PhD scholarship in “Experimental engineering of the phononicdegree of freedom of single quantum emitters”
Mon, 5 Oct 2026, 07:47 a.m.
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network QUEST – Host institution: LENS, University of Florence,
Italy
Join the next generation of European quantum technology researchers. LENS (European Laboratory
for Non-Linear Spectroscopy, Florence, Italy) invites applications for a fully funded Marie
Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Candidate position, within the Horizon Europe Doctoral Network QUEST
– Quantum Electrodynamics with Silicon NanoTechnology.
QUEST brings together leading European universities, research institutes, and innovative companies
to advance quantum technologies through silicon and hybrid nanotechnology. Within this network,
you will be one of 15 doctoral candidates working on complementary research projects spanning
semiconductor materials, nanofabrication, quantum photonics, quantum electrodynamics, advanced
characterization, and theoretical modeling.
For this PhD project, we are looking for a bright student to join the Molecular Quantum
Nanophotonics group at LENS and work on the experimental engineering of mechanical (phononic)
degrees of freedom in single quantum emitters, using organic molecules (DBT, dibenzoterrylene)
embedded in molecular nanocrystals. You will design and realise phononic nanostructures capable
of extending phonon lifetimes, exploit them to explore molecule-to-molecule coupling through
shared mechanical excitations, and use single molecules as ultra-sensitive probes of vacuum-field
forces (Casimir–Polder interaction) near nanostructures. Activities will combine inverse-design
techniques, nanofabrication, optical/spectroscopic characterization, and single-molecule quantum
optics.
As a member of QUEST and of the Molecular Quantum Nanophotonics group, you will work closely
with colleagues specializing in nanofabrication, theory, and photonic structure design, and we
emphasize strong collaboration between theory and experiment. The PhD project takes place at
LENS with two secondments of three months each: one at Lizard Photonics ApS in Copenhagen
(Denmark) and one at Humboldt University in Berlin (Germany).
Responsibilities and tasks
You will be expected to primarily contribute to the design, fabrication, and optical characterization
of phononic nanostructures coupled to single organic molecules, and to perform spectroscopic
measurements verifying molecule–phonon coupling. Depending on interest, you may also contribute
to the theoretical/numerical modelling supporting the structure design.
As part of the Italian PhD program, you will follow PhD courses at the University of Florence and take
part in network-wide activities. For the two secondments, you are expected to relocate to the
partner institutions for a minimum of three months each. There will also be regular meetings with
the other doctoral candidates and partners in the network, including training schools and
workshops.
Qualifications
We are looking for a physicist or engineer with excellent academic records who has ideally already
demonstrated scientific achievements. We are interested in working with candidates who are highly
motivated, reliable, self-driven, and have demonstrated during their Master thesis excellence in
experimental quantum optics, nanophotonics, or condensed matter physics. Other qualities of the
successful candidate:
• Is academically curious and thinks deeply and creatively
• Takes responsibility for the progress and quality of the project
• Communicates well in both written and spoken English
• Is empathetic and enjoys working with others from diverse backgrounds
You must have a two-year master degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic
level equivalent to a two-year master degree. Candidates with a strong background in quantum
optics, single-molecule spectroscopy, nanophotonics, or nanomechanics are preferred. Only
candidates with a GPA belonging to the very top can expect to be called for interview.
Due to the mobility rules of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie program, you must not have resided or
carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Italy for more than 12 months in the 36 months
immediately before the recruitment date.
Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be
enrolled in the PhD programme in Atomic and Molecular Photonics at the University of Florence, in
collaboration with LENS. (PhD regulations)
Assessment
Assessment of the candidates will be carried out by a committee led by Dr. Costanza Toninelli, Group
Leader of the Molecular Quantum Nanophotonics group at LENS.
