Three-year PhD position in Materials engineering (funded by A*Midex)

RESEARCHER PROFILE:  PhD/ R1: First stage Researcher                 
RESEARCH FIELD(S)1: Chemistry
MAIN SUB RESEARCH FIELD OR DISCIPLINES1: Engineering, physics

JOB /OFFER DESCRIPTION 
Context: There are still several bottlenecks to obtain efficient solar water splitting which can produce hydrogen through a decarbonized approach. There is a strong interest into developing photoelectrodes from inexpensive materials to circumvent the energy cost associated to highly purified silicon or III-V semiconductors (buried junction). Their light absorption and charge transport properties are moderate and one can only increase the optical path so much before it affects the charge collection ability. 

Main objective: This project aims to improve the photoelectrochemical performances of large band gap semiconducting photoanodes by shaping them into Mie resonant metasurface (MRM) in order to trap light via a drastic increase in internal light scattering or by relocating near-field wave. Their high refractive index n and low extinction coefficient k suggest strong Mie resonance can be achieved. This should increase, at the very least, the effective optical path allowing additional light adsorption for a given thickness. The MRM will be fabricated through metal oxide direct nanoimprint (MOx-DNI) from nanoparticle slurries (inspired from nanoimprint lithography.

Work environment: MOx-DNI is recognized as an ideal technique to pattern dielectric materials at the MRM scale we are interested in (100-500 nm), is inexpensive, simple and can easily be adapted to the industrial throughput requirements. The student will carry out his research in a group of material chemists with a strong expertise in the field of liquid casting for thin films and MOx-DNI. The proximity with opto-physicists and electrochemists will be helpful. 

Duties: This multidisciplinary project will tackle different aspects; the student will be able to focus on:

• The synthesis of suitable oxide nanoparticles, using sol-gel, hydrothermal or microwave (MW)-assisted chemical synthesis. 
• studying the solid-state chemistry approach allowing diffusive sintering from different nanopowder sources (e.g., oxides, metals, salt) and evaluate the possibility to retain the desired morphology throughout the process. 
• characterization involving at least structural (XRD, electron microscopy), optical (UV-Vis, ellipsometry) and photoelectrochemical measurements (PEC)
• nanoimprint to texture MRM to be characterized through electrochemical microscopy and implemented inside a PEC cell to compare with the reference planar photoelectrodes. 

Major scientific locks: Solid state chemistry will play a major role in order to obtain the right crystal phase. The investigation might lead us towards unexpected outcomes. Understanding the impact of optimized Mie resonance on the final photoelectrochemical performance will require in parallel fundamental studies to correlate with experimental output. 

Funding: The project is funded by the A*Midex “Rercherche Blanc” project call (project PLiTOP).

TYPE OF CONTRACT: TEMPORARY / JOB STATUS: FULL TIME / HOURS PER WEEK: 35
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 10/07/2024 
ENVISAGED STARTING DATE: 01/10/2024
ENVISAGED DURATION: 36 months
JOB NOT FUNDED THROUGH AN EU RESEARCH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME

WORK LOCATION(S): Centre Interdisciplinaire de Nanoscience de Marseille, CINaM Lab UMR 7325, CNRS - Aix Marseille Université, Campus de Luminy, Avenue de Luminy, 13009 MARSEILLE 

WHAT WE OFFER: 

• Leaders in the field of sol gel chemistry and nanoimprint lithography.
• The necessary leadership to promote the good lab habits and train the student to become an independent and motivated researcher.
• Proper guidance for the students to prepare for writing scientific publications and the thesis.
• Salary follows national regulations (around 2100€/month gross, 1600-1700/month after tax).
• Multicultural team with high level of English fluency.
• French classes for foreigners can be subsidized.
• Good connections with industry and several start-ups.

Additional information: The Euraxess Center of Aix-Marseille Université informs foreign visiting professors, researchers, postdoc and PhD candidates about the administrative steps to be undertaken prior to arrival at AMU and the various practical formalities to be completed once in France: visas and entry requirements, insurance, help finding accommodation, support in opening a bank account, etc. More information on AMU EURAXESS Portal 

QUALIFICATIONS, REQUIRED RESEARCH FIELDS, REQUIRED EDUCATION LEVEL, PROFESSIONAL SKILLS, OTHER RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS (years of research experience
To apply for a PhD fellowship, candidates must hold an internationally-recognized Master-equivalent degree in materials chemistry, materials engineering, optical physics, nanosciences, or the likes, in relation with the project. Experience in chemical synthesis of inorganic materials, solid-state chemistry, ceramics, (photo)electrochemistry, optical simulation (FDTD for light matter interaction) will be highly appreciated, but is not mandatory. No restrictions of citizenship apply to the PhD fellowship.

Soft skills: Scientific curiosity, English proficiency, problem solving, autonomy, analytical and critical thinking, writing skills, presentation skills.

REQUESTED DOCUMENTS OF APPLICATION, ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, SELECTION PROCESS

• a Curriculum Vitae 
• a presentation letter with declaration of interests and past achievements (max. 1 page) 
• contact email of two potential references (as well as professional webpage)
• a scanned copy of your university academic transcripts in English 
• a scanned copy of the Master degree, if available at the time of application 
• a scanned copy of standardized English test results (TOEFL, TOEIC…) if available

HOW TO APPLY: victor.malgras@univ-amu.fr