PhD in the field of soft matter physics

31 Jan 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

University of Luxembourg

Research Field

Physics » Other

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Luxembourg

Application Deadline

27 Feb 2024 - 02:57 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

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 University | About us...

The University of Luxembourg is an international research university with a distinctly multilingual and interdisciplinary character. The University was founded in 2003 and counts more than 6,700 students and more than 2,000 employees from around the world. The University's faculties and interdisciplinary centres focus on research in the areas of Computer Science and ICT Security, Materials Science, European and International Law, Finance and Financial Innovation, Education, Contemporary and Digital History. In addition, the University focuses on cross-disciplinary research in the areas of Data Modelling and Simulation as well as Health and System Biomedicine. Times Higher Education ranks the University of Luxembourg #3 worldwide for its "international outlook," #20 in the Young University Ranking 2021 and among the top 250 universities worldwide.

The Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine (FSTM) contributes multidisciplinary expertise in the fields of Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, Life Sciences and Medicine. Through its dual mission of teaching and research, the FSTM seeks to generate and disseminate knowledge and train new generations of responsible citizens, in order to better understand, explain and advance society and environment we live in.

The University of Luxembourg (UL) invites applications for the following vacancy at the Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine (FSTM), Department of Physics and Materials Science (DPhyMS), Experimental Soft Matter Physics (ESMP) group: Doctoral candidate (PhD student) in the field of soft matter physics.

Your Role...

Discovered only six years ago, the ferroelectric nematic liquid crystal (LC) phase has revolutionized soft matter physics and created an explosion of creativity and excitement in the field. Apart from the excitement from a fundamental physics point of view of a spontaneously polarized 3D liquid, the nascent research field is also driven by enormous application potential in, e.g., piezoelectric energy generators, supercapacitors, soft actuators and much more. The SHADOW project takes an innovative approach to studying ferroelectric nematics in a three-PI collaboration between Prof. Irena Drevensek-Olenik (experimental physics) and Prof. Miha Ravnik (theoretical physics) at University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, and the ESMP group in Luxembourg, headed by Prof. Jan Lagerwall. You will be working closely together with post-docs in the two Ljubljana groups, connecting your research with the theoretical and experimental activities in Ljubljana.

You will be preparing and studying spherical shells in which the ferroelectric nematic LC is suspended in and surrounds immiscible isotropic liquids. With tangential boundary conditions, the spherical topology requires positive-signed topological defects to form, but the typical configuration seen with conventional nematics, with four half-integer defects dominated by splay deformation, is not expected, as the ferroelectric nematic forbids half-integer defects and splay is shunned by the phase because it causes divergence in the polarisation field, with consequent bound electric charges. We will also study the behavior with normal boundary conditions, where a uniform shell would have enormous boundary charge, hence a break-up in domains is expected. Interestingly, the unequal areas of out- and inside would require a splayed configuration, which the LC avoids, hence an intriguing state of frustration should arise. Finally, we will also study chiral versions of the ferroelectric nematic LC in shell geometry, which develops structural color that can be tuned by electric field application.

Activities

• Participate actively in the research project as described above
• Write manuscripts for articles to be published in leading international scientific journals
• Write a thesis in the domain of soft matter physics
• Contribute to developing this entirely new field of soft matter physics, exploring both fundamental aspects and application potential, as well as to teaching and public outreach

What we expect from you…

We are looking for a physicist combining a child's curiosity with the solid understanding provided by an excellent B.Sc. and M.Sc. education in physics. Prior experience in soft matter physics (liquid crystals, colloids, polymer solutions and melts, …), ferroelectrics or multiferroics, and/or optics, is beneficial.

• Master's degree (or equivalent) in physic Chemistry or materials science/engineering degrees may also be appropriate if combined with a strong interest in and good understanding of physics/physical chemistry
• Experience in quantitative research methods and practical work in physics/engineering labs
• Curiosity, a genuine passion for scientific research and a desire to go beyond the state of the art
• Good knowledge and understanding of materials physics and chemistry, including polarized light optics, light-matter interaction, and the thermodynamics of phases and phase transitions. We consider knowledge in and experience of soft matter physics and chemistry, especially in polymers and liquid crystals, as strong assets
• Commitment and capacity to critical thinking and good research ethics
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Openness to interdisciplinary research and commitment to teamwork

Offer...

• Diversity and inclusiveness are key values for the ESMP team and its culture
• Dynamic, international and multicultural environment with high expectations and ambitions
• You will experience real research and learn to appreciate the fact that the outcome is most often not quite what was expected, analyse the reasons for this surprise, and thereby improve our current understanding and become a true expert in your field
• Personal workspace and computer and access to all relevant labs at the University

How to apply...

Applications should include:

• Motivation letter answering the following questions: why do you want to work for a Ph.D. degree; why at the University of Luxembourg; why in the Experimental Soft Matter Physics group; and why on this project?
• PDF version of your master thesis (file should be no larger than 20MB; compress images if necessary)
• Curriculum vitae
• List of publications (if available)
• Digital copies of diplomas and complete course grade transcripts (B.Sc. and M.Sc.)

We ensure a full consideration for applications received by 15/02/2024. Please apply ONLINE formally through the HR system. Applications by email will not be considered.

The University of Luxembourg embraces inclusion and diversity as key values. We are fully committed to removing any discriminatory barrier related to gender, and not only, in recruitment and career progression of our staff.

Requirements
Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

University of Luxembourg

Country

Luxembourg

City

Luxembourg

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.aplitrak.com/?adid=UmVjcnVpdGluZy4xMjM4OC45OTA4QHVuaXZlcnNpdHlvZmx1…

Contact

E-Mail

[email protected]

Phone

STATUS: EXPIRED