Vacant job

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is consistently ranked among the world's leading universities. We have 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 the conditions of human life.

Description of the Department

The Department 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 50 employees. The research focus is on experimental studies of the electronic, structural, and chemical properties of materials. The department develops activities related to magnetic properties. At the department, we use and develop a broad range of synchrotron, neutron, and lab-based techniques. We are also involved in developing beamlines, experimental stations, experimental techniques, and accelerator systems for the MAX IV Laboratory, and we have a close connection with the European Spallation Source (https://www.ess.eu (https://www.ess.eu)), a new European neutron facility currently under construction adjacent to MAX IV. MAX IV is a national large-scale laboratory that is part of Lund University and is within cycling distance from the Department of Physics.

A significant part of this project will be carried out at the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) in Grenoble, France, which is Europe's leading research facility for neutron science. Every year, ILL hosts over 2,000 visiting researchers who use a state-of-the-art set of neutron scattering instruments for research in a wide range of fields, particularly in fundamental materials science and condensed matter.

More specifically, and most relevant for this project, neutron spectroscopy is used to investigate material dynamics, which is key to understanding quantum mechanical phenomena.

Being a PhD Student

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

As a doctoral student, you are trained in a scientific approach. This can be briefly described as gaining practice in critical and analytical thinking, solving problems independently using appropriate methods, and developing an awareness of research ethics. Additionally, as a PhD student, you have the opportunity to work on projects, develop 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 information about being a PhD student at the Faculty of Science can be found at naturvetenskap.se (https://naturvetenskap.se).

Subject and Project Description

The interaction of electrons in materials constitutes a rich and complex source of physical problems, partly due to the difficulties in handling the large number of many-body interactions. These interactions give rise to fundamental quantum mechanical states such as superconductivity and magnetism. New quantum states of matter are discovered regularly. External perturbations can drive a magnetic state into a new phase, providing important information about internal exchange interactions.

The main research area for this position is to investigate how heat transport in crystals can be influenced by a magnetic field. This is observed in the thermal Hall effect, which is the thermal counterpart to the electrical Hall effect. In many materials, an orthogonal thermal gradient arises when a thermal gradient is applied followed by a magnetic field. The mechanisms behind this are still unknown. In this project, this will be investigated with a focus on the thermal carriers, by using inelastic neutron scattering to identify and characterize potential carriers, with the aim of explaining how they couple to an external magnetic field. With this information, we will be able to test theoretical explanations and clarify which types of mechanisms are possible in such quantum materials.

The project will involve experimental work at large-scale facilities (synchrotron and neutron sources) around the world. The data analysis of the XPCS method will require handling large datasets.

• General syllabus for doctoral education

Job Responsibilities

You will primarily focus on your doctoral education, which largely consists of writing a doctoral thesis. You will conduct experimental work at large-scale facilities (synchrotron and neutron sources) around the world, primarily in Europe, supplemented by laboratory experiments at Lund University. You will present your results at seminars and conferences. The experimental work involves preparing samples, setting up experimental equipment, and collecting data. You will also participate in the design and manufacturing of a sample holder that enables measurements of heat transfer, in collaboration with experts. For work at large-scale facilities, experimental time is allocated through competitive peer review, and you will learn to write successful proposals. You will also work on analyzing experimental data and comparing it with theoretical models. As part of your PhD education, you will also take certain courses, both within the subject area and in transferable skills. In addition to studies, up to 20% of working time may be devoted to teaching and other institutional duties.

For more information about the position, follow the link: https://lu.varbi.com/what:job/jobID:944071/ (https://lu.varbi.com/what:job/jobID:944071/)

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