ERC Starting Grant project on Physical Learning in Dynamical Systems (PhyLDS).

Learning is often viewed as a computational process that takes place in brains or computers. Yet many physical systems, from biological networks to adaptive materials, continuously modify their behavior based on past experience. Despite the ubiquity of such adaptive phenomena, physics still lacks a general understanding of how learning emerges in dynamical systems that operate far from equilibrium.

In this project, we will develop a new theoretical framework for learning in physical systems with time-dependent dynamics. Unlike conventional machine learning algorithms, these systems learn through local interactions and physical feedback, without centralized optimization or backpropagation. We will investigate how learning is constrained by locality, causality, non-reciprocity, and dissipation, and how these constraints shape the ability of matter to learn.

The project combines analytical theory with large-scale numerical simulations. We will study diverse classes of adaptive dynamical networks, including flow networks, mechanical networks, and neuronal systems. A central goal is to identify the physical principles that govern learning in these systems, including scaling laws, phase diagrams, and fundamental limits.

The PhD student will contribute to:

• Developing local learning rules for dynamical physical systems;
• Comparing physical learning approaches to idealized gradient-based methods;
• Investigating when and why physical learning succeeds or fails;
• Exploring the role of feedback, non-equilibrium dynamics, and task complexity in learning;
• Developing efficient simulation tools for adaptive dynamical networks;
• Identifying scaling laws, phase boundaries, and universal features of learning in matter.

The project offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of condensed matter physics, non-equilibrium statistical mechanics, complex systems, machine learning, and biological physics. The successful candidate will help establish a new physics of adaptive matter and contribute to a growing international research effort aimed at understanding learning as a physical phenomenon.

For more information about our work, see:

[1] Stern and Murugan, Learning without neurons in physical systems, Ann Rev Cond Matt Phys 14, 417 (2023)

[2] Stern, Hexner, Rocks and Liu, Supervised learning in physical networks: From machine learning to learning machines, Phys. Rev. X 11, 021045 (2021)

[3] Stern, Frim, Candás, Liu and Balasubramanian, Contrastive learning in tunable dynamical system, arXiv:2603.26969 (2026)

Qualifications
We seek candidates with a strong background in physics, mechanical engineering, materials science, or computer science with an interest in learning theory, broadly defined, condensed matter and complex systems. Excellent candidates with training in any area of science or engineering will be considered. PhD candidates must meet the requirements for an MSc degree. Good verbal and written communication skills in English are required. Other advantageous qualities include experience with coding (Python\Matlab) and numerical methods, as well as familiarity with concepts in complex dynamical systems, physical memories or machine learning. We strongly believe in the benefits of an inclusive and diverse research environment, and welcome applicants with any background.

Work environment
AMOLF is a part of NWO-I and initiate and performs leading fundamental research on the physics of complex forms of matter, and to create new functional materials, in partnership with academia and industry. The institute is located at Amsterdam Science Park and currently employs about 140 researchers and 80 support employees. www.amolf.nl

The Learning Machines group is a new group at AMOLF, led by Menachem (Nachi) Stern, and focuses on the development of fundamental understanding and theories regarding learning, from a physical perspective, under real world constraints.

Our group members work closely together with extensive support from the group leader and AMOLF resources in all aspects of design, realization, and interpretation of computational models of physical learning systems. We have a strong focus on stimulating development of students in all professional aspects, as well as collaborations with other researchers at our institute and beyond. Moreover, we work closely together with international groups and companies.

Working conditions

• The working atmosphere at the institute is largely determined by young, enthusiastic, mostly foreign employees. Communication is informal and runs through short lines of communication.
• The position is intended as full-time (40 hours / week, 12 months / year) appointment in the service of the Netherlands Foundation of Scientific Research Institutes (NWO-I) for the duration of four years
• The starting salary is 3.115 Euro’s gross per month and a range of employment benefits.
• After successful completion of the PhD research a PhD degree will be granted at a Dutch University.
• Several courses are offered, specially developed for PhD-students.
• AMOLF assists any new foreign PhD-student with housing and visa applications and compensates their transport costs and furnishing expenses.

More information?
For further information about the position, please contact:

Dr. Menachem Stern

E-mail: stern@amolf.nl

Application
You can respond to this vacancy online via the button below.

Online screening may be part of the selection.

Diversity code
AMOLF is highly committed to an inclusive and diverse work environment: we want to develop talent and creativity by bringing together people from different backgrounds and cultures. We recruit and select on the basis of competencies and talents. We strongly encourage anyone with the right qualifications to apply for the vacancy, regardless of age, gender, origin, sexual orientation or physical ability.

