2024 Summer jobs at the Department of Applied Physics
The Department of Applied Physics is offering multiple summer employee positions for summer 2024 in theoretical, computational and experimental physics. We are looking for BSc or MSc degree students at Aalto or some other university to work with us. Many of the department's summer employee positions make it possible to facilitate reporting for your studies (such as bachelor’s thesis and special assignments). There are twenty-one research groups in total, and you can apply to work in up to five of these.
The application period is open and the deadline for applications is January 25. Please submit your application through our recruitment system: Summer Employee positions 2024 at the Department of Applied Physics | Aalto University
Please include the following documents in your application
- CV
- Motivation letter including possible project preferences within the research group (Please note! Only one motivation letter is necessary, even though you would apply to several groups/projects – state them in the same letter.)
- Up-to-date transcript of study records
Interviews will take place between Jan 26 and Feb 12, and selected candidates will be contacted with job offers starting from February 13 at the earliest. In general questions regarding the process, please contact Hanna Multisilta from the HR team and in project specific questions, please contact the person in charge of the project. All emails are [email protected].
The department will arrange two info sessions about summer job positions where you can come meet the research groups and hear details about the projects. The info sessions will be held at Nanotalo-building (Puumiehenkuja 2) on Tuesday Jan 16 at 14-15:30 and Wednesday Jan 17 at 12-13:30. The full schedule is available below in PDF.
To read about summer internship opportunities at the Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, please check out: NBE Summer jobs 2024 | Aalto University
To read about summer internship opportunities at the Department of Mathematicsand Systems Analysis, please check out: Summer employee positions 2024 at the Department of Mathematics and Systems Analysis | Aalto University
To read about the AScI international summer research programme directed to international students, please check out: Aalto Science Institute (AScI) international summer research programme 2024 | Aalto University
Research groups offering internships in alphabetical order according to group name
Group leader: Jaakko Timonen
Active Matter group carries out experimental research in the field of soft matter physics, especially related to non-equilibrium pattern formation and active matter. We combine methods from physics, chemistry and biology to create and study systems of multidisciplinary relevance. Students who have solid understanding of physics and interest in basic research of multidisciplinary nature (physics, chemistry, biology) might find our projects appealing.
Offered projects (all experimental):
- Electrohydrodynamics
- Electrokinetic instabilities
- Microscale ferrohydrodynamics
- Bacterial turbulence
- Bioconvection patterns in microalgae suspensions
- Phase transitions of protein solutions
- Direct imaging of aerosol dynamics
More information here.
Group leader: Peter Liljeroth
Offered project:
- Molecular-beam epitaxy growth of transition metal dichalcogenide heterostructures
We are looking for enthusiastic students to work with us on an experimental project involving growth of heterostructures of two-dimensional materials with molecular-beam epitaxy (MBE). The project involves operation of ultra-high vacuum sample growth and characterization facilities (e.g. STM, AFM, XPS). They are carried out as a part of a team and can constitute a bachelor’s thesis, a special assignment, or master’s thesis.
More details can be found here.
Group leader: Mikko Alava
The group offers summer projects in both experimental and computational physics as well as commercial projects.
Experimental:
- Manufacturing layered biobased particles
- Characterization of the acoustic properties of cellulose-based foam materials
- Rheological properties of particle laden fluids
- Deformation of materials
- Fatigue crack growth
- Experimental observation of cognitive living systems
- Characterization of solid materials
- Data-driven rheology of viscoelastic materials
- Material testing
Computational:
- Speed up of material design and development with artificial intelligence
- Machine learning crystal plasticity
- Specimen reconstruction as a Bayesian inference or Inverse problem
- Specimen reconstruction using machine learning
Commercial:
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From personal assistant to CEO in two years
More details can be found here.
Group leader: Jose Lado
Contact info: [email protected]
Offered projects:
- Hamiltonian learning van der Waals moire quantum matter: In this project, you will create a machine-learning algorithm that allows you to identify the correlated state of a twisted van der Waals material directly from its spectroscopic data. You will show that a machine learning methodology trained on simulated correlated moire materials allows inferring the symmetry breaking of the ground state and extracting the effective Hamiltonian of the system. For this project, you will combine quantum many-body solvers for moire systems, together with a deep learning architecture to extract the Hamiltonian of the quantum material.
