Vacant job

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is consistently ranked among the world's leading universities. There are approximately 46,000 students and 8,500 employees in Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö. We are united in our strive to understand, explain, and improve our world and people's conditions.

Description of the activity

The Division of Synchrotron Radiation Physics (http://www.sljus.lu.se (http://www.sljus.lu.se)) is part of the Department of Physics and has more than 40 employees. The research focuses on experimental studies of the electronic, structural, and chemical properties of materials. The division is developing a new activity focused on magnetic properties.

At the division, we use and develop a broad spectrum of both large facility-based and laboratory-based techniques. We are also engaged in the development of the MAX IV Laboratory in the areas of beamlines, experimental stations, synchrotron radiation techniques, and accelerator systems.

MAX IV (www.maxiv.lu.se (http://www.maxiv.lu.se/)) is a national large-scale research laboratory operated by Lund University and is located a bike ride away from the Department of Physics. It offers researchers from Sweden and the rest of the world access to one of the world's most brilliant synchrotron light sources, as well as instrumentation for research in areas such as materials science, structural biology, chemistry, and nanotechnology.

For more information about the project's main supervisor, please refer to: http://www.sljus.lu.se/jesper-wallentin/ (http://www.sljus.lu.se/jesper-wallentin/)

Being a PhD student

As a PhD student, you are both admitted as a student and employed at Lund University.

As a doctoral student, you are trained in a scientific approach. This can be briefly described as gaining practice in thinking critically and analytically, solving problems independently using appropriate methods, and developing research ethics awareness. Additionally, as a PhD student, you have the opportunity to work on projects, develop your leadership skills, and enhance your pedagogical abilities. Throughout your studies, you are guided by supervisors. The doctoral studies conclude with a thesis and a doctoral degree.

More about being a PhD student at the Faculty of Science can be found at naturvetenskap.se (https://naturvetenskap.se).

Nanofocused X-ray diffraction for ferroelectric domain dynamics

The project will develop nanofocused X-ray diffraction (XRD) to image domain dynamics in ferroelectric materials. These materials have domains with parallel electric polarization, similar to magnetic domains in ferromagnetic materials. Ferroelectric materials are used and developed for a range of applications, such as memory and computing. The ferroelectric properties are largely governed by the dynamics of the domains, which range in size from tens of nanometers to a few micrometers.

In recent years, the spatial resolution of nanofocused X-ray diffraction has become sufficient to image individual domains, providing unique opportunities to study their dynamics during processes such as switching. The NanoMAX beamline at MAX IV, the world's first fourth-generation synchrotron, offers a unique combination of high flux and spatial resolution with excellent opportunities for in situ studies.

This position is part of a collaboration with two German institutes: Max Born in Berlin and the University of Mainz. It is also part of a collaboration between NanoLund, the Division of Synchrotron Radiation Physics (SRR), and NanoMAX. The PhD student will collaborate with various groups that synthesize ferroelectric materials and components. In particular, the PhD student will develop methods and instrumentation for in situ imaging of ferroelectric and ferromagnetic domains during switching.

• General study plan for doctoral education

Job responsibilities

You will primarily focus on your doctoral education, which largely consists of writing a doctoral thesis.

Your PhD project combines the development of experimental setups, synchrotron radiation measurements, and data analysis, and includes the following:

• Design and testing of a new system for electrical measurements and heating at the NanoMax beamline
• Synchrotron radiation experiments at MAX IV and other international synchrotrons
• Analysis of large datasets using AI and computing clusters

In addition to the studies, a maximum of 20% of working time may be devoted to teaching and other departmental duties.

For more information about the position, follow the link: https://lu.varbi.com/what:job/jobID:944284/ (https://lu.varbi.com/what:job/jobID:944284/)

Open to all
We focus on your competence, not your other prerequisites. We are open to adapting the role or workplace to your needs.