AMOLF has won the NNV Diversity Award 2022, which is awarded every two years by the Netherlands Physical Society for demonstrating the most successful implementation of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI).

Commercial activities in response to this ad are not appreciated.

PhD-student: Physical Learning in Dynamical Systems

Work Activities
We are seeking a motivated PhD student to join our learning machines group at AMOLF and work on the theory of learning in dynamical physical systems, as part of an ERC Starting Grant project on Physical Learning in Dynamical Systems (PhyLDS).

Learning is often viewed as a computational process that takes place in brains or computers. Yet many physical systems, from biological networks to adaptive materials, continuously modify their behavior based on past experience. Despite the ubiquity of such adaptive phenomena, physics still lacks a general understanding of how learning emerges in dynamical systems that operate far from equilibrium.

In this project, we will develop a new theoretical framework for learning in physical systems with time-dependent dynamics. Unlike conventional machine learning algorithms, these systems learn through local interactions and physical feedback, without centralized optimization or backpropagation. We will investigate how learning is constrained by locality, causality, non-reciprocity, and dissipation, and how these constraints shape the ability of matter to learn.

The project combines analytical theory with large-scale numerical simulations. We will study diverse classes of adaptive dynamical networks, including flow networks, mechanical networks, and neuronal systems. A central goal is to identify the physical principles that govern learning in these systems, including scaling laws, phase diagrams, and fundamental limits.

The PhD student will contribute to:

• Developing local learning rules for dynamical physical systems;
• Comparing physical learning approaches to idealized gradient-based methods;
• Investigating when and why physical learning succeeds or fails;
• Exploring the role of feedback, non-equilibrium dynamics, and task complexity in learning;
• Developing efficient simulation tools for adaptive dynamical networks;
• Identifying scaling laws, phase boundaries, and universal features of learning in matter.

The project offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of condensed matter physics, non-equilibrium statistical mechanics, complex systems, machine learning, and biological physics. The successful candidate will help establish a new physics of adaptive matter and contribute to a growing international research effort aimed at understanding learning as a physical phenomenon.

For more information about our work, see:

[1] Stern and Murugan, Learning without neurons in physical systems, Ann Rev Cond Matt Phys 14, 417 (2023)

[2] Stern, Hexner, Rocks and Liu, Supervised learning in physical networks: From machine learning to learning machines, Phys. Rev. X 11, 021045 (2021)

[3] Stern, Frim, Candás, Liu and Balasubramanian, Contrastive learning in tunable dynamical system, arXiv:2603.26969 (2026)

Qualifications
We seek candidates with a strong background in physics, mechanical engineering, materials science, or computer science with an interest in learning theory, broadly defined, condensed matter and complex systems. Excellent candidates with training in any area of science or engineering will be considered. PhD candidates must meet the requirements for an MSc degree. Good verbal and written communication skills in English are required. Other advantageous qualities include experience with coding (Python\Matlab) and numerical methods, as well as familiarity with concepts in complex dynamical systems, physical memories or machine learning. We strongly believe in the benefits of an inclusive and diverse research environment, and welcome applicants with any background.

Work environment
AMOLF is a part of NWO-I and initiate and performs leading fundamental research on the physics of complex forms of matter, and to create new functional materials, in partnership with academia and industry. The institute is located at Amsterdam Science Park and currently employs about 140 researchers and 80 support employees. www.amolf.nl

The Learning Machines group is a new group at AMOLF, led by Menachem (Nachi) Stern, and focuses on the development of fundamental understanding and theories regarding learning, from a physical perspective, under real world constraints.

Our group members work closely together with extensive support from the group leader and AMOLF resources in all aspects of design, realization, and interpretation of computational models of physical learning systems. We have a strong focus on stimulating development of students in all professional aspects, as well as collaborations with other researchers at our institute and beyond. Moreover, we work closely together with international groups and companies.

Working conditions

• The working atmosphere at the institute is largely determined by young, enthusiastic, mostly foreign employees. Communication is informal and runs through short lines of communication.
• The position is intended as full-time (40 hours / week, 12 months / year) appointment in the service of the Netherlands Foundation of Scientific Research Institutes (NWO-I) for the duration of four years
• The starting salary is 3.115 Euro’s gross per month and a range of employment benefits.
• After successful completion of the PhD research a PhD degree will be granted at a Dutch University.
• Several courses are offered, specially developed for PhD-students.
• AMOLF assists any new foreign PhD-student with housing and visa applications and compensates their transport costs and furnishing expenses.

