PhD position within an MSCA Doctoral Network: ultrafast optics and laser-matter interaction M/F

Job Description

Thesis Subject

Light in Action:Shaping Matter with High-Power Femtosecond Bessel Vortex Beams
FEMTO-ST Institute, CNRS, Besançon, France
This is an open position for a PhD student studying production of nanopillar arrays using arrays of shaped ultrafast laser pulses at the CNRS FEMTO-ST Institute under the supervision of Dr Francois Courvoisier. This position is fully funded by the Marie-Curie Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN) HiPOVor with a targeted starting date of either September 1st or October 1st, 2026.

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About the HiPOVor Project and Consortium
Short description about the project and the partners
HiPOVor is an international collaborative effort aiming to overcome the challenges involved in creating light beams that carry optical angular momentum with both very high peak power and very high average power. A group of young researchers will explore the entire development chain of these beams, including the devices used to generate them, the study of their physical properties, their amplification, their behavior during propagation, and their practical uses. The project will train fifteen doctoral candidates to become the first specialists able to produce powerful light beams that carry optical angular momentum and to advance their use in both academic and industrial settings. The project is supported by an interdisciplinary consortium comprising eight leading universities and nine industrial partners.. The academic partners are Tampere University (Finland, coordinator), University of Stuttgart (Germany), the University of Warsaw (Poland), University of Glasgow (United Kingdom), the University of Bucharest (Romania), Universite libre de Bruxelles (Belgium), Universite Paris Saclay (France) and the FEMTO-ST Institute (France). The project partners from industry together with the academic institutions will support research that is expected to strengthen European scientific excellence, enable new optical technologies, improve methods for producing structures at the scale of nanometres and contribute to more sustainable and energy efficient solutions.________________________________________
Scientific Context and State-of-the-Art
Structured light beams, such as optical vortices and Bessel beams, have revolutionized applications in micromanipulation, optical communication, and advanced materials processing. However, their full potential remains untapped due to challenges in generating high-power, high-purity vortices and controlling their interactions with matter.
Recent breakthroughs at FEMTO-ST institute have demonstrated the single-shot generation of high-aspect-ratio nanopillars using structured femtosecond laser pulses in shape of cylindrical light tube (higher order Bessel beam). Unlike traditional subtractive (e.g., etching) or additive (e.g., deposition) methods, this process relies on laser-induced micro-explosions to directly generate nanostructures. Interestingly, the structures produced are monocrystalline, whch is critical for applications. The process relies on the precise control of laser-induced micro-explosions in transparent materials like sapphire, enabling the fabrication of nanostructures with applications in metasurfaces, photonics, and biology.
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Project
At FEMTO-ST, the HiPOVor project aims to advance this science and technology by designing arrays of Bessel vortex beams to fabricate dense nanopillar arrays in a single laser pulse. This requires precise control over the 3D intensity distribution of the laser beam, including the use of higher-order Bessel beams—often referred to as 'diffraction-resistant' beams due to their unique propagation properties. The goal is to achieve unprecedented control over nanostructure fabrication, enabling applications in photonics, metasurfaces, and advanced materials. These results will advance the field of ultrafast laser nanofabrication and enable new applications in photonics, materials science, and quantum technologies. The target is to publish over 3 peer-review papers and contribute to 1 patent application.
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Work Environment
The PhD student will be hosted at FEMTO-ST Institute (CNRS), a leading research center in optics, photonics, and laser-matter interactions. The candidate will have access to:
• State-of-the-art femtosecond laser systems and beam-shaping setups.
• Advanced characterization tools (SEM, optical microscopy, interferometry).
• Integration within an expert team with international recognition
• Collaborative network with academic and industrial partners across Europe.
• Training in scientific and transferable skills (project management, dissemination, entrepreneurship).
The project includes three secondments to enhance the PhD candidate's interdisciplinary expertise with hands-on experience:
1. Lasea (Belgium): Beam shaping for industrial applications.
2. ELI-NP (Romania): High-power laser applications and pulse characterization.
3. University of Stuttgart (Germany): High-power optical vortices for laser drilling.
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Requirements
Education and Skills
• Master's degree (or equivalent) in Physics, Optics, Photonics, or a related field.
• Experience with experimental setups (e.g., laser systems, optical alignment, characterization techniques) is a strong asset.
• Background in laser physics, optics, holography and ideally in ultrafast phenomena.
• Programming skills (Python, MATLAB, or LabVIEW) for data analysis and simulation.
• Fluency in English (written and spoken) is mandatory; knowledge of French is not required.
Personal Qualities
• Curiosity, rigor, honesty and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Willingness to travel for secondments and conferences.
• The candidate should be comfortable working in an international and interdisciplinary environment.
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Eligibility Criteria (MSCA Rules)
• Mobility Rule: At the time of recruitment, the candidate must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in France for more than 12 months in the 3 years prior to recruitment. Any nationality is eligible.
• Degree Requirement: The candidate must hold a Master's degree (or equivalent) before the starting date.
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Application Process
Applications must be submitted exclusively through the CNRS employment portal: https://emploi.cnrs.fr. Applications sent by email or other means will not be considered.
Questions can be submitted by email to the PI: francois.courvoisier@femto-st.fr with the subject line starting by: [HiPOVor LASTNAME] followed by the subject.
Required Documents – only clear copy of the documents will be considered. Please name your documents with the format: LASTNAME_FileType (examples for John Doe : DOE_CV.pdf , DOE_MotivationLetter.pdf)
1. Detailed CV (including publications, if any).
2. Motivation letter (max. 1 page): Introduce yourself, explain your interest in the project, your career goals, and why you are a strong candidate.
3. Academic transcripts (Bachelor's and Master's degrees).
4. Contact details (email+phone) for 2 referees (letters may be requested later).
Failure to apply on the official website or to include the proper documentation may result in your application not being considered. Applicants will be selected for a short-list first based on their submitted CV and motivation statement, and the final selection will be based on the reference letter(s) and interview(s) that will be organized later.

Deadline
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, with a final deadline of March 30, 2026. Early applications are encouraged.
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Additional Information
• Salary: Highly competitive MSCA-DN fellowship (including mobility and family allowances, if eligible).
• Benefits: Health insurance, and professional development opportunities.
• Duration: 36 months (full-time).
• Start Date: September 1, 2026 (preferred but October 1,2026 is possible)
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Join us to push the boundaries of high-power optical vortices and nanofabrication!

Your Work Environment

Research will be carried out within the CNRS FEMTO-ST Institute in a highly multicultural team. Our newly commissioned scientific building provides access to a wide range of basic science and technological facilities including a suite of dedicated photonics laboratories, 1300 m2 of clean rooms, and parallel computing center.
Besancon is in the East of France, 2 hours 15 minutes from Paris by train and near the foothills of the Jura mountains, close to excellent hiking and mountain bike trails, ski stations and rock-climbing formations. It is consistently rated as having one of the highest qualities of life in France and has a vibrant university atmosphere.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

3632 € gross monthly

Annual leave and RTT

44 jours

Remote Working practice and compensation

Pratique et indemnisation du TT

Transport

Prise en charge à 75% du coût et forfait mobilité durable jusqu’à 300€

About the offer

About the CNRS

The CNRS is a major player in fundamental research on a global scale. The CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist allows it to bring together different disciplines to address the most important challenges of the contemporary world, in connection with the actors of change.

CNRS

The research professions