We offer
Founded in 1991, LENS is a premier European research centre based at the University of Florence
(Italy) dedicated to exploring light–matter interactions via advanced laser- and spectroscopic-based
methods. Today the laboratory counts more than 8 ERC grantees and supports approximately 70
staff members (including approximately 25 senior scientific staff and approximately 35 post-doctoral
researchers), according to published data from a regional report. Over the years LENS has hosted
visiting researchers from across Europe — for example, during an FP2 project, 73 researchers from 8
member states worked on 49 research projects, producing 97 scientific papers. With a
multidisciplinary environment spanning atomic physics, photonics, materials science, biophotonics
and more, LENS offers state-of-the-art infrastructure and fosters collaborative networks across
Europe. Its mission is to enlighten science through connection, innovation, and exploration of the
future of research.
The Molecular Quantum Nanophotonics group, coordinated by Dr. Costanza Toninelli, is world
leader in single-molecule spectroscopy and in the development of photonic quantum technologies
based on molecules, from single-photon sources to nanoscale quantum sensors.
LENS will offer experimental setups for fluorescence microscopy with broadly tunable lasers, nano-
fabrication of polymeric photonic structures, and single-photon detection schemes. In particular, the
available setups allow for autocorrelation measurements, low-temperature excitation spectroscopy,
and lifetime measurements for Purcell-factor estimation. LENS capabilities in low-temperature
spectroscopy and temperature sensing will also be key for the secondments, which target cavity
quantum electrodynamics experiments with molecules.
LENS owns its research premises and is independent from other network members. The LENS PhD
program is associated with the Department of Physics and Astronomy of the University of Florence,
an associated partner of the project.
Supervisor
Dr. Costanza Toninelli (she/her) is Research Director at CNR-INO and holds a PhD in Physics from the
University of Florence. She has supervised 9 PhD students and is currently supervising 3. She is
author/co-author of 56 peer-reviewed publications (h-index = 23) and was awarded an ERC
Consolidator Grant (2023, QUINTESSEnCE). She has been Group Leader at LENS since 2012, after
working as a researcher in France and at ETH Zurich, and has participated in and coordinated several
European collaborative projects, including SIQUST, SEQUME, FASPEC, and ORQUID (QuantERA), on
integrated molecular devices.
Her research focuses on quantum technologies based on light, molecules, and hybrid integrated
systems. She is currently involved in the management of the Quantum Technologies Flagship CSA
and is actively engaged in EDI and science outreach initiatives. In the last ten years, together with
her group, she has combined expertise in photonics with know-how in single-molecule quantum
optics to achieve key results in the development of efficient light–matter interfaces, demonstrating
high-quality and integrated single-photon sources as well as nanoscale sensors. More information on
the group research is available at
Salary and appointment terms
A salary in line with the guidelines of the MSCA-DN Programme including the monthly LIVING
allowance (3,821.53 EUR ), the monthly MOBILITY allowance (710.00 EUR) and, if applicable, the
monthly FAMILY allowance (660.00 EUR) and the monthly Special needs allowance (the exact
amount may vary depending on specific circumstances). These are gross amounts including
compulsory deductions under national law, such as employer and employee social security
contributions and direct taxes or the fixed-amount fellowship. The Researcher will be paid the
amounts indicated minus the compulsory deductionsunder national legislation.
The starting date is between February 2027 – March 2027
Further information
Further information may be obtained from Dr. Costanza Toninelli (toninelli@lens.unifi.it).
You can read more about QUEST at https://quest.dtu.dk and about LENS at https://www.lens.unifi.it.
Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 6 November 2026 at 17:00 CET.
Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please write your email to phd.QUEST@lens.unifi.it, with subject PhD application – Name and Surname, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:
- A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
- Curriculum vitae including publications
- full names, affiliation and email addresses of 2 potential referees
- Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma in English (5-year degree), including official description of grading scale
- a copy of a valid ID card/ passport
You may apply prior to obtaining your master degree but cannot begin before having received it.
Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.
The recruitment is taking place following the European Code of Conduct for Recruitment of Researchers, which all candidates are encouraged to study.
Costanza Toninelli