- Machine learning fractional quantum magnets: In this project, you will develop a machine-learning algorithm to detect fractional quantum excitations in a quantum many-body model for a quantum spin liquid. You will show that a machine learning methodology allows inferring entangled modes directly from dynamical spectroscopy. This will be performed by solving the many-body Hamiltonian with an exact computational many-body formalism and combined with a deep neural network architecture. You will show how fractional excitations can be directly inferred from experimental measurements.
More details can be found here.
Group leader: Mathias Groth
The Fusion and Plasma Physics research group is seeking to recruit interested and motivated students for the summer 2024 period. We offer topics suitable both for Bachelor’s theses and special assignments, potentially leading to Master’s theses.
Offered projects:
- Neutral gas transport in the JET sub-divertor
- Impurity transport in JET
- ASCOT5 modeling of TCV tokamak in IMAS
- Scrape-off layer conditions in ASDEX Upgrade helium plasmas
More details can be found here.
Group leader: Matilda Backholm
Contact info: [email protected]
The Living Matter group conducts curiosity-driven physics research on the mechanics, dynamics, and flow of tiny living organisms. In this summer project, you will study forces in living systems. You will be trained to use the micropipette force sensor technique (M. Backholm et al., Nature Protocols 2019: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41596-018-0110-x), perform hands-on experiments, analyse your data in MATLAB, and present your results during our group meetings. The research topic will be tuned based on your skills, experience, and interests. We welcome motivated students with a genuine interest in working in a living matter physics lab. This project can constitute a BSc thesis, special assignment, or parts of a MSc thesis.
Offered projects:
- Escape response in Paramecium
- Swimming forces of Artemia
- Swimming forces of Stentor
- Mechanical properties of microscopic roots
More details can be found here.
Group leader: Olli Ikkala
Contact info - [email protected] and [email protected]
Offered project:
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Ultrasmall luminescent metal nanoclusters
A master’s thesis position in noble metal nanoclusters (NCs)-based photosensitizers is available at Molecular Materials group for six months.
Atomically precise metal NCs are the ultrasmall assemblies of metal atoms, typically in the range of 1-2 nm. Considerable attention has been drawn to the fundamental properties and potential applications of such ultrasmall NCs, owing to their high surface area and intrinsic optical properties in bridging the functional gap between molecules and larger plasmonic nanoparticles. We are looking for a master’s student to work with us on NCs synthesis, characterizations and needed for the fabrication of NCs-polymer nanocomposites.
We offer a high-tech working environment, with challenging and interesting topics related to chemical synthesis, advanced materials, photochemistry, photophysics and microscopy. In return, we would like the student to have:
- Suitable studies (experimental) in related fields such as materials science, nanotechnology, and chemistry.
- Excellent study record.
- Good English & team working skills.
Preferable estimated start date: 15th Feb 2024.
Group leader: Tapio Ala-Nissilä
Contact info: [email protected]
The MSP group is part of the Quantum Technology Finland Center of Excellence, and we are looking for motivated and talented students to join us for summer research in 2024. We have multiple projects for BSc and MSc students. We expect the students to have some understanding of quantum physics, statistical mechanics and thermodynamics. Knowledge of one or more numerical tools (like Mathematica, MATLAB/Python) is an advantage, but not necessary. We can offer several types of projects in different subfields of physics and applied mathematics depending on the background, experience and interest of the student.
Offered projects:
- Thermodynamics of Open Quantum Systems
- Computational Studies on Biological Systems
- Efficient Numerical Solvers for Stochastic Nonlinear PDEs
More details can be found here.
Group leader: Sebastiaan van Dijken
Offered projects:
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Magnon-phonon coupling in suspended YIG bridges
Contact: Dr. Lukas Flajsman ([email protected]) and Prof. Sebastiaan van Dijken ([email protected])
The project focuses on extending the functionalities of magnonic systems by coupling magnon excitations to micromechanical oscillations (phonons) in suspended yttrium iron garnet (YIG) bridges. Learning outcomes: Thin film deposition techniques (pulsed laser deposition), nanofabrication (optical and e-beam lithography), device characterization (broadband spin-wave spectroscopy and time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr effect microscopy). Milestone: Demonstration of magnon-phonon coupling by co-excitation and time-resolved optical imaging.
