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Doctoral student in AI-Driven nanomagnetism

KTH Royal Institute of Technology, School of Engineering Sciences

Project description

Third-cycle subject: Applied Physics

We are seeking a motivated PhD student in computational materials physics, particularly AI-driven studies of nanomagnetism. The PhD student will work within an active research group in materials theory and computational magnetism, led by Dr. Alexander Edström and Prof. Anna Delin at the Division of Light and Matter Physics, which also hosts experimental research groups in closely related areas. The position is linked to a research project (through WISE and WASP) in collaboration with experts in both machine learning and artificial intelligence (Pawel Herman at KTH’s Department of Computer Science and Stephanie Lowry at Örebro University), as well as computational magnetism and spin dynamics (Maryna Pankratova and Anders Bergman at the Department of Physics, Uppsala University).

The project aims to apply advanced methods in AI and machine learning, combined with atomistic spin dynamics and first-principles electronic structure calculations, to study complex nanomagnetism. A specific goal of the project is to design materials functionality for future sustainable computing technologies, such as magnetic materials for neuromorphic computing.

This recruitment is connected to the Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability (WISE,wise-materials.org). WISE, funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, is the largest-ever investment in materials science in Sweden and encompasses major efforts at Sweden’s foremost universities over the course of 12 years. The vision is a sustainable future through materials science.

Read more: https://wise-materials.org

All early-stage researchers recruited into the WISE program will be a part of the WISE Research School https://wise-materials.org/research-school/ an ambitious nationwide program of seminars, courses, research visits, and other activities to promote a strong multi-disciplinary and international network between PhD students, postdocs, researchers, and industry.

Supervision: Alexander Edström is proposed to supervise the doctoral student. Decisions are made on admission

What we offer

Admission requirements

To be admitted to postgraduate education (Chapter 7, 39 § Swedish Higher Education Ordinance), the applicant must have basic eligibility in accordance with either of the following:

  • passed a second cycle degree (for example a master's degree), or
  • completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 second-cycle higher education credits, or
  • acquired, in some other way within or outside the country, substantially equivalent knowledge
  • Completed courses corresponding to at least 60 higher education credits at advanced level in Physics or other subjects deemed relevant to given the specialization.

In addition to the above, there is also a mandatory requirement for English equivalent to English B/6.

Selection

In order to succeed as a doctoral student at KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. During the selection process, candidates will be assessed upon their ability to:

  • independently pursue his or her work
  • collaborate with others,
  • have a professional approach and
  • analyze and work with complex issues.
  • communicate in writing and orally
  • show scientific competence.

A background in solid state physics (particularly magnetism and magnetic materials), computational physics, and/or machine learning and artificial intelligence is meriting.

After the qualification requirements, great emphasis will be placed on personal skills. 

Target degree: Doctoral degree

Information regarding admission and employment

Only those admitted to postgraduate education may be employed as a doctoral student. The total length of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education in four years' time. An employed doctoral student can, to a limited extent (maximum 20%), perform certain tasks within their role, e.g. training and administration. A new position as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, and then the employment may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time. 

Union representatives

Contact information for union representatives.

Doctoral section (Students’ union on KTH Royal Institute of Technology)

Contact information for doctoral section.

To apply for the position

Apply for the position and admission through KTH's recruitment system. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement.

Applications must be received at the last closing date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

Applications must include the following elements:

  • CV including your relevant professional experience and knowledge.
  • Application letter with a brief description of why you want to pursue research studies, about what your academic interests are and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Maximum 2 pages long)
  • Copies of diplomas and grades from previous university studies and certificates of fulfilled language requirements (see above). Translations into English or Swedish if the original document is not issued in one of these languages.Copies of originals must be certified.
  • Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

Other information

Striving towards gender equality, diversity and equal conditions is both a question of quality for KTH and a given part of our values.

For information about processing of personal data in the recruitment process.

It may be the case that a position at KTH is classified as a security-sensitive role in accordance with the Protective Security Act (2018:585). If this applies to the specific position, a security clearance will be conducted for the applicant in accordance with the same law with the applicant's consent. In such cases, a prerequisite for employment is that the applicant is approved following the security clearance.

We firmly decline all contact with staffing and recruitment agencies and job ad salespersons.

Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

 

 

Apply here
Type of employment

Temporary position

Contract type

Full time

Full-time equivalent

100%

First day of employment

As soon as possible, or as agreed

Salary

Monthly salary according to KTH's doctoral student salary agreement

Number of positions

1

Location

Stockholm

County

Stockholms län

Country

Sweden

Reference number

PA-2025-2657

Published

04.Sep.2025

Last application date

28.Sep.2025

Contact
Alexander Edström
aleeds@kth.se