A two-year post-doctoral position is available at the Laboratory for Processing of Advanced Composites (LPAC, Institute of Materials, EPFL).

Subject:

The objective is to develop parylene-based multilayer barrier films for the encapsulation of future active implants that are minimally invasive, durable and biointegrated, in close collaboration with the Laboratory for Soft Bioelectronic Interfaces (LSBI-EPFL) and the Swiss company Comelec.

Task:

Focus of the postdoctoral activity will be on the development of a robust accelerated aging protocol based on a novel ultrasensitive permeation measurement method. The research work will also include detailed analyses and modeling of the process-structure-property relations for the multilayer film architectures.The candidate must possess a solid background in physical chemistry and/or materials science, with an excellent knowledge of transport phenomena, interfacial chemistry and corrosion of metals, and a genuine interest for multiphysics modeling.

He or she will integrate and actively collaborate with a team of specialists in processing and characterization of flexible thin film devices and will be responsible for:

• the development and implementation of a novel permeation measurement method;
• the creation of a robust protocol for accelerated testing of soft implantable electronics;
• the experimental characterization of the microstructure of the multilayer films and their mechanical and diffusion barrier properties using state of the art methods;
• the optimization of the multilayer structure in view of its application to soft bioelectronic devices. Mastering of the English language is also required.

Application:

Please send your application with the subject line «Postdoctoral position on multilayer thin film devices» to yves.leterrier@epfl.ch

A single pdf file containing all the required information (incomplete applications will not be considered). It shall include a motivation letter, a detailed CV and the names and contact details of three reference persons.

Further information available in the following document: « LPAC-EPFL Postdoctoral position on multilayer thin film devices.pdf »

The University Sorbonne Paris Nord (USPN, France) in partnership with the Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI, Italy) are looking for a PhD student on : 

Subject: " Towards new multi elemental amorphous thin films with enhanced mechanical properties and thermal stability ''

Short description:

Thin film metallic glasses (TFMGs) are object of increasing scientific interest due to their excellent mechanicalproperties, e.g. yield strength close to the theoretical limit (>3 GPa) and large elastic deformation (~5%). Moreover, their disordered atomic structure is at the origin of unique functional properties including corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. However, the research on the synthesis and characterization of TFMGs is in a preliminary phase, preferring investigations on bulk counterparts. In this context, this project focuses on synthesis of metallic films with disordered structure at the nanoscale obtained through vapor phase deposition techniques and on the investigation of relationship between atomic structure–mechanical properties–thermal stability.

PhD tasks:

• TFMG deposition by magnetron sputtering and pulsed laser deposition with different composition and thickness;
• Study of the structural/mechanical properties and thermal stability;
• Design of engineered TFMGs with enhanced mechanical properties/thermal stability and characterization.

Further information and application:

For further information and application please send your CV, your exam scores (bachelor and master) and max 2 reference contacts/letters to: Dr. Matteo Ghidelli (matteo.ghidelli@lspm.cnrs.fr) and Prof. Damien Faurie (faurie@univ-paris13.fr)

More information on the subject, supervision, funding are available in the following document: « PhD position UFI_USPN-POLIMI.pdf »

Subject: 'Development of a new STEM-in-SEM technique'

You will be registered as PhD Student at the Université de Lorraine and employed by JEOL EUROPE SAS (CIFRE program).

Your task:

Develop a new cutting-edge technique for characterizing defects by electron microscopy.

Perform detailed analyses of deformation microstructures.

Results will be discussed in the framework of materials science.

Interact with several researchers and engineers.

Publish your work in international scientific journals.

