Technologist position for the promotion of the technology transfer of nano-structured...

Commitment & contract: up to 36 months, fixed-term contract

Location: Milan, Italy, CNST

ABOUT US

At IIT we work enthusiastically to develop human-centered Science and Technology to tackle some of the most pressing societal challenges of our times and transfer these technologies to the production system and society. Our Genoa headquarters are strictly interconnected with the other 11 centers around Italy and two outstations based in the US. We promote excellence in basic and applied research such as neuroscience and cognition, humanoid technologies and robotics, nanotechnology, materials for a truly multidisciplinary scientific experience.

YOUR TEAM

The Vectorial Nano-imaging Research Line (https://www.iit.it/web/vectorial-nano-imaging ) is led by Dr. Antonio Ambrosio (https://www.iit.it/web/guest/people-details/-/people/antonio-ambrosio/ ) who joined IIT from Harvard University in 2020.

With the external support of the competitive grant European Research Council  (ERC consolidator grant METAmorphoses, GA n. 817794), the research is oriented towards three main directions that, although diverse, interestingly contaminate each other in the lab:

• Structured light by means of dielectric optical metasurfaces – After introducing the first dielectric metasurface q-plate [Optics Express 25, 377 (2016)] and the metasurface J-plate for the most general spin to orbital angular momentum conversion [Science 358, 896 (2017)] while at Harvard University, Ambrosio’s group recently realized arrays of Orbital Angular momentum lasers. In a recent paper [Nature Photonics 16, 359 (2022)] they show 100 coupled lasers carrying orbital angular momentum. More interestingly, the laser network is tuned through the topological charge of the lasers. Spatial and temporal structuring of light in amplitude, phase and polarization is the goal of this activity.
• Scanning Probe Microscopy of polymeric and 2D materials – The Vectorial Nano-imaging group is using Scanning Probe microscopy to investigate polaritonic waves in 2D materials. With respect to the observation of phonon polaritons that they demonstrated with different optical near-field techniques in the mid-IR [Light: Science and Applications 7:27 (2018); Science Advances 4:eaat7189 (2018); Science Advances 5:eaav8690 (2019)], they have now the possibility to target excitons in semiconductive 2D materials in the visible and near-IR. Moreover, the group is also complementing optical nano-spectroscopy with mechanical analysis at the nanoscale, on polymers and 2D materials, as this recent paper shows [ACS Nano 16, 7589 (2022)].
• Reconfigurable flat optical devices – This is a research that strongly involves the unique characteristic of surface structuring in azobenzene-containing polymers. Antonio Ambrosio discovered and reported the crucial aspects of such phenomenon years ago [Nature Communications 3:989 (2012); Physical Review Letters 110, 146102 (2013)]. The group is now exploiting this possibility to create optical devices that are, in fact, not just tunable but shapeshifting: gratings can tun into lenses and back into gratings, if and when needed [Advanced Materials Interfaces 8, 2101375 (2021); Optics Express 30, 12695 (2022); Laser and Photonics Reviews 16, 2100514 (2022)]. Introducing structured light in the process is the next step to achieve new schemes for several applications, from optics to microfluidics.

The successful candidate will aim at broadening the already established research activities and network of the Research Line by pursuing several directions, among which technology transfer and fundraising activities. He/she will also be focused on patenting the outcomes of the research activity, as well as on making and caring of relationships with external Companies.

Moreover, the selected candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to the activity carried on by the Research Line, by:

• Developing nano-fabrication protocols for the realization of nano-structured devices
• Working in cleanroom to fabricate and characterize nano-structured devices
• Developing nano-characterization protocols based on advanced microscopy techniques, including Confocal Microscopy; Atomic Force microscopy, Scanning Near-field Optical Microscopy
• Fostering Academic and Industrial relationships by also implementing, writing and reporting collaborative projects with National and International Academic and Industrial partners
• Publication and patenting of the research products

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

• A PhD in Physics, Nanotechnologies, Photonics, Engineering or related areas
• Proven nano-fabrication skills and backgrounds in optics and photonics
• Experience in: Electron Beam Lithography; Photo-lithography; thin film deposition; Reactive Ion Etching; Atomic Layer Deposition
• Proven track record of publications in the relevant technical areas and projects or proven experience in patents/industrial liaison
• The ability to properly report, organize and publish research data
• Ability/willingness to integrate within a multidisciplinary international research group
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, strong orientation to stakeholders
• Team player skills with the ability to communicate technical knowledge in a clear and understandable manner (English language)
• Fluency in spoken and written English

ADDITIONAL SKILLS

• High motivation to learn
• Spirit of innovation and creativity
• Good in time and priority management
• Ability to work in a challenging and international environment
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a highly interdisciplinary environment
• Experience in using frequency and/or time-domain simulation methods and related software and CAD suits, including COMSOL Multiphysics, Lumerical – FDTD
• Expertise in management of international and startup projects
• Experience in national and international projects, both in the proposal preparation phase (i.e. proposal writing) and in the project reporting (i.e. writing of deliverables reports)

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Competitive salary for international standards
• Private health care coverage
• Wide range of staff discounts
• Flexible working time
• Candidates from abroad or Italian citizens who permanently work abroad and meet specific requirements, may be entitled to a deduction from taxable income of up to 90% from 6 to 13 years.

 WHAT’S IN FOR YOU?

• An equal, inclusive and multicultural environment ready to welcome you with open arms. Discrimination is a big NO for us!
• We like contamination and encourage you to mingle and discover what other people are up to in our labs! 
• If paperwork is not your piece of cake, we got you! There’s a specialized team working to help you with that, especially during your relocation! 
• If you are a startupper or a business-minded person, you will find some exceptionally gifted professionals ready to nurture and guide your attitude and aspirations.
• If you want your work to have a real impact, in IIT you will find an innovative and stimulating culture that drives our mission to contribute to the improvement and well-being of society!
• We stick to our values! Integrity, courage, societal responsibility and inclusivity are the values we believe in! They define us and our actions in our everyday life. They guide us to accomplish IIT mission!
• If you feel this tickles your appetite for change, do not hesitate and apply!

Please submit your application using the online form and including:

• a detailed CV with a full list of publications, plus a final section titled “Relevant skills” commenting on the strong points where your CV matches the required skills (list above),
• 3 relevant publications/patents,
• 2-3 pages of research statement in PDF format,
• 3 evaluation letters from international experts in PDF format.

Application’s deadline: February 10th , 2023

We inform you that the information you provide will be used solely for the purposes of evaluating and selecting professional profiles in order to meet the requirements of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia.

Your data will be processed by Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, based in Genoa, Via Morego 30, acting as Data Controller, in compliance with the rules on protection of personal data, including those related to data security.

Please also note that, pursuant to articles 15 et. seq. of European Regulation no. 679/2016 (General Data Protection Regulation), you may exercise your rights at any time by contacting the Data Protection Officer (phone Tel: +39 010 28961 - email: [email protected] - kindly note that this e-mail address is exclusively reserved for handling data protection issues. Please, do not use this e-mail address to send any document and/or request of information about this opening).