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Reservoir computing with lithium-ion controlled magnetism
Contact: Dr. Rhodri Mansell ([email protected]) and Prof. Sebastiaan van Dijken ([email protected])
The project studies voltage control of topological magnetic particles known as skyrmions using a solid-state lithium-ion battery technology for applications in reservoir computing. Learning outcomes: Multilayer film growth (magnetron sputtering), fabrication of crossbar junctions (laser-writing lithography), transport measurements (cyclic voltammograms, galvanostatic charge-discharge measurements, chronoamperometry), magnetic characterization under applied voltage (magneto-optical Kerr effect microscopy), micromagnetic simulations (MuMax3), and characterization of reservoir computing tasks. Milestone: Demonstration of reservoir computing using voltage control of magnetic skyrmions.
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Neuromorphic X perceptions
Contact: Dr. Hongwei Tan ([email protected]) and Prof. Sebastiaan van Dijken ([email protected])
The project aims at the development of neuromorphic multisensory perceptions, such as observational learning, by integrating new sensors, memristive devices, optoelectronic devices, as well as machine learning algorithms in hardware-software hybrid systems. Learning outcomes: Neuromorphic system design, integration, nanofabrication, and characterization. Machine learning.
More details can be found here.
Group leader: Esko Kauppinen
Are you interested in the synthesis of carbon nanomaterials and their use as efficient catalysts for hydrogen production? If so, NMG offers a perfect opportunity for you!
NMG is offering summer projects in the synthesis of carbon nanotubes for green hydrogen generation.
Project overview and information:
- Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) synthesis: Design and development of various catalyst systems to synthesize CNTs with tailored characteristics.
- Characterization of CNTs: To conduct and perform different physicochemical analysis techniques to investigate the structure and morphology of synthesized CNTs.
- Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance: Preparation of CNTs-based electrocatalysts for HER activity, and to explore the effect of structure, doping, surface functionalization, and active centers/sites on the performance, stability, and efficiency of HER.
Email: [email protected]
Group leader: Peter Lund
The New Energy Technologies group of the Department of Applied Physics works in the field of renewable energy technologies. In the summer of 2024, the group offers a summer internship position on electrically and thermally conducting textiles.
Offered project:
- Screen-printing and electro-thermal impedance imaging of electrically heating textiles. The bachelor's thesis project focuses on developing screen-printable electrically conducting textile coatings for electro-thermal applications. The work is done in close collaboration with the project team from the New Energy Technologies group and the Textile Chemistry group of the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems. The topic can be tailored to the student’s interests and skills.
The position is for a student in the Bachelor programme of Engineering Physics who would prepare a Bachelor's thesis based on the results of the summer work.
Contact: [email protected], +358503441695
More details can be found here.
Group leader: Andrea Sand
The Nuclear Materials and Engineering group uses computational methods to study the transport of energetic particles in matter and the formation of radiation-induced damage in materials for nuclear applications and other high-irradiation environments. Energetic neutrons and ions collide with atoms in the target materials, causing displacement damage in the crystalline structure, which often leads to degradation of both the physical and mechanical properties of the material. The mechanisms of energy dissipation during the initial impact influences the damage formation. Our work ranges from studying the energy dissipation pathways, to investigating the structure and properties of the defects that are formed, using a range of atomistic simulation techniques.
During the summer of 2024 we are looking for motivated students to work on the following projects:
- Effects of electronic conductivity on damage formation and defect morphology in metals (involves large scale simulations, suitable as BSc/MSc thesis work)
- Electronic structure calculations of radiation-induced defects in semiconductors
More details can be found here.
Group leader: Andriy Shevchenko ([email protected])
Photonics is one of the fastest growing high-tech industries in the world. What is still today achieved by transmitting and manipulating electrons, will tomorrow be obtained by harnessing photons. The future is bright!
Specialists in optics are urgently needed in Finland!
The research of the Optics and Photonics group is focused on nanoscale light-matter interaction phenomena, optical metamaterials, nano-optical components, and advanced imaging techniques. The group is a partner in the national flagship program of Photonics Research and Innovation. Our premises are in Micronova, the national micro- and nanotechnology center.
We offer summer jobs in the following research projects:
- Optical metamaterials and metasurfaces (possible applications in optical sensors and compact optical devices)
- Advanced optical imaging (possible applications in aberration-insensitive microscopy that can be used in biology and medicine)
- Optical chips (possible applications in optical information processing and LIDARs)
We expect as a result of the trainee period a B.Sc. thesis or an initiated M.Sc. thesis.