More information?
For further information about the position, please contact:

Dr. Menachem Stern

E-mail: stern@amolf.nl

Application
You can respond to this vacancy online via the button below.

Online screening may be part of the selection.

Diversity code
AMOLF is highly committed to an inclusive and diverse work environment: we want to develop talent and creativity by bringing together people from different backgrounds and cultures. We recruit and select on the basis of competencies and talents. We strongly encourage anyone with the right qualifications to apply for the vacancy, regardless of age, gender, origin, sexual orientation or physical ability.

AMOLF has won the NNV Diversity Award 2022, which is awarded every two years by the Netherlands Physical Society for demonstrating the most successful implementation of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI).

Commercial activities in response to this ad are not appreciated.

PhD- student: Harnessing phase transitions for optical information processing

Work Activities
This PhD project will investigate how phase transitions can be harnessed for information processing with light. Near a continuous phase transition, the susceptibility of a material can increase strongly. This allows weak input signals to generate large responses, which can in turn reduce the optical energy required for an operation. However, critical slowing down and enhanced fluctuations may limit processing speed and accuracy. The main objective of this PhD project is to quantify this trade-off between energy consumption, speed and accuracy in information processing near a phase transition, and to determine how it depends on properties of the signal such as amplitude and bandwidth.

The project builds on a recent work by the host group [Keijsers et al., Nature Photon. 19, 733 (2025)], where signatures of a phase transition were observed in the nonlinear response of a laser-driven optical cavity containing a perovskite crystal. The first objective is to characterize the spectral and temporal response of this system near the transition, which is expected to include memory effects and strong fluctuations. Next, controlled time-dependent signals and benchmark optical information-processing operations will be used to compare performance at different distances from the phase transition. Experiments will be combined with theoretical modelling, statistical data analysis, and numerical simulations to identify the governing mechanisms and to determine whether and how proximity to a phase transition offers an advantage for processing certain signals. The project is primarily experimental and will involve optical cavity measurements, materials characterization and, where needed, nanofabrication. Its expected outcome is an experimentally tested framework for designing photonic information-processing systems that exploit phase-transition physics.

Qualifications
You have an MSc degree in physics, optics, photonics, nanoscience, or a related field. Laboratory experience in optics or photonics is preferable but not strictly necessary. A background in, or strong interest in, one or more of the following areas is valued: nonlinear dynamics, condensed-matter physics, and stochastic processes. The ideal candidate is an experimentalist who enjoys not only setting up and performing complex experiments, but also thinking deeply about the results and modelling them. Applicants are not expected to bring expertise in all listed areas; the required methods will be learned during the project.

This is a collaborative project between AMOLF and Utrecht University. Your host will be the Interacting Photons group led by Prof. Said R. K. Rodriguez at AMOLF, but you will also work part time at Utrecht University with Prof. Allard Mosk and his group. We are therefore looking for someone who has the personal and communication skills required to connect two groups at different locations (half hour away), besides being able to work independently. The appointment also includes a contribution to teaching at Utrecht University and participation in the relevant training programs.

Work environment
AMOLF is a part of NWO-I and initiate and performs leading fundamental research on the physics of complex forms of matter, and to create new functional materials, in partnership with academia and industry. The institute is located at Amsterdam Science Park and currently employs about 140 researchers and 80 support employees. www.amolf.nl

In the Interacting Photons group, we search for new physics emerging from photon interactions. As a testbed for new ideas, we use nonlinear nanophotonic resonators. We are driven by fundamental physics questions relevant to improve the energy efficiency, speed, and precision of optical technologies such as novel sensors and computers.

Working conditions

• The working atmosphere at the institute is largely determined by young, enthusiastic, mostly foreign employees. Communication is informal and runs through short lines of communication.
• The position is intended as full-time (40 hours / week, 12 months / year) appointment in the service of the Netherlands Foundation of Scientific Research Institutes (NWO-I) for the duration of four years
• The starting salary is 3.115 Euro’s gross per month and a range of employment benefits.
• After successful completion of the PhD research a PhD degree will be granted at a Dutch University.
• Several courses are offered, specially developed for PhD-students.
• AMOLF assists any new foreign PhD-student with housing and visa applications and compensates their transport costs and furnishing expenses.

More information?
For further information about the position, please contact Said R.K. Rodriguez: s.rodriguez@amolf.nl

Application
You can respond to this vacancy online via the button below.

Online screening may be part of the selection.

Diversity code
AMOLF is highly committed to an inclusive and diverse work environment: we want to develop talent and creativity by bringing together people from different backgrounds and cultures. We recruit and select on the basis of competencies and talents. We strongly encourage anyone with the right qualifications to apply for the vacancy, regardless of age, gender, origin, sexual orientation or physical ability.

