PhD or Postdoctoral Research Position in Terahertz Photonics

One research position is available in the group of Prof. Luca Razzari (https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=dnJkhT8AAAAJ&hl=en) at the Institut national de la recherche scientifique, Centre Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications (INRS-EMT), in the Greater Montreal area, Canada. The position will be filled at either PhD student or postdoctoral level, depending on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate.

What You Will Do

Research activities will explore new ways to generate, control, and exploit terahertz (THz) radiation, combining experimental photonics with numerical modelling. Research opportunities span three main directions:

Nanoscale THz light-matter interactions and cavity QED. Exploration of strongly confined THz fields to probe and engineer the phonon response of monolayer 2D materials. Research will exploit metallic nanoresonators and metasurfaces for enhanced phonon spectroscopy and investigate strong light-matter coupling and phonon hybridization in these atomically thin systems. These activities aim to establish a platform for nanoscale THz cavity quantum electrodynamics (QED) with 2D materials and explore new routes to tailoring their properties through coupling to THz resonators.

Intense and broadband THz sources. Development and investigation of THz generation driven by ultrashort laser pulses, particularly in organic crystals. Activities will combine experiments with modelling to understand and optimize generation processes and tailor the bandwidth, temporal waveform, and peak electric field of the emitted radiation.

High-speed THz imaging. We are currently developing THz imaging methods for real-time acquisition of spatially resolved THz waveforms and spectra. Research activities will focus on improving these capabilities, characterizing complex structured THz fields in amplitude and phase, tracking their spatial and temporal evolution, and investigating applications in material characterization and process monitoring. We are also interested in developing AI-assisted methods for rapid reconstruction, analysis, and identification of materials or targets during acquisition.

The specific project will be defined according to the expertise and interests of the selected candidate and the group’s research priorities. A PhD student will pursue a focused doctoral project within these directions. A postdoctoral researcher will lead a principal project, with opportunities to contribute to complementary activities across the group.

Qualifications

We are seeking a motivated and curious candidate with a background in physics, electrical or physical engineering, photonics, or a related discipline. PhD applicants should have or be completing a relevant master’s degree. Postdoctoral applicants should have completed a relevant PhD by the start date.

Experience in one or more of the following areas will be an asset: ultrafast lasers and optical experiments; THz generation, spectroscopy, or imaging; metasurfaces and electromagnetic simulations; nonlinear optics; computational imaging, signal processing, or machine learning. Applicants are not expected to have experience in all these areas. We value the ability to work collaboratively, learn independently, and communicate research effectively.

How to Apply

To apply, or for further information, please contact Prof. Luca Razzari at luca.razzari@inrs.ca, indicating whether you are applying at PhD or postdoctoral level, and send:

1. A brief statement of research interests, relevant experience, and the research direction or directions that interest you most.

2. A curriculum vitae.

3. University transcripts for PhD applicants, or a list of publications for postdoctoral applicants.

4. Contact details of at least two academic or professional references.

Review of applications will begin on November 20, 2026 and continue until the position is filled. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted by email to arrange an interview.

Expected start date: spring/summer 2027.

Where You Will Work

INRS is a research-intensive university offering graduate-level training. At INRS-EMT in Varennes, within the Greater Montreal area, the successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary research environment connecting photonics, materials science, and advanced technologies.

Prof. Razzari’s laboratory brings together ultrafast laser sources, THz time-domain spectroscopy systems, Fourier-transform THz/IR spectrometers, and workstations for electromagnetic simulations. The research combines the development of advanced experimental tools with fundamental investigations of light-matter interactions. Montreal offers a vibrant international academic community, a lively cultural scene, and access to outdoor activities throughout Quebec.

Inclusive Environment

We value equity, diversity, and inclusion and welcome applications from all qualified candidates, including members of groups underrepresented in research.

Selected Publications

Enhanced Terahertz Spectroscopy of a Monolayer Transition Metal Dichalcogenide — Advanced Functional Materials (2025)

Multi-microjoule broadband terahertz generation in the organic crystal BNA pumped by ytterbium laser pulses compressed via a gas-filled hollow-core fiber — Optics Letters (2025)

Terahertz Scanless Hypertemporal Imaging — Laser & Photonics Reviews (2023)

Keywords: terahertz photonics; light-matter interactions; metasurfaces; low-dimensional materials; ultrafast lasers; nonlinear optics; computational imaging; artificial intelligence.