Joint doctoral grant Quantitative transmission electron microscopy (TEM) combined with theoretical...

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Within the frame of an EOS project, the University of Antwerp (UAntwerpen) and the Laboratory for Chemistry of Novel Materials of the University of Mons (UMons) are seeking to fill a full-time (100%) position under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Sandra Van Aert, Prof. Dr. Thomas Altantzis (ELCAT, UAntwerpen), Prof. Dr. Jérôme Cornil and Prof. Dr. Roberto Lazzaroni, for a joint doctoral grant in the area of quantitative transmission electron microscopy (TEM) combined with theoretical chemistry modelling techniques. This research project aims to investigate structural chirality at the atomic scale in both 2D and 3D.

Project description

The University of Antwerp has an open position for a joint PhD student with the Laboratory for Chemistry of Novel Materials (CMN) of UMons, situated within an EOS project entitled "Chiral symmetry breaking from Surface to Bulk: a multidisciplinary approach of the crystallization of achiral and chiral molecules - CHISUB". This research project aims to evaluate structural chirality at the atomic scale in both 2D and 3D, for which novel TEM methods will be developed. In particular, atomic resolution electron tomography and the use of electron vortex beams combined with advanced statistical data analysis methods and modelling involving quantum-chemical and force field techniques will be explored to reach this goal. The quantification of TEM data will be performed at the Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT) laboratory of the University of Antwerp whereas the modelling activities will take place at UMons. This project is part of the CHISUB Excellence of Science (EOS) program, jointly supported by FWO and FNRS and the candidate will join a pool of young scientists hired on this project. To succeed and in order to evaluate and complement the developed TEM and modelling techniques, a close collaboration with other partners of the CHISUB consortium (i.e., KULeuven, ULB, University of Graz, University of Groningen) is foreseen.

Research groups

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 ThermoFischer Scienctific-Titan instruments, a dual beam FIB, an environmental SEM,... More about us can be found at our webpage .

CMN is a multidisciplinary laboratory with major activities in the modelling of the structural, electronic, optical and transport properties of organic, hybrid and bio-inspired materials for electronics, energy and health applications. Those activities rely on a multi-scale approach combining quantum chemical, force field, and solid-state physics computational techniques (see http://morris.umons.ac.be/ )

Position

• You work actively on the preparation and defence of a PhD thesis in the field of quantitative TEM combined with modelling techniques;
• You will develop novel methodologies to quantify TEM images;
• You will adapt/use state-of-the-art theoretical chemistry modelling techniques to investigate the supramolecular assembly of chiral molecules in 2D and 3D and to evaluate their electronic structure and response to stimuli when adsorbed on surfaces.
• You will make use of statistical experimental design to optimize the instrumental parameters and statistical parameter estimation theory. In combination with Crystal Structure Prediction protocols developed at UMons, this will allow us to quantitatively interpret the TEM data acquired at EMAT and to correlate the theoretical outcome with experimental XRD techniques;
• You will present your work at national and international workshops and conferences;
• You will publish scientific articles related to the research project of the assignment;
• You will be employed at UAntwerpen and UMons but you are also expected to spend short research stays to our consortium partners in TUGraz to get acquainted with XRD;
• At UAntwerpen, you will work in close collaboration with another PhD student and postdoc, who will be working on the acquisition of the TEM data; at UMons, you will work with another CHISUB PhD student and a postdoc involved in the modeling of chiral molecules at surfaces.

Profile

• You hold a bachelor and master degree in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering or equivalent;
• You can submit outstanding academic results;
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies ;
• You are quality-oriented, conscientious, creative, cooperative and able to work efficiently within a team;
• Experience with the quantification of TEM data and the use of theoretical chemistry techniques is an advantage but not required;
• You have excellent knowledge of the English language, in both oral and written communication;

What we offer

• We offer a doctoral scholarship for a period of 1 year. Following a positive evaluation, the scholarship can be renewed for another 3 years;
• An exciting project in which we will aim to go significantly beyond the state-of-the-art;
• A competitive salary;
• The position will be filled as soon as possible. The starting date is between 1st of October 2022 and 1st of November 2022, but will be adapted to the selected candidate’s availability;
• Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts  for doctoral scholarship holders on the pay scales for contract research staff (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP);
• 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/  and http://morris.umons.ac.be/ );
• 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 15 August 2022. 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 followed courses, honours, previous work, programming skills, publications, …)
  • a weblink to a short video introducing yourself,
  • a list and grades of the courses that you took during your studies (Bachelor and Master)
  • contact info of 2 professional referees.
• The selection committee will review all of the applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision has been made, we will inform you about the next steps in the selection procedure.
• 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 position itself can be obtained from: Sandra Van Aert, tel. +32 3 265 3252, [email protected] , Thomas Altantzis, tel. +3232659302, [email protected]  (see also https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/research-groups/elcat/ ),  Jérôme Cornil, tel. + 32 65 37 3872, [email protected] , and Roberto Lazzaroni, tel. + 32 65 37 38 60, [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.