2026 Summer jobs at the Department of Applied Physics

Group leader: Jaakko Timonen

Active Matter group carries out experimental research in the field of soft and living matter physics. We are especially looking for students with strong study record and interest in microscale mechanics, fluid dynamics, electromagnetic field theory, and optics.

2026 Summer projects:

1. Phototaxis of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in absorptive environment
2. Understanding and Optimizing Hanging Drops
3. Investigations around the Onsager-Wien effect
4. Modelling flagella of E. coli
    

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). After the growth process, the layers are characterized by both sample averaging techniques (e.g. XPS or Raman)  and microscopy (atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM)).

More details can be found here. 

Group leader: Mikko Alava

The group offers summer projects in experimental and computational physics as well as application projects.

Experimental:

1. Archibiofoam project - Load bearing biofoam insulation for architectural applications
2. Rapid development of plastic replacements with a self-driving lab, targeting particle laden fluids
3. Material testing

Computational:

• Speeding soft matter research with Large Language Models
• Bayesian optimization for data-efficient materials design and characterization

Application:

• Prototype Development: Hard Biofoam Applications
• From research assistant to CEO path

More details can be found here. 

Contact info: All emails are firstname.lastname@aalto.fi 

Group leader: Jose Lado

The Correlated Quantum Materials group, led by Prof. Jose Lado, focuses on the theoretical design and engineering of new quantum materials with exotic properties that are hard to find in natural compounds. The Correlated Quantum Materials group offers four summer trainee projects:

1. Engineering quantum matter in moiré complex oxides
2. Electrostriction and ferroelectricity in rhombohedral van der Waals heterostructures
3. Tensor-network construction of ultralarge fractal quantum matter
4. Machine-learning identification of mobility edges in quasiperiodic quantum matter
   
   A detailed description of each project and the contact info 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 2026 period. We offer topics suitable both for Bachelor’s theses and special assignments, potentially leading to Master’s theses. Further information about the group can be found from our website: Fusion and Plasma Physics | Aalto University. An overview of the projects will be presented in the department common info session taking place in January 2026. 

Offered projects:

1. Collisional-radiative models in fusion plasmas (instructor: Timo Kiviniemi)
2. Assessing the atomic fluxes to recessed areas in JET (instructor: Pyry Virtanen)
3. Comparison of the plasma and neutral conditions in JET-ILW horizontal and vertical target configurations for deuterium (instructors: Mathias Groth, Ray Chandra)

4. Comparison of horizontal and vertical target configurations in JET-ILW helium plasmas (instructor: Mathias Groth, David Rees)

More details can be found here.

Group leader: Matilda Backholm

Contact info: matilda.backholm@aalto.fi 

Offered project: Dynamics and mechanics of living or soft mesoscale systems

The Living, Fluid, & Soft Matter group (aalto.fi/living-matter) conducts curiosity-driven research on the mechanics, dynamics, and flow of tiny living or soft systems. In this summer project, you will perform hands-on experiments, analyse your own 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 an experimental physics lab. This project should ideally constitute a BSc thesis, special assignment, or parts of a MSc thesis.

More details can be found here.

Group leader: Anton V. Zasedatelev

Contact info: anton.zasedatelev@aalto.fi 

The Macroscopic Quantum Optics group offers 1 internship position (experimental) to join one of the two ongoing projects:

1. Dark optical-Paul trapping of large mass particles in ultra-high vacuum

2. Entangled light-matter states in polariton optomechanical systems

   We are seeking a passionate and driven student/researcher with a background in at least one of the following areas: atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) physics; quantum optics; optomechanics; nonlinear or ultrafast optics. MQO is uniquely positioned to combine state-of-the-art experimental facilities with top theoretical expertise under one roof.
   For more information, please visit our webpage:  https://www.aalto.fi/en/department-of-applied-physics/macroscopic-quantum-optics-mqo

Group leader: Tapio Ala-Nissilä

Offered projects:

1. Realization of quantum Hamiltonians, gates, circuits, and reservoirs in Quantum Computers

   Physics and Quantum Technology students at Aalto are in a unique position to have access to state-of-the art universal superconducting quantum computers VTTQ50 and AaltoQ20, which have become operational in 2025. In this project the idea is to learn how quantum gates and circuits based on them can be realized at hardware level. In particular, quantum reservoirs that can be used for quantum machine learning are important examples of such systems.

