Calls and Positions Open

Here you find all the available calls and the positions open related to EU-MACE topics. 

Master internship: Quasi-2D freestanding oxide membranes

The objective of this internship is the characterisation of thin perovskite oxides, such as PbZrO3 and BaTiO3 (BTO) either as an individual freestanding layer or two layers twisted with respect to each other. In freestanding membranes there are no constrictions from the growth substrate, and thus we expect a change in their properties. We expect that reducing the oxides’ thickness and modifying mechanical and electrical boundary conditions and thus potential interfacial phenomena, will have a marked effect on the ferroelectric domain structure, the symmetry of the material, and lead to new properties. In this project the student will learn how to characterise perovskite oxide membranes using Raman spectroscopy (fig.1), scattering scanning near field optical microscopy and piezoresponse force microscopy to characterise the membranes’ ferroelectric properties. The student will acquire knowledge of optical as well as surface probe characterisation techniques, and statistical data analysis.

Location, salary, dates The proposed internship will take place at two sites of the GREMAN laboratory: Faculty of Science and Technology of the University (Parc Grandmont, 37200 Tours) and at the IUT (rue de la Chocolaterie 41029 Blois). It can start in February-March 2025, for a period up to 6 months. The salary will be a “gratification” of 4.35€/hour (around 600€ per month).

More details on how to apply here

Stage Master 2 in Development and functional characterisations of ferroelectric thin films of KNN by sol-gel

Master 2 Subject Title: Development and functional characterisations of ferroelectric thin films of KNN by sol-gel

Supervisory team: Kevin Nadaud, Guillaume Nataf, Nathalie Poirot

Context: Ferroelectric materials are studied for their wide variety of properties (direct and inverse piezoelectricity, high permittivity, hysteresis effect of polarisation with the application of an electric field, pyroelectricity, ...). These multifunctional materials are showing a growing interest in microelectronics applications, hence the interest of current research on the miniaturisation of these systems. These oxides offer a solution combining miniaturisation and reconfigurability in devices (high permittivity, controlled thin-film deposition, variation of their properties by application of an electric field) [1]. Currently, the ferroelectric material PbZrxTi1-xO3 (PZT) is the most widely used. However, the presence of lead, a highly toxic, in fact a compound that needs to be replaced, by the development of environmentally friendly materials environment. One of the alternatives to PZT is the compound KxNa1-xNbO3 (KNN) that occurs as an excellent candidate.

"Lieu du stage: le stage se déroulera au laboratoire GREMAN (UMR CNRS 7347) sur le site de Blois, avec quelques passages sur le site de Tours (https://greman.univ-tours.fr). Rémunération: sous forme de gratification (4,35€/heure) Période : durée minimale de 5 mois à partir de février-mars 2025 Modalités de candidature: envoi d’un CV et d’une lettre de motivation aux personnes contacts cidessous avant le 1er décembre."

More details here

Stage Master 2: Molecular dynamics simulations of the influence of domain walls on the thermal conductivity in barium titanate

Purpose of the internship: Learning the LAMMPS molecular dynamics code and a numerical code of wave propagation in a solid. This will involve understanding the physical mechanisms and comparing the results obtained with experimental results.

Work to be done: Understanding the concept of ferroelectric materials and how to calculate their thermal properties; handling an already existing open-source code (LAMMPS) and final report.

Internship gratification: 4.35€/hour (around 600€ per month). Location: University of Tours, Parc Grandmont, 31 Av. Monge, 37200 Tours Dates/duration: Starting in February-March 2025, 5 to 6 months Framework: OpenLabs INSA

More details on the project here

R&D Internship: Process for producing active layers based on ferroelectric/piezoelectric salts on porous silicon

Internship assignments: The proposed internship will take place on the GREMAN site, and more specifically, within the CERTeM1 technology platform, comprising almost 400 m2 of cleanroom space. The aim of the internship will be to participate in the characterization of porous silicon samples with different pore sizes. This will be followed by liquid-phase growth of a crystalline layer of RS or ADP on the surface of a prepared substrate. This will be followed by electrode deposition and sample characterization. Both structural and electrical properties will be tested on fabricated components. The work carried out may be the subject of scientific publications.

Candidate profile: The candidate will be an engineer or Master 2 with a solid knowledge of materials, possibly applied to microelectronics. Cleanroom skills would be a plus, but experimental skills are what we're looking for. It will be essential for the person recruited to have the human qualities required to fit into multidisciplinary work teams.

More details of the opportunity here

PhD Position at the Dutch Institute for Fundamental Energy Research (DIFFER) Coordinator: Anja Bieberle
(a.bieberle@differ.nl)

Electrochemical materials and interfaces are present in many energy systems, such as fuel cells, batteries, or water splitting devices. The performance of such devices is strongly related to the materials and interface properties. Therefore, understanding and tuning of these properties are crucial in order to reach highest performance and to supply alternative, sustainable energy solutions for the future.

In this frame, we recently received a grant for two PhD students, one on experiments and one on modeling. The scientific aim of this grant is to identify the limitations at photo-electrochemical water splitting interfaces by intertwining operando spectroscopy with microkinetic modeling.

More info on eligibility, criteria application procedure at this button below

More info
Post-Doc position at Uni of Oviedo Coordinator: Roberto Luis Iglesias Pastrana
(roberto@uniovi.es)

Applications are sought for a postdoctoral position at the University of Oviedo under the supervision of Profs. Víctor García Suárez and Roberto Iglesias Pastrana.

The aim is to theoretically study and develop next generation photoelectrochemical cells within the European project NEXPECH2.

Candidates should have experience in DFT simulations with various codes and methods and expertise with numerical simulations in general. Experience in machine learning methods and their application to materials science is also desirable. Mastery of relevant multiscale modelling techniques is an extra asset.

The working place is in Oviedo, one of the cleanest and safest cities in Europe, which is also the capital of Asturias, a northern Spanish region with plenty of wildlife, mountains and coast (on some occasions you could even go skiing in the morning and surfing in the afternoon).

For enquiries, please contact Profs. Víctor García Suárez (garciavictor@uniovi.es) or Roberto Iglesias Pastrana (roberto@uniovi.es).