Is Advanced Matter and Energy Physics the programme for me?

The Advanced Matter and Energy Physics programme is for students interested in:

• next generation energy materials and processes
• unconventional superconductivity
• strongly correlated electron systems
• quantum gases
• quantum information & quantum simulation with ultracold atoms
• soft condensed and biomatter
• complex liquids

Can I join the programme?

You can if you:

• have a well-founded knowledge of quantum mechanics, statistical physics and electrodynamics (at BSc level);
• enjoy the challenge of fundamental experimental research, while keeping an eye open for possible applications of your results;
• are interested spending time in a laboratory abroad, or in industry;
• enjoy working in a team while being the driving force and hands-on 'principle investigator' of your own experiments;
• like to get to the bottom of things, are not afraid of complexity and have a well-developed concept of the art of doing science, in particular experimental science;
• can quickly absorb and integrate novel concepts.

What does Advanced Matter and Energy Physics offer me?

This Master's track offers the chance to take part in research into ‘hot' topics such as:

• next generation energy materials, such as nanocrystals, nanowires and nanophotonic systems for tomorrow's solar energy conversion
• emergence: the surprising and theoretically mysterious properties condensed matter systems exhibit when they are sufficiently complex
• properties of complex liquids, granular, soft and biomatter including jamming and self-organisation
• properties of new forms of ultracold atomic quantum matter, including strong correlations and entanglement
• unravelling how new (un)conventional superconductors work and how they can be applied as q-bits, field sensors, magnets or in power applications

In addition, this Master's track is constructed so as to provide:

• international exposure in the form of a research outplacement in a leading laboratory in Europe, the US, Japan or Australia
• hands-on experience of working with high tech systems and techniques used worldwide in science and industry
• project management skills embedded in a short experimental project (time planning, budgeting, team building, progress monitoring and reporting)
• a one-on-one staff tutor throughout the two years of the Master
• training in the formulation of a research proposal, design of the appropriate experiment(s), dealing with the data, through to tips and guidelines for writing and getting successful scientific papers published in international journals
• access to cutting edge experimental facilities covering the spectrum from table-top systems, via complex laser and ultrahigh vacuum set-ups through to international large scale research facilities such as synchrotron light sources, x-ray lasers and centres for muon and neutron research

Professional specialization within the Master’s programme

In general, Master’s students are trained to become independent researchers. But at the UvA Faculty of Science you can also choose to complete your Master’s programme with a professional specialization, that focuses on other skills than doing research.

 There are three professional specializations available:

• Science Communication (in Dutch)
• Teaching (in Dutch)
• Management, Policy Analysis & Entrepreneurship.