Doctoral student in Physics; advanced nanostructures for photon detection and sustainable energy generation - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Division of Synchrotron Radiation Research (http://www.sljus.lu.se) is a part of the Department of Physics and has more than 40 employees. The focus of the research is on experimental studies of electronic, structural, and chemical properties of materials. The Division is developing a new activity focussing on magnetic properties.  At the Division we use and develop a wide range of large facility- and lab-based techniques. We are additionally engaged in the development of the MAX IV Laboratory in the fields of beamlines, experimental stations, techniques for Synchrotron radiation and the accelerator systems. MAX IV (www.maxiv.lu.se/) is a national large-scale research laboratory hosted by Lund University and situated within biking distance from the Department of Physics. It provides scientists from Sweden and the rest of the world with the most brilliant Synchrotron radiation source and instrumentation for research in areas such as materials science, structural biology, chemistry and nanotechnology.

NanoLund (http://www.nano.lu.se), formerly known as the Nanometer Structure Consortium, founded in 1988, supports and coordinates activities within nanoscience and nanotechnology at Lund University. NanoLund is today Sweden’s largest research environment for nanoscience, engaging approximately 250 PhD students and scientists in the faculties of engineering, the natural sciences, and medicine at Lund University. Its vision is to bring together the most creative minds in a world-leading interdisciplinary research environment to help overcome society's grand challenges by pushing the frontiers of nanoscience. NanoLund runs Lund Nano Lab (https://www.nano.lu.se/facilities/lund-nano-lab), a state of the art facility for nanofabrication.

For more information about the main supervisor of the project, please see: http://www.sljus.lu.se/staff/jesper-wallentin/

Work duties

Solar cells and photodetectors absorb photons and convert their energy into electrical power, and they are essential for renewable energy generation, telecommunications and X-ray imaging. Their performance is limited by the semiconductor materials that they are formed of, but completely new optical and electronic semiconductors properties can be achieved by nanostructuring. For instance, quantum confinement can make the optical absorption strongly size dependent, and new crystal structures, that are unstable in bulk, can be created. Nanostructuring can therefore allow radically new device concepts.

This project will use state of the art nanofabrication methods to create novel devices that convert photons to electrical current. The student will develop devices and study their interaction with photons. In particular, the project will investigate the interaction of X-rays with nanostructures, with the aim of developing future high-resolution detectors. The project aims at reducing the pixel size of X-ray detectors from the current micrometer size to tens of nanometers.

The student will create devices in the Lund Nano Lab (https://www.nano.lu.se/facilities/lund-nano-lab), which has world class facilities for nanodevice fabrication. Devices will be made using electron beam lithography, crystal growth, metal evaporation and other nanofabrication tools. The devices will initially be characterized and optimized using electrical and optical methods. Subsequently, the devices will be tested using nanofocused X-ray beams at the Nanomax beamline at the new MAX IV synchrotron, as well as at PETRA-III in Germany, ESRF in France and other international synchrotron facilities.

The project is primarily experimental and will require extensive work in the cleanroom of the Lund Nano Lab. Knowledge and experience of X-rays is not required; this will form a part of the training as required. 

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

Admission requirements

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if he or she:

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third-cycle studies in Physics if he or she has:

• passed an independent project (e.g.degree project) of at least 30 credits in a relevant subject

Equivalent knowledge acquired through corresponding programmes will be assessed individually. In order to enable interdisciplinary initiatives and important specialisations in certain areas, students with qualifications in subjects other than Physics may be considered for admission.

Finally, the student must be judged to have the potential to complete the programme.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.

Other assessment criteria

For the present position, competence in semiconductor physics and related experimental methods are of special value.

Additional assessment criteria are:

1. Experience in semiconductor fabrication techniques such as lithography
2. Experience in semiconductor physics
3. Experience in optical and electrical characterization of semiconductors.
4. Experience with novel materials, such perovskites or nanowires.
5. Experience in X-ray sources, X-ray detectors and X-ray imaging
6. Experience in programming

Basis of assessment

Selection to postgraduate studies is based on the expected ability to perform well in the studies. The evaluation of the ability to perform well is based primarily on the results of studies at the basic and advanced levels, in particular:

1. Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of the study.
2. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
3. Written and oral communication skills
4. Other experience relevant to postgraduate studies, such as professional experience.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through his or her experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

Terms of employment

Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

Instruction on how to apply

Applications may be written in English or Swedish and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).

The English version of this announcement is an interpretation of national formalities expressed in the Swedish text. In case of uncertainties, the Swedish text applies.