| Code | SD-NFiz-G15 |
|---|---|
| Organizational unit | Doctoral School of Exact Sciences |
| Area/discipline | Physical sciences |
| Form of studies | Full-time |
| Level of education | Third cycle |
| Language(s) of instruction | English, Polish |
| Admission limit | 1 |
| Duration | 8 semetrs |
| Recruitment committee address | Wydział Fizyki UAM ul. Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 2, Poznań mgr Anna Kolańczyk-Marszałek |
| Office opening hours | 9.00-14.00 |
| WWW address | https://amu.edu.pl/doktoranci/szkola-doktorska/rekrutacja/rekrutacja-20252026 |
| Required document | |
| Ask a question | |
Additional recruitment to the Doctoral School of Exact Sciences beyond the limit of places
Project description:
In 2011, a viral tweet about graphene's strength highlighted the excitement around 2D materials, particularly van der Waals (vdW) structures like graphene. These materials are expected to revolutionize technology, but their mechanical fragility remains a major challenge for widespread, durable applications.
Despite claims of superior elasticity, experimental understanding—especially of bulk vdW materials—is limited, with most studies focused on 2D forms. Standard measurement tools, such as AFM, are contact-based and interfere with the materials, producing inconsistent results. There's a strong need for a predictive framework combining experiments, simulations, and AI to understand and scale the mechanical behavior of 2D materials.
This project aims to address these gaps by studying nanomechanical properties of Transition Metal Dichalcogenides (TMDCs) from bulk down to single layers. It will develop a new, contactless experimental platform using all-optical techniques, specifically inelastic light scattering (e.g., Brillouin scattering), to assess intrinsic elastic features. This method will allow precise, nondestructive mechanical evaluation and help establish the foundation for reliable fabrication of robust 2D vdW heterostructures.
Principal investigator: Prof UAM dr hab. Bartłomiej Graczykowski NCN 2024/54/E/ST3/00232
Recruitment
Selection Committee
prof. UAM dr hab. Barłomiej Graczykowski– chairman
prof. UAM dr hab. Mikołaj Pochylski
prof. UAM dr hab. Aleksandra Trzaskowska
prof. dr hab. Gotard Burdziński
prof. UAM dr hab. Jacek Gapiński
mgr Anna Kolańczyk- Marszałek – sekretarz
Schedule of the Doctoral School enrolment procedure:
Recruitment fee
The recruitment fee is 75 EUR.
Form of the selection procedure
One stage procedure.
Language of the selection procedure, including interviews:
Polish or English language.
Required documents:
Candidates applying based on exceptional academic achievements must include a scan of the following:
1) For first-cycle graduates: the diploma and supplement.
2) For students completing the third year of a unified master’s programme: a certificate indicating their academic average from years 1 to 3, along with a transcript.
Candidates educated outside Poland must additionally submit:
1) A scanned copy of their higher education diploma and supplement for both first- and second-degree qualifications (Bachelor’s and Master’s), in the original language and a certified translation into English or Polish.
2) A scanned copy of their passport (for foreign applicants).
Evaluation criteria
1. A minimum grade of "very good" or equivalent from a second-cycle (master’s) or unified master’s degree diploma (5 points). Candidates applying on the basis of exceptional scientific achievements (e.g., grant awarded under the “Pearls of Science” competition) will also receive 5 points.
2. Evaluation of up to three documented scientific achievements submitted during registration in the IRK system, assessed according to the detailed criteria of the candidate's accomplishments (maximum of 20 points).
3. Assessment of other documented activities, based on up to three achievements indicated by the candidate, as per the specific criteria for the discipline (maximum of 5 points).
4. The outcome of the interview, which assesses:
a) The candidate’s knowledge and competencies relevant to their intended research, including discipline-specific expertise.
b) Research methodology appropriate to the chosen discipline. The interview has a maximum duration of 30 minutes and awards up to 50 points.
5. Evaluation of the research project prepared for admission, or in the case of recruitment tied to a grant project, the author’s concept for implementing the project (maximum of 20 points). Assessment focuses on:
a) Formulation of the research objective and presentation of the research problem. Page 6 of 9
b) Originality of the research idea and approach to solving the research problem.
c) Methodology suited to the indicated discipline.
d) Awareness of the current state of research, supported by a basic bibliography.
e) The project’s significance for the development of the chosen discipline.
Condition of admission to the Doctoral School
Education Program
Education at the doctoral school lasts 8 semesters. Education at the Doctoral School is offered on the basis of a framework curriculum and an individual research plan and ends with the submission of a doctoral dissertation.
The framework curriculum at the doctoral school includes a catalogue of modules of compulsory classes, elective compulsory classes and optional classes. It also:
1) defines their schedule
2) defines the way in which the classes are taught
3) defines how learning outcomes are verified.
Education begins on 1st October, 2025.
Supervisors
A doctoral student works under the supervision of a supervisor or supervisors, or a supervisor and auxiliary supervisor, who will be appointed by the Deputy Rector at the request of a doctoral student (within 3 months of the start of his or her studies at the Doctoral School).
Scholarships
Scholarship: 5000 PLN gross per month (about 3800 PLN net per month) for two years and 6500 PLN gross per month in third and fourth year of PhD study.