Post-doctoral fellow in Physics: Perovskite nanocrystal devices for on-chip communication

The Division of Synchrotron Radiation Physics (www.sljus.lu.se) is a part of the Department of Physics and has more than 50 employees. The focus of the research is experimental studies of electronic, structural and chemical properties of materials, accelerators for Synchrotron radiation and instruments and methods for Synchrotron radiation. At the Division 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. We also host one of Sweden's largest facilities for scanning probe microscopy. 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.

This recruitment is connected to the Wallenberg Initiative Materials Science for Sustainability (WISE, wise-materials.org). WISE, funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, is the largest-ever investment in materials science in Sweden and will encompass major efforts at Sweden’s foremost universities over the course of 10 years. The vision is a sustainable future through materials science.
Read more: https://wise-materials.org . All early-stage researchers recruited into the WISE program will be a part of the WISE Research School https://wise-materials.org/research-school/, an ambitious nationwide program of seminars, courses, research visits, and other activities to promote a strong multi-disciplinary and international network between PhD students, postdocs, researchers, and industry.

Subject description

  The postdoc project will develop light emitters and receivers based on perovskite nanocrystals. A new family of semiconductors, metal halide perovskites, have in recent years shown excellent performance in various optoelectronic applications, most famously for solar cells but also for lasers, LEDs and fundamental physics.

  We have developed templated growth of perovskite nanocrystals and nanowires in different shapes. The nanowire shape, with a diameter that is less than the wavelength of visible light, results in highly directional emission and absorption of light, which could dramatically improve the performance of light emitters and receivers.

  The postdoc will create devices from these perovskite nanocrystals 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 be characterized and optimized using electrical and optical methods. The project is primarily experimental and will require extensive work in the cleanroom of the Lund Nano Lab.

Work duties

The main duties involved in a post-doctoral posistion is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours. The position shall include the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning.

Qualification requirements

Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position, completed no more than three years before the date of employment decision. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier. The subject of the doctoral degree should be in physics or equivalent. The PhD degree does not have to be completed at the time of application.

Additional requirements:

• Very good spoken and written proficiency in English.

Assessment criteria and other qualifications

This is a career development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in a career, and the assessment of the applicants will primarily be based on their research qualifications and potential as researchers.

Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject.

For appointments to a post-doctoral position, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• A good ability to develop and conduct high quality research.
• Teaching skills.

For the present position, extensive experience in fabrication of perovskite devices is essential. Experience with nanofabrication methods or perovskite crystal growth are beneficial but not strictly necessary.

Additional assessment criteria are (not in order of importance):

1. Experience with electron /hole selective materials for perovskites
2. Experience with semiconductor fabrication techniques such as lithography
3. Experience with nanoscale device fabrication methods
4. Experience in semiconductor physics
5. Experience in optical and electrical characterization of semiconductors.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

Terms of employment

This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of a maximum of 2 years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow”) between Lund University, SACO-S and OFR/S, dated 1st February 2022.

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English containing:

• résumé/CV, including a list of publications,
• a general description of past research and future research interests (no more than three pages),
• contact information of at least two references,
• copy of the doctoral degree certificate, and other certificates/grades that you wish to be considered.