More details can be found here.
Group leader: Pertti Hakonen
Offered projects:
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Graphene-based hybrid quantum material being atomically thin and with the combination of unique dielectric environments makes it an ideal platform for the realization of non-Abelian anyons. These anyons will be pivotal for topological qubits. In this setting, non-Abelian anyons like fractional quantum Hall states n = 5/2 with much higher gap energy could be realized. A quantum point contact (QPC) is much necessitated component to realize topological qubits. However, graphene being a semi-metal i.e., the lack of bandgap makes the QPC a non-conventional structure. Our group is presently developing QPCs in graphene. The transport measurement on the Hall bar with a QPC geometry has shown clear signatures of the quantized plateaus in conductance. However, the quantized steps are heavily influenced by the several equilibration processes of the edge states in the QPC. The understanding of the scattering process in the QPC region is still evolving. The researchers at Aalto are developing with Prof. Jacub Tworzydlo a better theoretical model for the QPC in graphene. The calculation requires going beyond the simple scattering matrix formalism for the conventional QPC conceived in semiconducting GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructure.
We would like to investigate theoretically quantum transport in the confined geometry of graphene using quantum tight-binding models. The formalism developed will replicate the quantum conductance via a quantum point contact. Furthermore, a GUI will be developed to simulate the transport in Hall bar geometry. These models could be further engineered to design better electronic interferometers in the quantum Hall regime. A two QPCs construction i.e., Fabry-Pérot interferometer will be a basic building block for the topological qubit.
This work will be part of ongoing long-term activities in the Nano group at Aalto, and Prof. Jacub Tworzydlo, University of Warsaw, Poland provides theoretical support. We are looking for a highly motivated student having, possibly, background in tight-binding calculation. Interested candidates are asked to get in touch with [email protected] for further details.
The following references illuminate the background of the project well:
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Fractionalization is one of the most celebrated phenomena in many-body physics, observed in different materials irrespective of their characteristics, impurities, geometrical configuration, and electron densities. It becomes even more intriguing to see the quantization of Hall plateaus at certain fractional multiples of e^2/h with unprecedented precision, indicating the topological origin of this quantization. The fractional quantum Hall (FQH) states observed in solid state systems at extreme experimental conditions: high magnetic field, and low cryogenic temperatures is one such example. Very recently, a new member was added to this family: Fractional Chern Insulator (FCI). These are lattice analogs of the FQH system, where fractional excitations are formed at zero magnetic fields. FCI in higher Chern bands are expected to carry non-Abelian excitations, allowing to storage of quantum information non-locally. Thus, the low-energy excitations of FCI could be a potential candidate for topological quantum computing. In the NANO group, we are investigating such emerging excitations in multilayer graphene and twisted moiré superlattice of transition metal dichalcogenides. These van der Waals (vdW) heterostructure forms an exciting platform for exploring the emergent electronic correlations in the presence of non-trivial band topology.
We are looking for highly motivated students to join our small team comprised of a PhD and a Postdoc. The candidate is expected to exfoliate multilayer graphene in a controlled environment and identify the 4-6 layers by standard RAMAN and AFM techniques. The identified flakes will be encapsulated with insulating 2-D crystals h-BN to form h-BN/m-G/h-BN heterostructure. With the help of the PhD student, the candidate will fabricate the ohmic contacted Hall bar devices. This device will be further characterized in a cryogenic environment and low magnetic field.
This project will be interesting for students willing to learn the topological phases of matter and contribute to emerging quantum technologies. This project will form a beginning for a MSc thesis and can be continued to a PhD thesis. Highly motivated BSc students are also welcome to apply.
We encourage interested candidates to contact [email protected] for further information.
Group leader: Mikko Möttönen
Our summer student projects include the following (see list below).
- Unimon qubit
- Control of dissipation in superconducting qubits
- Control and measurement of superconducting qubits
- Ultrasensitive microwave detector
- Quantum sensing and communications
- Quantum heat engine and refrigerator
- Quantum knots and monopoles
More details can be found here.
