Join the Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences and gain hands-on experience in experimental laser physics and plasma diagnostics.
Interested in what happens in the first microseconds after a powerful laser pulse hits a material?
When an intense laser pulse interacts with a solid surface, it can remove material and generate a rapidly expanding plume containing atoms, ions, clusters, and plasma. By detecting these species and their optical emission, we can better understand the mechanisms of laser ablation and laser–matter interaction.
During this internship, you will participate in experiments focused on the diagnostics of laser-induced ablation and plasma expansion using techniques such as time-of-flight mass spectrometry and optical plasma detection. You will help us investigate how experimental parameters such as laser energy, number of pulses, material type, and measurement position influence the detected signals and plasma behaviour.
The internship is designed as a practical introduction to experimental laser physics, scientific instrumentation, and signal analysis. You will work alongside experienced researchers and gradually become familiar with pulsed-laser experiments, detection systems, data acquisition, and scientific data processing.
What will the internship involve?
- Experimental Preparation: Prepare and position samples and assist with basic preparation of the experimental setup.
- Laser Experiments: Participate in laser-ablation experiments using pulsed laser systems under supervision.
- Time-of-Flight Measurements: Assist with acquisition and processing of time-of-flight mass spectra generated during laser ablation.
- Plasma Diagnostics: Record optical or electrical signals associated with laser-induced plasma and plume expansion using available diagnostic techniques.
- Parameter Studies: Investigate how laser energy, number of pulses, material properties, and measurement conditions influence detected signals.
- Signal and Data Analysis: Process, visualize, and compare experimental datasets obtained under different irradiation conditions.
- Signal Identification: Help identify characteristic peaks, temporal features, and trends in mass-spectrometry and plasma-diagnostic data.
- Scientific Work: Participate in literature research, documentation of experiments, and discussion of results with the research team.
The exact experimental tasks will be adapted to the current research activities, the student’s background, and progress during the internship.
What we’re looking for:
- Field of Study: Physics, Applied Physics, Photonics, Physical Chemistry, Engineering, or a related field.
- Level of Study: Bachelor’s or Master’s student.
- Technical Skills: Basic laboratory experience is an advantage but is not required. Previous experience with lasers, vacuum systems, mass spectrometry, or plasma diagnostics is not necessary.
- Data Skills: Basic ability to work with experimental data; experience with Excel, Origin, Python, MATLAB, or similar tools is a plus.
- Soft Skills: Reliability, analytical thinking, careful experimental work, curiosity, and willingness to learn.
What we offer:
- Duration: Initial internship of 2 months, 16 hours per week.
- Possible continuation: Possibility of extending the collaboration for an additional 2 months at the beginning of 2027, with the potential for further extension depending on mutual interest, available projects, and student performance.
- Flexible working hours compatible with university studies.
- Hands-on experience with pulsed lasers, time-of-flight mass spectrometry, plasma diagnostics, and scientific instrumentation.
- Participation in real experimental research rather than purely theoretical or demonstration work.
- Professional mentoring and guidance from experienced researchers.
- Access to modern laboratory infrastructure, laser systems, vacuum equipment, and diagnostic instrumentation.
- Experience with scientific signal processing, data analysis, interpretation, and presentation.
- Insight into academic research, international collaborations, scientific projects, and research careers.
- Possibility to develop the work further toward a Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis, depending on mutual interest and available research topics.
Interested in lasers, plasma, and scientific instrumentation? Join us and explore what happens when matter is transformed by an intense laser pulse.