2. Multiscale Modeling of 2D Quantum Materials

   In this project, the aim is to use multiscale modeling techniques from quantum-mechanical calculations to molecular dynamics simulations to understand the properties of two-dimensional materials such as graphene or hexagonal boron nitride. This is part of a large international modeling project from microscopic to mesoscopic scales.

Group leader: Sebastiaan van Dijken

Offered projects:

1. Fabrication and modelling of YIG magnonic couplers

   Contact: Dr. Antoni Frej (antoni.frej@aalto.fi) and Prof. Sebastiaan van Dijken (sebastiaan.van.dijken@aalto.fi)

   Magnonics is an exciting and rapidly growing field that explores how spin waves—collective oscillations of electron spins—can be generated, guided, and controlled in magnetic materials. These waves carry information without moving charge, making magnonic devices a promising foundation for ultralow-power signal processing and future information technologies. At the heart of modern magnonics is yttrium iron garnet (YIG), a material famous for its extraordinarily low magnetic damping and outstanding spin-wave propagation properties. In this project, you will help develop a YIG-based magnonic coupler, a key element for routing and transferring spin-wave signals between adjacent on-chip waveguides. Such couplers are essential building blocks for scalable magnonic circuits. As a summer student, you will participate in the entire device development pipeline. By combining materials growth, nanofabrication, spectroscopy, and numerical modelling, this project offers a comprehensive and hands-on introduction to research in modern magnonics. It is an excellent opportunity for students excited about quantum materials, nanoscale physics, and next-generation information technologies.

2.  Investigation of Bose-Einstein condensates in magnonic resonators

   Contact: Dr. Elias Abrao Neto (jose.abraoneto@aalto.fi) and Prof. Sebastiaan van Dijken (sebastiaan.van.dijken@aalto.fi)

   Bose-Einstein condensation is one of the most fascinating phenomena in modern physics. First predicted by Satyendra Bose and Albert Einstein, a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) forms when a gas of bosons is cooled to extremely low temperatures, causing most particles to collapse into the lowest quantum state. In this regime, individual wavefunctions overlap and the atoms act as a single, coherent quantum system—bringing quantum mechanics to life on a macroscopic scale. In magnetic materials, the role of bosons is played by magnons, quantized excitations of the spin system (also known as spin waves). Because magnons are bosons, they too can undergo condensation. A magnonic BEC occurs when a large population of magnons gathers in the lowest-energy state, generating a coherent, collective precession of the magnetization. Unlike atomic condensates, magnon BECs are driven–dissipative, created by injecting energy (e.g., with microwaves) and sustained despite their finite lifetime. Remarkably, this allows magnonic BECs to be studied even at room temperature, making them an exciting playground for exploring nonequilibrium quantum physics. In this summer project, you will explore magnonic BECs in a YIG/CoFeB hybrid resonator system. By engineering the dipolar interaction between the YIG film and the CoFeB layer, you will tune the spin-wave dispersion to favor condensation into the lowest-energy state. Because the condensate behaves as a coherent precessional mode, you will detect its signature by performing two-tone microwave spectroscopy and measuring changes in the absorption spectrum. As a summer student, you will gain hands-on experience with advanced fabrication and measurement techniques central to modern magnonics research..

