36 (14+22) months contract | Belvaux-Luxembourg

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.

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

How will you contribute?

Are you passionate about research? Do you want to get a PhD in an emerging field that will impact the future?

Would you like to work in an international multidisciplinary team of 12 PhD students? Join us at MASAUTO!

MASAUTO is a research and training program focused on developing a new generation of materials for remote sensing applications. – such as real-time information on climate changes or for intelligent transportation systems –, what is generally called the “Internet of Things” (IoT). The full potential of the IoT will only be achievable if devices have a reliable and sustainable autonomous power supply and are capable of processing information with reduced power requirements. A promising approach to address the first challenge is the use of an energy harvester + supercapacitor combination, while for the second challenge a promising strategy is the use of non-volatile random-access memories. It is therefore crucial to develop materials for efficient energy harvesting and storage, as well as low loss electronics. That is the focus of MASAUTO.

In particular, you will investigate materials to develop the so-called supercapacitors, which enable high energy-storage densities and are nowadays in high demand to power IOT sensors. Recently, there has been increasing interest in purely electrostatic solid-state supercapacitors based on highly polarizable materials, e.g. ferroelectric and antiferroelectric compounds where the polar order appears spontaneously at a structural phase transition. In this project, we will focus on identifying strategies to optimize the energy-storage performance of anti/ferroelectric materials based on HfO2 or ZrO2. The family of HfO2 and ZrO2 (anti)ferroics has recently emerged as a technologically appealing alternative to classic ferroelectrics, as they are compatible with established semiconductor preparation processes. At the same time, these materials present a wealth of notable and useful properties, most of which remain to be understood from an atomistic and physical standpoint, which hampers progress in the field.

You will run theoretical and computational studies to shed light on the basic mechanisms controlling the (anti)ferroelectric behavior of these compounds, with the goal of optimizing their performance as supercapacitors.

The LIST team is one of the leading world groups investigating HfO2 and ZrO2 (anti)ferroelectrics, using a wealth of theoretical and simulation tools that range from phenomenological theory to first-principles simulations and machine-learning methods. The work will involve the use (and, potentially, the development) of such theoretical and simulation tools, adapted as needed to address HfO2 and ZrO2 (anti)ferroic behavior, and to explore material-design strategies to enhance specific figures of merit (e.g., stored energy density).

You will be part of LIST’s Modeling of Functional Materials group, working under the supervision of Jorge Íñiguez-González (https://sites.google.com/site/jorgeiniguezresearch). You will also be part of the larger LIST and uni.lu cluster working on functional materials and phase transitions. Additionally, you will have secondments (long training / research visits) with other groups of the MASAUTO network -- IBM-research in Zurich, the University of Groningen, and the University of Minho – to interact with our experimental colleagues focused on fabricating and characterizing the actual compounds and devices.

The preferred starting date is September 1, 2025.

We offer a competitive salary and a dynamic work environment in one of the most rapidly-growing and best-funded research ecosystems in Europe.

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

You hold a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Condensed Matter Physics or related discipline.

You have some experience with computer simulation methods, and maybe a taste for coding.

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

Your application must include:

·        A motivation letter explaining your interest in the position and your qualification for it

·        A scientific CV with contact details

·        An academic record (including marks) as complete as possible

·        Contact details of 2 references

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

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.

PhD additional conditions:

·        Supervisor at LIST: Prof. Jorge Íñiguez-González (jorge.iniguez@list.lu)

·        Work location: Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Belvaux, Luxembourg

·        PhD enrolment: University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg

Candidates should be available for starting their position in the Fall of 2025 (ideally in September). Please note that university enrolment fees (about 400 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