Doctoral student in Physics within the discipline of magnetic materials - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Division of Synchrotron Radiation Research (www.sljus.lu.se) is a part of the Department of Physics and has about 50 employees. The focus of the research is on experimental studies of electronic, structural, chemical, and magnetic properties of materials, as well as on accelerators and instrumentation for Synchrotron radiation. We use and develop a wide range of Synchrotron- and lab-based techniques, such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy/imaging and X-ray diffraction/imaging. Work is carried out at MAX IV Laboratory (www.maxiv.lu.se/) situated in Lund, which holds a 4th generation synchrotron. Strong connections to Lund Laser Center (www.llc.lu.se) also exist providing advanced laser sources. In addition, we host one of Sweden's largest facilities for scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM).

NanoLund (www.nano.lu.se) is the Centre for Nanoscience at Lund University. NanoLund is today Sweden’s largest research environment for nanoscience, engaging approximately 270 PhD students and scientists in the Faculties of Engineering, Science, and Medicine. It also operates Lund Nano Lab, a state-of-the-art cleanroom for the synthesis, processing, and characterization of semiconductor nanostructures.

Work duties

Permanent magnets are critical components in technologies that convert electric power into motion or vice versa, mechanical energy into electricity. Magnetic materials thus play an essential role in replacing fossil fuels in vehicles and transitioning to renewable energy sources. A promising strategy for generating the next generation of permanent magnets is combining nanostructures of hard and soft magnetic materials to produce nanocomposites.

The project aims to produce and characterize hard and soft magnetic nanowires and combine them to form hard-soft nanocomposites. The nanowires are generated using a novel technique based on magnetic-field-directed self-assembly of nanoparticles produced by spark ablation. The successful candidate will be involved in producing nanoparticles, generating magnetic nanowires and nanocomposites, and the structural and magnetic characterization. The characterization will be performed using electron microscopy, magnetometry, and synchrotron-based spectroscopy and imaging techniques at the MaxIV laboratory and other large-scale facilities worldwide. Hence, the doctoral student will gain comprehensive experience in several characterization tools for nanomaterials. The project is primarily experimental and will require extensive work in different laboratories but will also involve programming to handle and analyze data and theoretical work such as setting up models for interpreting the data. The doctoral student is expected to work independently and in close collaboration with researchers carrying out other tasks within the project.

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

We expect your undergraduate studies to include solid-state physics (or materials science), materials characterization, and quantum mechanics courses. The ability for skilful laboratory work is essential, and demonstrated experience will be considered a merit, and so will experience in magnetism, magnetic materials, and related characterization tools, as well as programming skills. Besides creativity and a curious mind, important personal qualities are the ability to work independently and in a group, self-motivation, and experience in scientific interaction with researchers from other disciplines and in other countries.

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 §§.

Instructions on how to apply

Applications must be written in English 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.