Brief description about the university: Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS) is a research intensive university, focused on the development of society through new discoveries and the training of a new generation of scientists contributing to scientific, social and technological innovations. As a graduate level university, INRS maintains stringent admission criteria for research students. INRS ranks first in research intensity in Canada since 2018, with the highest funding received per faculty member and student member. INRS - EMT campus, where this PhD role is situated is in the greater Montreal area.

Project description: Non-equilibrium plasmas and catalysts have been successfully developed independently over the years to drive various chemical processes by changing reaction pathways and lowering activation barriers. Recently, the possibility of combining plasmas and catalysts has attracted a lot of attention due to the promise of alleviating the need of any rare and/or expensive materials while obtaining synergetic effects.

The successful applicant will work on an exciting interdisciplinary research program that has the potential to push sustainable energy technologies beyond their current limits. This program will specifically focus on designing efficient and affordable materials for plasma catalysis by understanding the underlying mechanisms. Contrary to classical processes, plasmas generate abundant numbers of highly reactive species such as vibrationally excited molecules that interact in completely different ways with surfaces. Also the plasma has the potential of changing and regenerating the properties of the catalyst itself due to impinging species such as (V)UV photons, ions and radicals. This innovative research topic will be tackled with the aid of advanced modelling techniques, and experimental collaborations with a focus on activation of stable molecules. The PhD candidate will work as part of an interdisciplinary team focused on developing novel energy materials and will have access to world-class computational facilities and collaborations.

Research area: Computational materials design, Plasma physics, Sustainable energy, Plasma catalysis, Quantum and classical mechanics simulations

Financial support: All students are entitled to receive financial support during their graduate studies. Moreover, students are also invited to apply for external scholarships from FRQNT, NSERC, etc.

Research advisors: Prof. Kulbir Ghuman

Essential requirement: Strong understanding of DFT (density functional theory) and strong evidence in scientific writing expertise is a must requirement. Candidates who are not able to illustrate these requirements will not be contacted.

Eligibility: Applicant should have a degree (M.Sc.) in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, or equivalent and must be fluent in English or French (orally as well as in written).

He/She should have affinity in solid state physics and/or computational chemistry.

How to apply: Interested candidates should send a

1. detailed CV,
2. cover letter,
3. academic records,
4. statement of interest (why are you interested in this role, 1 page), and
5. the contact details of two references at [email protected]
6. In your CV, please address the following three questions with YES/NO
   1. Do you have a Masters degree in material science, solid state physics, computational material design, computer science, mathematics or chemistry?
   2. Have you published in a scientific paper, or a masters thesis? (if yes, please highlight your publication in your cover letter)
   3. Do you have working knowledge of Density Functional Theory (DFT)?