Group leader: Päivi Törmä
This year the Quantum Dynamics (QD) group will not offer summer jobs since we have hired a lot of new people recently. However, if you'd wish to do a special assignment, BSc thesis, MSc thesis or start a PhD in the QD group after the summer during the academic year 2024-2025, please contact Päivi Törmä ([email protected]) directly and ask for opportunities.
Group leader: Mika Sillanpää
Nanomechanical systems in the quantum limit, superconducting qubits, magneto-acoustic hybrid systems. Experimental work done in the premises of Low Temperature Laboratory.
The projects are designed to be suitable as a special assignment or bachelor's thesis work. In many cases they can also be extended as a diploma work. The experimental projects involve design and simulations, and hands-on work in the laboratory either with device fabrication or measurements. The projects give an excellent overview of cutting-edge experimental research on an exciting topic with a strong relevance to quantum technologies.
Group offers projects related to the topics:
- Dynamical Casimir effect
- GHz phononic waveguides
- Coupling of spin waves to acoustic resonances
More details can be found here.
Group leader: Laure Mercier de Lépinay
Offered project:
- Simulation of superconducting vortices in optomechanical devices
More details can be found here.
Group leader: Robin Ras
Soft Matter and Wetting (SMW) is a multidisciplinary research group consisting of physicists, biophysicist and chemists. Our research is focused on functional soft materials and wettability of the surfaces. Many of the materials we work on are inspired by nature, such as superhydrophobic biological surfaces (e.g., lotus leaf, butterfly wings).
We are offering summer positions for students that are highly motivated and interested to work on synthesis, state-of-the-art experimentation and advanced data analysis in the field of soft matter and wetting. The summer student will work in a fully supportive atmosphere surrounded by highly ambitious and talented researchers. The offered projects are listed below.
- Studying wetting behavior on microtextured superhydrophobic surfaces
- Surface characterisation by forced droplet wetting
- Measuring static contact angle with nanometer resolution for both conductive and non-conductive substrates using a novel method based on scanning probe microscopy technique
- Probing anti-stiction forces
More details can be found here.
Group leader: Sorin Paraoanu
Superconducting circuits are one of the most promising experimental platforms for the realization of quantum computers and simulators. A superconducting qubit behaves as an artificial two-level system, with transitions between the ground state and the first excited state being driven by resonant microwave fields. In the Kvantti group we design, fabricate and measure these amazing devices. We also work on superconducting parametric amplifiers and their applications for generation of entanglement and for sensing. We have four main research projects for the summer of 2023. Note that they might look “advanced” (and they are!) but both of them can be tailored to adjust your level (B.Sc. thesis, M.Sc. thesis, etc.) and your interests.
Offered projects:
- Efficient gates and readout protocols for superconducting processors - Mitigating errors in two-qubit gates for scalable quantum computing
- Entanglement in parametric devices - Gain and generation of entanglement in Josephson-based parametric amplifiers
- Quantum thermodynamics - Quantum heat engines with superconducting circuits
- Precision measurements of magnetic fields - Design of protocols for quantum-enhanced sensitivity for the measurement of time-dependent magnetic fields
See more details here.
Group leader: Adam Foster ([email protected])
Offered projects:
- Machine learning in scanning probe microscopy
- Machine learning in tip enhanced Raman microscopy (TERS)
See more details here.
Group leader: Vladimir Eltsov
The Topological Quantum Fluids (ROTA) group studies topological quantum matter, which is a booming area in the modern condensed-matter physics. Our system of choice is superfluid 3He at ultra-low (microkelvin) temperatures, which combines features of topological insulators, metals and superconductors and provide analogies with the structure of the whole Universe -- see https://youtu.be/nCnN7rK28ro for a popular discussion.
We are interested in particular in emergent quasiparticles with non-trivial properties, like Majorana and Weyl fermions or analogues of Higgs boson. Another remarkable property of 3He is spin superfluidity. We recently used it to realize interacting time crystals, which may enable construction of a new generation of quantum devices. For our research we use a world-wide unique experimental equipment and state-of-the-art theoretical methods.
We invite summer students to join development of new experimental techniques and numerical methods. This work will allow you to open new horizons in research and to put a solid foundation for your continuous progress from the Bachelor's to the Master's and then to the Doctoral degree.
This year we offer a numerical modeling project:
- Simulation of topological superfluid interacting with nanostructures
If you are more inclined to perform experimental research, you are nevertheless welcome to apply and a suitable project can be found.
More information can be found here.
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