PhD Student (Index no. 3702-03)

The Paul Scherrer Institute PSI is the largest research institute for natural and engineering sciences within Switzerland. We perform cutting-edge research in the fields of matter and materials, energy and environment and human health. By performing fundamental and applied research, we work on sustainable solutions for major challenges facing society, science and economy. PSI is committed to the training of future generations. Therefore, about one quarter of our staff are post-docs, postgraduates or apprentices. Altogether, PSI employs 2100 people.

For the Thin Films & Interfaces group we are looking for a

PhD Student

Your tasks

The storage of electrical energy in batteries is among the most important technological and scientific challenges. Rechargeable batteries are essential, not only for the portable electronics and electric mobility sectors, but also to store the energy produced by renewable sources with intermittent nature, such as wind or solar light. To increase the capacity of the device, reduce the weight, and ensure safety, the next generation of battery is expected to be based on the all-solid-state design by replacing the liquid electrolyte with a solid state ionic conductor.

Many challenges must be addressed to achieve this goal. The Thin Films and Interfaces group uses thin film heterostructures with high crystalline quality, controlled crystallographic properties, and well-defined interfaces as ideal model systems for the characterization of new ionic conductors and innovative material architectures. Moreover, the growth of thin films for solid state batteries have an intrinsic and highly significant technological impact for the development of miniaturized batteries with applications in portable / wearable electronics or biomedical implants.

• Responsible for the growth of thin films by pulsed laser deposition, along with the characterization of their structural, morphological, compositional, and electrical properties
• Master characterization methods such as X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy and electrical measurements (e.g., impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry)
• Involved in the design and setup of a new sample holder for thin film deposition that enables in situ impedance spectroscopy measurements
• Submit regular proposals to the Large Scale Facilities at PSI (the Swiss Muon Source) to perform experiments using muon spin spectroscopy
• The PhD degree will be received from the ETH Zürich