Application:

For further information and application resume including addresses of referees and your exam scores (bachelor and master), please contact: Dr. Antoine GUITTON antoine.guitton@univ-lorraine.fr; Prof. Emmanuel BOUZY emmanuel.bouzy@univ-lorraine.fr

More information on the project are available in the following document: « ApplicationPhD-JEOL-LEM3.pdf »

The Physics and Mechanics of Materials Department (PDP and SIMAC teams) at the Institut PPRIME is looking for a PhD on:

Mechanical properties of nanotwinned gold thin films

Scientific Context:

A twin is a portion of a crystal with a particular orientation, for example obtained by a reflection, with respect to a matrix with the same crystalline structure. Twins may appear during plastic deformation, crystal growth or recrystallization. During the last years, nanotwinned materials have been the subject of great interest due to their remarkable mechanical properties: they present large mechanical resistance, ductility and work-hardening capacities. Moreover, they have the same electrical resistivity as coarse grain crystals.

In this context, the “PtyMet” project aims at characterizing the stress field in nanotwinned thin films, and its impact on physical properties. We will combine experiments (X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy) and simulations (molecular statics and dynamics) and focus on single-crystalline nanotwinned gold thin films. From a numerical point of view, atomistic scale simulations are particularly well adapted tools for these studies. They include key materials properties such as the stacking fault and twin boundary energies, allowing precise descriptions of the defect configurations (e.g. dislocations, grain boundaries, twins). Furthermore, atomic scale simulations and experiments are now working on converging spatial scales. From the experimental point of view, X-ray diffraction can be used to determine the twinned volume (via pole figures) or the stress state in the sample (via Bragg peaks displacement). Moreover, using a coherent X-ray beam allows the characterization of single crystalline defects such as dislocations or twins.

PhD task:

Optimization of the deposition conditions is mandatory in order to prepare homogeneous thin films, without other defects than the twins.The films’ microstructure before deformation will be precisely characterized.Simultaneously, atomic scale simulations will be used to establish the elastic strain field associated with different nanotwinned thin film microstructures. Equilibrium conditions will be determined using semi-empirical potentials, that are reliable for gold. The impact of the twins’ density and thickness will be studied.Finally,in-situ tensile tests at synchrotron radiation sources, using both classical and coherent X-ray diffraction,will be performed. This, together with atomic scale simulations,will allow a full characterization, from the atomic to the macro-scale, of the mechanical properties of nanotwinned gold thin films.

Required skills/qualification:

The applicant should hold a master degree in solid-state physics or materials science. He/she should show a shared interest in computer simulations and in experimental work. Skills in atomic scale simulations and / or X-ray diffraction will be an asset.

Application:

send a CV and a cover letter to the contacts below.

Contact:

Sandrine BROCHARD sandrine.brochard@univ-poitiers.fr

Pierre GODARD pierre.godard@univ-poitiers.fr

More information (and a french version) are available in the following document:  these_PhD_PtyMet_nanotwins.pdf »

This post-doctoral position is to be held at FEMTO-ST (www.femto-st.fr), within the Dpt. Of Applied Mechanics. FEMTO-ST is a joint research unit which is affiliated with the French National Centre of Scientific Research (CNRS), the University of Franche-Comté (UFC), the National School of Mechanical Engineering and Microtechnology (ENSMM), and the Belfort-Montbéliard University of Technology (UTBM).

Scientific context:

This part of the CAVHYTATION project is intended to provide new insights in chemo-mechanical couplings at the microscale, in order to assess the potentialities of innovative micromechanical sensors. Micromechanical structures have been realized and a dedicated surface chemistry is under validation in order to provide a representative model system. As a post-doc in the PMMCM group, you will be in charge of two innovative experiments intended to probe the fine-scale deformation of the structures when their surface undergoes a chemical modification. One of these experiments is to be conducted together with a group operating at SOLEIL. These fine-scale displacements are crucial to elucidate the role of the material in the chemo-mechanical transduction.

Required qualifications:

The applicant is expected to have significant background and extensive experience as experimentalist. Experience in multidisciplinary environments would be greatly appreciated. Excellent communication skills as well as a team-oriented attitude are requested

Further information may be obtained from Fabien Amiot (fabien.amiot@femto-st.fr).

Information on duration and application are available in the following document: « profile_cavhytation.pdf »