Research Associate/Senior Research Associate in Terahertz Control of Magnetic Materials for Ultrafast Spin Switching (A2957)

The Department of Physics at Lancaster University invites applications for a Post-Doctoral Research Associate to work in the field of ultrafast magnetism. The post is funded by ERC Starting grant MAGSHAKE: Terahertz electric field control of magnetism.

MAGSHAKE aims to achieve the ultrafast and least dissipative switching of magnetization using terahertz (THz) photons with energies comparable with the magnetic intrinsic energy scale (meV). We will explore the manipulation of spins by a THz electric field, which can modulate the spin-orbit and exchange interactions, which are responsible for magnetic ordering. These interactions are orders of magnitude stronger than the Zeeman energy due to an applied magnetic field. Therefore, the THz electric ‘shaking’ of the spins is expected to be strong enough to induce switching of the spins’ orientations, representing an elementary act of writing a bit of information. Our research programme aims to investigate the fundamentals of the electric field-driven nonlinear spin dynamics and to explore the basic requirements for the fastest and most energy-efficient spin switching in broad classes of magnetic materials.

The position offers access to state-of-the art ultrafast laser facilities and challenging research projects at the interface of photonics and magnetism. There will be opportunities for travel and experiments using THz free-electron laser facilities such as FELIX (Nijmegen, Netherlands) and TELBE (Dresden, Germany).

You will hold a PhD in experimental ultrafast spectroscopy and/or THz photonics or a related discipline. Work experience in the fields of spintronics and/or magnonics is a plus. 

The post is offered for up to 42 months and is available immediately.

For informal enquiries about this post please contact Dr Rostislav Mikhaylovskiy: e-mail r.mikhaylovskiy@lancaster.ac.uk           Tel: +44 1524 592072.

The Department of Physics at Lancaster University has an excellent reputation for research and teaching, and was ranked 2nd in the UK for world-leading research publications in the last Research Excellence Framework (REF).

The Department of Physics is strongly committed to fostering diversity within its community as a source of excellence, cultural enrichment, and social strength. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our department.

We welcome applications from people in all diversity groups.

Closing Date: 31 Mar 2020
Category: Research