Postdoc on the Physics and Chemistry of Layered Metal Chalcogenides

The Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (IESL) of the Foundation for Research and Technology -  Hellas (FORTH),* in the frame of the project DOMINION, funded under the Office of Naval Research (ONR) Global, is seeking to recruit one (1) post-doctoral researcher.

 

Job Description

DOMINION provides an intimate engagement of syntheses and characterisation for a wide range of layered iron-based chalcogenide compounds. The challenges set out here will be tackled through a cross-disciplinary, collaborative initiative between European (Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas, Greece & Warsaw University of Technology, Poland) and US DOE scientists (Brookhaven National Lab, NY & National High Magnetic Field Lab, FL). A comprehensive range of research activities, engaging young researchers (PhD and post-doc levels) with senior scientists, is organized to facilitate a resource-sharing culture and tackle open questions.

Understanding superconductivity in the materials of interest requires tackling the subtle stoichiometry necessitated for a sizeable superconducting critical temperature (Tc). The team will develop low-temperature chemical routes (Department of Inorganic Chemistry and Solid State Technology, WUT; contact: Dr A. Krzton-Maziopa), which in conjunction with the physical properties (Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, FORTH; contact: Dr. A. Lappas) of the acquired materials will allow parameterising the conditions leading to Tc enhancement.

The successful post-doctoral candidate will focus on the fundamental physics and chemistry of inter-atomic interactions of solid-state iron-chalcogenide magnets and superconductors, made up of functional molecular components with nanoscale dimensions. For this, user-facility photon and neutron science US DOE labs, with their advanced analytical instrumentation, optimized for high -flux/ -resolution/ -data throughput, unavailable anywhere else in the world, will be utilized to generate key insights on how (structural and electronic / magnetic) correlations at the atomic level of matter are built and influence the superconducting electrons to pair-up.

The post-doctoral researcher should be able and willing to travel to conduct experiments at DOE facilities in the USA.

 

Required qualifications

• PhD degree in Physical Sciences
• Demonstrated ability in quantitative structural analysis methods (e.g. Rietveld, pair distribution function)
• Proved experience in analytical experimental techniques, including, magnetometry and X-ray diffraction
• Excellent knowledge of the English language
• Greek male candidates must have fulfilled their military obligations

 

Desired requirements

• Publications in peer-reviewed journals and scientific presentations in conferences is desired
• MSc degree in experimental techniques for condensed matter materials science (e.g. development of low-temperature physics probes) will be an advantage
• Programming skills for data acquisition and reduction will be beneficial
• Successful candidates must be able to work in an interdisciplinary environment

Applications received before 1st February 2019 will receive immediate attention; however, applications will be reviewed thereafter until the position is filled.

 

In order to be considered, the application must include:

• Application Form (please download file from the job announcement webpage http://www.iesl.forth.gr/research/showfile.aspx?Id=201901071165)
• A cover letter describing your research interests
• CV and publications list
• Two (2) reference letters, e-mailed directly to the addresses below.
• Scanned copies of the ready available academic titles

Applications will be reviewed till the position is filled