3. Current-controlled spin-wave propagation in YIG/VO2 heterostructures   

   Contact: Dr. Aleksei Nikitin (aleksei.nikitin@aalto.fi) and Prof. Sebastiaan van Dijken (sebastiaan.van.dijken@aalto.fi)

   The information industry is a cornerstone of the global economy, driven for decades by continuous advances in CMOS technology. However, as transistors shrink and switching speeds rise, power density increases dramatically, creating severe heat-management challenges. To move beyond these limitations, researchers are exploring non-charge-based information carriers, and spin waves are a promising candidate. Spin waves—collective excitations of the spin lattice in magnetic materials—can transport information without any movement of electric charge, enabling ultralow-power data processing. With frequencies in the gigahertz range and wavelengths spanning micrometers to nanometers, spin waves are ideally suited for compact, scalable microwave devices. This project explores a powerful way to electrically control spin-wave propagation using hybrid heterostructures of low-damping yttrium iron garnet (YIG) and vanadium dioxide (VO₂). Passing a small current through VO₂ triggers its famous insulator–metal transition, reducing resistivity by several orders of magnitude. This dramatic effect changes the local spin-wave dispersion in the underlying YIG film, enabling highly energy-efficient tuning of spin-wave transport. As a summer student, you will play a key role in developing and characterizing these cutting-edge heterostructures. The project combines materials science, nanofabrication, microwave engineering, and modelling.

More details can be found here: NanoSpin brochure

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 2026 we are looking for motivated students to work on the following projects, all of which are suitable for both BSc and MSc theses:
 

1. Predictions of primary radiation damage with two-temperature molecular dynamics
2. Surface material erosion in nuclear fusion devices
    

More details can be found here: NuME projects

Group leader: Andriy Shevchenko (andriy.shevchenko@aalto.fi)

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 and metasurfaces, 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:

1. Optical metamaterials and metasurfaces (possible applications in optical sensors and compact optical devices)
2. Advanced optical imaging (possible applications in aberration-insensitive microscopy that can be used in biology and medicine)
3. 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: Mikko Möttönen

Quantum Computing and Devices (QCD) group is world-famous for major scientific discoveries, ranging from the first fundamental observations of topological monopole defects in quantum fluids to being the first to publish millisecond coherence times for transmon qubits, which form the backbone of contemporary quantum computers. In addition, the QCD group has given birth to the first European quantum unicorn, IQM, and other successful quantum companies. Thus, regardless of whether you like fundamental physics, quantum devices, or even entrepreneurship, we may be the right choice for you.

Our summer student projects include the following (see list below). For a general view of the research conducted in the group, please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZvG0nli7ec&t=5s

1. Autonomous quantum processing unit (AQPU)
   We are the inventors of AQPU where the generation of signals, interaction with qubit, readout, and feedback all takes place at millikelvin temperatures independent of control signals from the room temperature. The quantum computation is first encoded into the cryogenic memory and is executed by the analog-digital superconducting electronics, while only clock and power is obtained from room temperature. This exciting long journey to change the way quantum computers of late 2030 work starts now. Take a dive to AQPU next summer. There are plenty of topics to study.

2. Unimon qubit

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hwn881jhb4c

3. Control of dissipation in superconducting qubits

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4OZP71IHTs 

4. Control and measurement of superconducting qubits 

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYpCkur2NIU

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fX-N4b59ZpA&feature=emb_title

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiVErdMeRnI

5. Ulrasensitive microwave detector

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCxbEb212OI&feature=emb_title

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWcT_qrBN_w

6. Quantum sensing and communications
7. Quantum heat engine and refrigerator

More details can be found here.

Group leader: Päivi Törmä

The Quantum Dynamics group (Prof. Päivi Törmä) offers three summer trainee positions, on the topics

1. Quantum geometry and interface superconductivity (theory)
2. Exotic nanoparticle geometries for novel efficient organic light emitting diodes (OLEDS) (experiment)
3. Dielectric nanoparticle array flat bands for novel efficient OLEDS (theory and simulation)

Please see the pdf-document for further information.

