PhD position (M/F): Synthesis of side-chain conjugated polymers for doped electronic applications

25 May 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

CNRS

Department

Institut de physique et chimie des matériaux de Strasbourg

Research Field

Chemistry
Physics
Technology

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

France

Application Deadline

14 Jun 2024 - 23:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

35

Offer Starting Date

1 Oct 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

The Institut de Physique et Chimie des Matériaux de Strasbourg (IPCMS, UMR 7504) is a joint CNRS - University of Strasbourg unit. This multidisciplinary institute is dedicated to the science of materials, and covers a wide range of aspects from synthesis to the study of physical phenomena in the fields of energy, photonics, health and the environment (https://www.ipcms.fr ). The PhD student will join the "Advanced Molecular Materials" team of the Organic Materials Department (https://www.ipcms.fr/en/equipe/functional-molecular-materials/ ). This team brings together 4 researchers and about ten students, including PhD students. Its expertise lies in the development of molecular systems with fluorescent or charge-transport properties for applications such as in optoelectronics. Particular attention is paid to controlling the structural organization of these systems. The host team is fully equipped to synthesize and characterize organic materials and polymers. The other two partner teams are located at the Institut de Chimie et Procédés pour l'Energie, l'Environnement et la Santé (ICPEES) and the Institut Charles Sadron (ICS). The PhD candidate will also strongly interact with Dr. Nicolas Leclerc of ICPEES, who is an expert in the synthesis of conjugated polymers (https://icpees.unistra.fr/ingenierie-des-polymeres/synthese/ ). The three laboratories (IPCMS, ICPEES and ICS) are all located on the same campus (Campus Cronenbourg), which facilitates exchanges and promotes close collaboration between the various team members. The host team is also involved in a number of international collaborations (UK, Japan, Germany, China, etc.), making it possible to envisage stays abroad.

The thesis project is part of the TriPODE multidisciplinary and multi-partner ANR project, which aims to make breakthroughs in the field of doped polymer systems. It is based on tuning the properties of doped organic electronics by engineering the side chains of conjugated polymers. Two applications in particular are concerned: thermoelectricity and electrochemical transistors.

Conjugated polymers are currently the focus of intense research for their application in organic electronics, and in particular for the production of lightweight, flexible and low-cost devices. Good conduction properties result from the self-assembly of π-conjugated polymers, achieved by microsegregation between conjugated polymer backbones and flexible side chains [1]. The addition of dopant molecules to these polymers significantly amplifies the electrical conductivity of these systems [2]. However, it has been observed that the insertion of dopants is to the detriment of the structural order of the solid-state polymer self-assembly, with poor control of dopant localization.
The thesis project is multidisciplinary and involves synthesizing new high-performance π-conjugated polymers for doping. The molecular engineering work involves tailoring the side chains to (i) control the position of the dopant and (ii) stabilize the organization of the polymers in the solid state as thin films. Specific applications targeted are organic electrochemical transistors [2] and thermoelectric devices [3,4].
The task will essentially involve the synthesis of conjugated organic systems and polymerization. If the candidate is interested, he/she will also be able to participate in the characterization of physico-chemical, electrical and charge transport properties in collaboration with the other teams involved in the project (all located on the same campus). Actually, this research will be carried out in close collaboration between three teams, bringing together a wide range of specialists, from synthesis and control of compound structure to device design.

We are looking for a motivated candidate with good experience in organic synthesis of conjugated systems. Experience in polymers is an advantage. He/she must be a team player, able to communicate and show initiative.

Selected publications by the host teams in the field: [1] N. Kamatham et al. Adv. Funct. Mater. 2021, 31, 2007734. Link; [2] O. Bardagot et al., in Review in Nature Materials, 2023. Link; [3] P. Durand et al. Adv. Energy Mater. 2022, 12, 2103049. Link; [4] V. Vijayakumar et al. J. Mater. Chem. C 2020, 8, 16470. Link.

Requirements

Research Field

Chemistry

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Physics

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Technology

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Languages

FRENCH

Level

Basic

Research Field

Chemistry

Years of Research Experience

None

Research Field

Physics

Years of Research Experience

None

Research Field

Technology

Years of Research Experience

None

Additional Information
Additional comments

Applicants should send a motivation letter + references + CV to
Stéphane Méry ([email protected] ) and Nicolas Leclerc ([email protected] )

Website for additional job details

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/Doctorant/UMR7504-STEMER-001/Default.aspx

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Institut de physique et chimie des matériaux de Strasbourg

Country

France

City

STRASBOURG

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Candidat/Offre/UMR7504-STEMER-001/Candidater.aspx

Contact

City

STRASBOURG

Website

https://www.ipcms.fr/

STATUS: EXPIRED