Join the Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences and gain hands-on experience in laser-based nanomaterial research.
Interested in how a laser can turn a solid material directly into nanoparticles?
Pulsed laser ablation in liquids (PLAL) is a versatile method for producing nanoparticles by focusing short, energetic laser pulses onto a material immersed in a liquid. Unlike conventional chemical synthesis, the method can produce highly pure colloidal nanoparticles without the need for chemical precursors or stabilizing agents.
During this internship, you will participate in the production and characterization of nanomaterials with potential applications in catalysis and biological research. You will work directly in the laboratory, helping us investigate how experimental parameters such as laser energy, irradiation conditions, target material, and liquid environment influence nanoparticle production, size distribution, and colloidal properties.
The internship is designed as a practical introduction to experimental nanomaterials research. You will work alongside experienced researchers and gradually become familiar with laser experiments, nanoparticle characterization, and scientific data analysis.
What will the internship involve?
- Nanoparticle Production: Participate in the synthesis of nanoparticles using pulsed laser ablation in liquids.
- Experimental Preparation: Prepare targets, liquids, samples, and basic components of the experimental setup.
- Laser Experiments: Assist with laser-ablation experiments and investigate the influence of different processing parameters.
- Nanoparticle Characterization: Perform basic characterization of produced colloids using available techniques such as UV-Vis spectroscopy, particle-size measurements, and colloidal-stability analysis.
- Data Analysis: Process, visualize, and compare experimental results obtained under different conditions.
- Experimental Optimization: Help identify conditions that influence nanoparticle size, stability, concentration, and production efficiency.
- 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, Chemistry, Materials Science, Nanotechnology, Chemical 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 or nanoparticles is not necessary.
- Data Skills: Basic ability to work with experimental data; experience with Excel, Origin, Python, or similar tools is a plus.
- Soft Skills: Reliability, 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, nanoparticle synthesis, and modern characterization techniques.
- Participation in real experimental research rather than purely theoretical or demonstration work.
- Professional mentoring and guidance from experienced researchers.
- Access to modern laboratory infrastructure and scientific equipment.
- Experience with scientific data processing, 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, nanotechnology, and experimental science? Join us and discover how nanomaterials can be created one laser pulse at a time.