Postdoctoral candidates with research proposals that tackle the “Chiral nanomaterials challenge”

Department: Department of Physics
Regime Full-time

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Chiral nanomaterials challenge!

Understanding the formation and structure-property connection by advanced electron microscopy

The Electron Microscopy for Materials Science research group (EMAT) of the Faculty of Science at the University of Antwerp is seeking exceptional postdoctoral candidates with research proposals that tackle the “Chiral nanomaterials challenge”. External and internal postdoc researchers who are eligible to submit an FWO and/or MSCA postdoc application are invited to participate. The top ranked candidate(s) with the best file (project proposal + CV) can acquire a preparatory mandate to further develop the proposal and submit it to FWO and/or MSCA, with UAntwerp as host institution. Beneficiaries are therefore obliged, upon acceptance of the mandate, to make a moral commitment to apply for a postdoctoral fellowship at a subsequent FWO and/or MSCA call, with UAntwerp as host institution. A preparatory mandate of at least 6 months (up to a maximum of 12 months) will be provided.

Further details about the challenge can be found on the EMAT webpage .

Research group

EMAT is one of the leading electron microscopy centers in the world and has a vast expertise in both fundamental and applied electron microscopy. EMAT has several state of the art electron microscopes including three aberration corrected, high end ThermoFisher Scientific-Titan instruments, a dual beam FIB, an environmental SEM,... More about us at our webpage .

Position

• The successful candidate will work on the characterization or modelling of chiral nanomaterials
• The candidate should be eligible for FWO or HE/MSCA postdoctoral applications.
• You publish scientific articles related to the research project;
• You present your work at national and international workshops and conferences;
• You will be employed at the University of Antwerp.

Profile

• You hold a PhD degree with a background in e.g. physics, materials science or transmission electron microscopy;
• You can submit outstanding academic results;
• You are enthusiastic and greatly interested in transmission electron microscopy and materials science;
• You have high experience with the operation of advanced transmission electron microscopes, experience with electron tomography or aberration corrected transmission electron microscopy is an advantage;
• You are highly motivated, quality-oriented, conscientious, creative and cooperative;
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies .

What we offer

• We offer a preparatory mandate for a period of 6 months (max 12 months).
• Scientific and support for developing your proposal in an exciting research direction with the aim to go significantly beyond the state-of-the-art.
• A competitive salary.
• The position should be filled as soon as possible.
• You will have the opportunity to be immersed in a world-class, dynamic and stimulating work environment with state-of-the-art instrumentation and computing facilities (see also http://www.emat.uantwerpen.be/ ). Possibility to interact within EMAT collaborators from top labs working on the synthesis and characterization of chiral nanoparticles.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here .

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform until March 4th, 2024 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button, complete the online application form and be sure to include the following attachments:
  • a motivation letter,
  • your academic CV (including previous work, programming skills, publications, …),
  • a SWOT analysis,
  • a project proposal on the topic of chiral nanomaterials upon which to build an FWO or MSCA postdoctoral fellowships (max 2 pages),
  • a weblink to a short video introducing yourself,
  • contact info of 2 professional referees.
• The selection committee will review all the applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. The top applications will be invited for an interview. As soon as a decision has been made, we will inform you about the next steps in the selection procedure. Selection criteria are detailed on the challenge web-page .
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions  or send an email to [email protected] . Additional information about the job itself can be obtained from: Dr. Lucian Covaci, [email protected] . More detailed information on the research topic can be obtained from Prof. Dr. Sara Bals, [email protected] .

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award  for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity  and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.