Temporary contract | 14+22+12 months | Belvaux

Are you passionate about research? So are we! Come and join us

The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) is a Research and Technology Organization (RTO) active in the fields of materials, environment and IT. By transforming scientific knowledge into technologies, smart data and tools, LIST empowers citizens in their choices, public authorities in their decisions and businesses in their strategies.

In 2024, LIST and Goodyear signed the second phase of their partnership, 2024-2029, building on the outcomes of their previous collaboration and entering new technological areas as well. Goodyear-LIST partnership 2.0 embraces Luxembourg's National priorities, such as Sustainability, Digital transformation and Circular economy, through the execution of five Strategic Research Programs: Data Science for Tires, Tire as a Sensor, End-of-Life Tire Valorization, Sustainable Materials for Next Generation of Pneumatic Tires, Structure-Process-Properties Relationships.

The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) in partnership with Goodyear and with the support of an Industrial Partnership Block Grant (IPBG) from the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR) will drive significant research and development focused on next-generation sustainable tire materials including new types of polymers and rubbers.

As part of it, we are currently looking for a PhD student in surface acoustic wave strain sensor.

How will you contribute?

This position is mainly located at LIST premises in Belvaux (Luxembourg), with a significant part of time spent in Goodyear Luxembourg Innovation Center in Colmar-Berg (Luxembourg).

For this position, we are looking for a PhD student in surface acoustic wave strain sensor. Tires are of upmost importance for human mobility as they are the only component that hold a vehicle on the road. Intelligent tires collect data from different types of sensors (temperature, pressure, deformation, etc.) and transmit it through electronic system to a car user or manufacturer. They contribute to safer, more reliable and less fuel-intensive use of vehicles. Intelligent tires will be an important part of future mobility, especially in the view of electric and autonomous vehicles. But integration of devices such as surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors into tires is a challenging task as it must be done seamlessly with the tire manufacturing process. The integrated sensors must be robust, and they must work reliably in harsh environment for the whole lifetime of a tire. In this PhD project you will investigate the potential of SAW strain sensors, powered inductively with electromagnetic waves in the radio / microwave frequency range, to detect strain changes and damage in car tires. Your work will consist of the design of SAW electrodes & RF antenna for optimum performance based on known materials parameters, the fabrication of SAW structure & RF electrodes, the evaluation of their performance and their integration and testing in the environment of a car tire.

Is Your profile described below? Are you our future colleague? Apply now!

You hold a master’s degree in Materials Science, in Physics, or in Electrical Engineering

If you possess a combination of a solid state physics background and interdisciplinary skills, it is a strong asset. Previous hands-on experience with piezoelectrics, acoustic wave propagation in solids and/or RF antennas is desirable.

You can count on your strong communication and interpersonal skills; including a will to work with an industrial partner. You possess collaborative skills, initiative, autonomy, result oriented and capacity to work in an interdisciplinary environment. On top of that, you should have passion for technology, collaborative skills and be a team player. Fluency in spoken and written English is a must.

Your LIST benefits

• An organization with a passion for impact and strong RDI partnerships in Luxembourg and Europe that works on responsible and independent research projects
• Sustainable by design, empowering our belief that we play an essential role in paving the way to a green society
• Innovative infrastructures and exceptional labs occupying more than 5,000 square metres, including innovations in all that we do
• An environment encouraging curiosity, innovation and entrepreneurship in all areas
• Personalized learning programme to foster our staff’s soft and technical skills
• Multicultural and international work environment with more than 50 nationalities represented in our workforce
• Diverse and inclusive work environment empowering our people to fulfil their personal and professional ambitions
• Gender-friendly environment with multiple actions to attract, develop and retain women in science
• 32 days’ paid annual leave, 11 public holidays, 13-month salary, statutory health insurance
• Flexible working hours, home working policy and access to lunch vouchers

Apply online

This position is part of our Research Programme “Tire as a Sensor”, in which we are looking for 4 PhD candidates and 3 post docs all together.

Please apply ONLINE formally through the HR system. Applications by email will not be considered.

Your application must include:

• A motivation letter oriented towards the position and detailing your experience
• A scientific CV with contact details
• List of publications (and patents, if applicable)
• Contact details of 2 references

If you are selected after this first stage, you will be invited for a two-day visit in LIST and Goodyear on 3 and 4 October 2024 with your travel and accommodation expenses partly covered. During this on-site assessment, you will deliver a 15-minute talk in front a committee of researchers involved in the project and in front of other candidates. Moreover, you will have one-to-one interviews with our researchers and HR team member.

The successful candidate should start in Q2 2025.

Do you want to know more about LIST? Check our website: https://www.list.lu/

Discover our Materials activities: https://www.list.lu/en/materials/

Application procedure and conditions

We kindly request applicants to provide their nationality for statistical purposes only, as part of our commitment to promoting diversity and ensuring equal opportunities in our workforce. This information will be kept confidential and will not be used for any discriminatory purposes.

LIST is dedicated to maintaining an inclusive work environment and is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to attracting, hiring, and retaining a diverse workforce. All applicants will be considered for employment without discrimination based on national origin, race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, religion, age, or disability.

Applications will be continuously reviewed until the position is filled. An assessment committee will thoroughly evaluate applications, adhering to guidelines designed to ensure equal opportunities. The primary criteria for selection will be the alignment of the applicant's existing skills and expertise with the requirements mentioned above.

Please note that by applying you consent to share your application with Dr. Marcel WIRTZ (R&D Grant and Partnership Manager), Yves DECOSTER (Principal Engineer) and Dr. Jason MIDDELBERG (Innovation Technology Tire Intelligence OE) from Goodyear.

PhD additional conditions:

• Supervisor: Torsten Granzow
• Work location: Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Belvaux, Luxembourg
•  PhD enrolment: University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg

Candidates shall be available for starting their position in Q3 2025. Please note that university enrolment fees (currently 200 EUR per semester) must be covered by the successful applicant.

Your master diploma must be recognized in Luxembourg. Please refer to:

https://www.uni.lu/en/admissions/diploma-recognition/

https://guichet.public.lu/fr/citoyens/enseignement-formation/etudes-superieures/reconnaissance-diplomes.html

https://allea.org/code-of-conduct/