8 Apr 2024
Job Information
- Organisation/Company
Université côté d’azur UCA- Department
Chemistry- Research Field
Physics » Chemical physics- Researcher Profile
Leading Researcher (R4)- Country
France- Application Deadline
8 May 2024 - 00:00 (Europe/Paris)- Type of Contract
Temporary- Job Status
Full-time- Hours Per Week
35- Offer Starting Date
8 Apr 2024- Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
ERASMUS+- Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
No
Offer Description
Goal of the project
The visual system of some fish distinguishes changes in color and polarization. CLCs selectively reflect light. Wavelength, from UV to IR, and polarization, from circular to elliptical, vary with the angle of observation. The supervisor's hypothesis is that fish could use this versatility of the reflective patterns of their cholesteric collagen scales to move collectively and reorient themselves with remarkable speed within a school. In a unique biomimetic approach, the objective is to develop reflective optical tags inspired by these biological structures in relation with the optical reading of the images coded in the tags. The subject has a strong experimental component and is interdisciplinary in nature. This involves correlating the physical characteristics of the tags in close connection with the determination of the chiro-optical properties of the reflected wave.
The principal supervisor, Michel Mitov, CNRS Research Director, leads the research subject, which brings together concepts from soft matter science, liquid crystal physics, optics of chiral liquid crystals, biological cholesterics, and biomimetic liquid crystals. The topic addresses the link between the optical features and structure of designed materials as disclosed by complementary microscopy (SEM, TEM, AFM). As a member of the Complex Photonic Materials and Systems team, the post-doctoral researcher will benefit from the expertise of researchers who specialize in ultrafast optics, nanophotonics, and the physical properties of optical materials developed to meet the challenges of modern photonics.
The post-doctoral work’s will consist of creating artificial versions comprising singular twisted structures with a: non-monotonous pitch; variable orientation of the axis of symmetry; double helicity; combination of several of these geometries. This development work will be accompanied by the study of the optical properties of biomimetic films and their small-scale structure, by electron or near-field microscopy in collaboration with experts in the field.
Requirements
- Research Field
- Physics
- Education Level
- PhD or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
The applicant must be strongly interested about experimental work and possess tenacity. (S)he will be autonomous and communicative, combining curiosity with a thorough education in physics, physical chemistry, or materials science. Prior knowledge and experience in soft matter physics or chemistry are solid assets. Knowledge in liquid crystal science is welcome but not required (the supervisor will provide the appropriate training). Prior quantitative research methods and practical work in labs would be beneficial. Good knowledge and understanding of materials physics and chemistry, including polarized light optics, spectrophotometry, and light–matter interactions are assets.
At the end of her/his post-doctoral period, the researcher will be able to master the full chain: design of optical films of complex-twisted liquid crystals, elucidation of their chiro-optical properties and their structure determined by different microscopy techniques, by himself and in relation with specialists in the field. Depending on the progress of the research work, the activity may extend to prototyping in conjunction with researchers specializing in optical sensors and robotics. The research project is a multi-faceted research topic, the results of which could lead to an applied and topical problem, that of guiding a fleet of autonomous vehicles, with strong potential for valorization in academic and industrial circles.
Internal Application form(s) needed
Postdoc Twisted LCs_M Mitov_EN .pdf
English
(667.37 KB - PDF)
Download
Additional Information
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available
- 1
- Company/Institute
- Institut de Physique Nice (INPHYNI)
- Country
- France
- City
- Nice
- Postal Code
- 06200
- Street
- 17 rue Julien Lauprêtre
- Geofield
- Number of offers available
- 1
- Company/Institute
- UMR INPHYNI
- Country
- France
- Geofield
Where to apply
[email protected]
Contact
- City
Nice- Website
http://unice.fr/- Street
17 rue Julien Lauprêtre- Postal Code
06200
STATUS: EXPIRED