AMOLF has won the NNV Diversity Award 2022, which is awarded every two years by the Netherlands Physical Society for demonstrating the most successful implementation of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI).

Commercial activities in response to this ad are not appreciated.

PhD- student: Harnessing phase transitions for optical information processing

Work Activities
This PhD project will investigate how phase transitions can be harnessed for information processing with light. Near a continuous phase transition, the susceptibility of a material can increase strongly. This allows weak input signals to generate large responses, which can in turn reduce the optical energy required for an operation. However, critical slowing down and enhanced fluctuations may limit processing speed and accuracy. The main objective of this PhD project is to quantify this trade-off between energy consumption, speed and accuracy in information processing near a phase transition, and to determine how it depends on properties of the signal such as amplitude and bandwidth.

The project builds on a recent work by the host group [Keijsers et al., Nature Photon. 19, 733 (2025)], where signatures of a phase transition were observed in the nonlinear response of a laser-driven optical cavity containing a perovskite crystal. The first objective is to characterize the spectral and temporal response of this system near the transition, which is expected to include memory effects and strong fluctuations. Next, controlled time-dependent signals and benchmark optical information-processing operations will be used to compare performance at different distances from the phase transition. Experiments will be combined with theoretical modelling, statistical data analysis, and numerical simulations to identify the governing mechanisms and to determine whether and how proximity to a phase transition offers an advantage for processing certain signals. The project is primarily experimental and will involve optical cavity measurements, materials characterization and, where needed, nanofabrication. Its expected outcome is an experimentally tested framework for designing photonic information-processing systems that exploit phase-transition physics.

Qualifications
You have an MSc degree in physics, optics, photonics, nanoscience, or a related field. Laboratory experience in optics or photonics is preferable but not strictly necessary. A background in, or strong interest in, one or more of the following areas is valued: nonlinear dynamics, condensed-matter physics, and stochastic processes. The ideal candidate is an experimentalist who enjoys not only setting up and performing complex experiments, but also thinking deeply about the results and modelling them. Applicants are not expected to bring expertise in all listed areas; the required methods will be learned during the project.

This is a collaborative project between AMOLF and Utrecht University. Your host will be the Interacting Photons group led by Prof. Said R. K. Rodriguez at AMOLF, but you will also work part time at Utrecht University with Prof. Allard Mosk and his group. We are therefore looking for someone who has the personal and communication skills required to connect two groups at different locations (half hour away), besides being able to work independently. The appointment also includes a contribution to teaching at Utrecht University and participation in the relevant training programs.

Work environment
AMOLF is a part of NWO-I and initiate and performs leading fundamental research on the physics of complex forms of matter, and to create new functional materials, in partnership with academia and industry. The institute is located at Amsterdam Science Park and currently employs about 140 researchers and 80 support employees. www.amolf.nl

In the Interacting Photons group, we search for new physics emerging from photon interactions. As a testbed for new ideas, we use nonlinear nanophotonic resonators. We are driven by fundamental physics questions relevant to improve the energy efficiency, speed, and precision of optical technologies such as novel sensors and computers.

Working conditions

• The working atmosphere at the institute is largely determined by young, enthusiastic, mostly foreign employees. Communication is informal and runs through short lines of communication.
• The position is intended as full-time (40 hours / week, 12 months / year) appointment in the service of the Netherlands Foundation of Scientific Research Institutes (NWO-I) for the duration of four years
• The starting salary is 3.115 Euro’s gross per month and a range of employment benefits.
• After successful completion of the PhD research a PhD degree will be granted at a Dutch University.
• Several courses are offered, specially developed for PhD-students.
• AMOLF assists any new foreign PhD-student with housing and visa applications and compensates their transport costs and furnishing expenses.

More information?
For further information about the position, please contact Said R.K. Rodriguez: s.rodriguez@amolf.nl

Application
You can respond to this vacancy online via the button below.

Online screening may be part of the selection.

Diversity code
AMOLF is highly committed to an inclusive and diverse work environment: we want to develop talent and creativity by bringing together people from different backgrounds and cultures. We recruit and select on the basis of competencies and talents. We strongly encourage anyone with the right qualifications to apply for the vacancy, regardless of age, gender, origin, sexual orientation or physical ability.

AMOLF has won the NNV Diversity Award 2022, which is awarded every two years by the Netherlands Physical Society for demonstrating the most successful implementation of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI).

Commercial activities in response to this ad are not appreciated.