We are inviting applications for a postdoc position at the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST). The successful candidate will be part of the Ferroics Materials for Transducers group, developing theoretical and simulation-based research under the supervision of Jorge Íñiguez.

The research will focus on the nanostructured ferroelectric materials that gather much attention today. One big reason for this excitement are the novel ferroelectric textures that these compounds display when reduced to nanometric dimensions and subject to suitable elastic and electric boundary conditions. Most remarkably, these phases include topologically non-trivial states such as skyrmions, and often present very interesting and potentially useful properties ranging from “voltage amplification” (which could lead to the development of low-power electronics) to tunable high-frequency responses (needed for ultra-broadband communications) or ultra-fast low-voltage ferroelectric switching (to develop next-generation memories and transistors). Hence, nanostructured ferroelectrics are one of today’s most exciting fields for both research in fundamental physics and the potential development of disruptive technologies.

Theoretical and simulation methods have been critical to advance our understanding and control of these fascinating materials, but we are already exhausting the possibilities of the existing tools. On one hand, predictive atomistic methods do not allow us to access the mesoscopic length and time scales that are relevant to some of the most interesting phenomena (e.g., skyrmion manipulation). On the other hand, continuum field theories employ models that are too rough to capture the atomistic complexities of these nanostructures and, thus, do not allow us to run truly predictive simulations.

We offer a 2-year postdoc position to join the project “Ferrodynamics”, which aims at the development of continuum methods that retain the accuracy and predictive power of atomistic simulations while allowing to tackle the relevant mesoscales of interest. The postdoc will join the ongoing work, with a particular focus on the application of the new phase-field methods to investigate selected exciting problems, most likely in connection with the dynamical response of complex ferroelectric states.

Our ideal candidate:

• holds a PhD in Condensed Matter Physics, Materials Science or a related discipline;
• has experience with phase-field simulations, preferably applied to ferroelectrics;
• enjoys programming and has experience with python, Fortran and/or C++;
• enjoys team work and an interdisciplinary environment;
• is fluent in English (both written and oral).

The position is for 2 years. The starting date is flexible, the latest possible being December 1, 2023. We offer a competitive salary and a dynamic work environment in one of the most rapidly-growing and best-funded research ecosystems in Europe.

Interested candidates are welcome to submit their application at this web. (Applications by e-mail will not be considered.) Please upload a CV as complete as possible and a letter explaining your interest in the position and suitability for it. For queries, feel free to contact Jorge Íñiguez ([email protected]).