Group leader: Mika Sillanpää

Nanomechanical systems in the quantum limit, superconducting qubits, magneto-acoustic hybrid systems. Experimental work is carried out in the premises of the 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 with device fabrication and 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:

1. Ultrastrong coupling of transmon qubits to HBAR modes
2. GHz phononic waveguides 

3. Functionalized membrane resonators for gravity studies

More details can be found here.

Group leader: Jukka Pekola

The PICO group investigates mesoscopic physics and device applications in the field of quantum thermodynamics. In particular, we study electronic and photonic heat transfer in quantum systems. In the summer of 2026, we offer summer projects for BSc and MSc theses and special assignments based on the student's background and interests. Examples of possible topics include the following: 

1. Superconducting qubit thermometry

   The student will learn qubit control and readout with time-domain RF measurements. See https://journals.aps.org/prapplied/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevApplied.23.054079 (or https://arxiv.org/abs/2409.02784) for the group's earlier work on this topic. 

2. Simulation of periodically driven open qubit-resonator systems 

   The student will use Julia to develop efficient simulations of periodically driven qubit-resonator systems. See [2510.23092] Heat measurement of quantum interference and [2409.13417] Thermal spectrometer for superconducting circuits for the group’s earlier work on this topic.

3. Development of maskless photolithography for patterning Nb films

   The student will work on improving the efficiency of the niobium-patterning process flow, which is currently based on electron-beam lithography, using maskless aligner photolithography. For this project, the student is required to have previous experience with cleanroom work and to have completed the Micronova cleanroom and chemical trainings. 

4. Development of Cu/Au electroplating process

   The student will learn nanofabrication techniques such as PVD, wet etching, maskless photolithography and electroplating. As the work takes place mainly in the Micronova cleanroom, the student is required to have previous experience with cleanroom work and to have completed the Micronova cleanroom and chemical trainings. 

5. Noise thermometry

   In this project, the student will work on noise-thermometry measurements in a dilution refrigerator using two-stage SQUID amplifiers and two-channel readout. 

Contact persons for inquiries about summer internships and topics: Tuomas Pyhäranta (firstname.lastname(at)aalto.fi without dots on ä), with cc to Prof. Jukka Pekola (firstname.lastname(at)aalto.fi).

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 offer two main research projects for the summer of 2026. Note that they might look “advanced” (and they are!) but they can be tailored to adjust your level (B.Sc. thesis, M.Sc. thesis, etc.) and your interests. If you are looking forward to making an impact in quantum technologies, maybe this is your place to be. 

Offered projects:

1. Optimization of qudit readout for transmon qudits
2. Fast qutrit gates on a transmon circuit

See more details here.

Group leader: Adam Foster (adam.foster@aalto.fi)

The SIN group offers a range of possibilities to study surface and interface physics at the nanoscale, with particular emphasis on linking machine learning methods to atomistic simulations and experiments. If you are interested, contact us and we can discuss tailoring a project to your background and preferences.

See more details here.

Developing Physics Laboratory Experiments / Teaching Assistant

Supervisors: Petri Salo and Jani Sainio

Contact: Petri.Salo@aalto.fi, Jani.Sainio@aalto.fi

In the laboratory experiments of the basic physics courses, LoggerPro-software is used to collect and store the measurement data, and an electronic laboratory report system is used. The summer job project involves transferring the data collection to a new software, Graphical Analysis, and developing the electronic reporting system.

In this summer job project, you will learn how to develop electronic teaching material and become familiar with modern web-based teaching tools. These skills will be beneficial for future teaching roles, especially for teaching assistants.

Successful completion of the job requires completed first-year studies before starting the work. In particular, a good command of first-year physics and programming is required, as well as a basic knowledge of LoggerPro, Moodle and LaTeX. Familiarity with various web tools, such as HTML, and mathematical applications, like Maxima, will be considered an advantage.

The duration of the job is 3 months. This project cannot be used as a B.Sc. thesis topic. The job requires proficiency in the Finnish language.