瑞士联邦材料科学与技术研究所（EMPA）2020年招聘博士后职位（材料科学）

Empa - the place where innovation starts

Empa is the research institute for materials science and technology of the ETH Domain and conducts cutting-edge research for the benefit of industry and the well-being of society.

Empa's Laboratory for Surface Science & Coating Technologies has an opening for a

Postdoctoral researcher on the accelerated development of earth-abundant nitrides for next-generation solar hydrogen production

The Coating Technologies group has a long-standing expertise in physical vapor deposition (PVD) of functional thin-films and coatings, with a particular focus on plasma-based processes. Our goal is to understand the synthesis- structure-property relationships in these processes to develop thin-film materials and coatings with improved properties, but also to synthesize entirely new functional materials, such as high-energy metastable phases.

This research project focusses on the development of novel nitrides for water splitting applications. Semiconducting nitrides are an interesting, but underexplored, class of materials for this application due to their adjustable band gaps, favorable transport properties and chemical stability. We will use combinatorial physical vapor deposition combined with automated physical properties mapping and subsequent optimization of promising compounds to discover and develop prototypes for highly efficient and durable nitride photocatalysts.

The work will be performed in collaboration with Empa's Laboratory for Joining Technologies and Corrosion as well as the Tilley group at the University of Zurich.

Your tasks:

Synthesize and characterize ternary nitrides as well as nitride alloys

Investigate the materials' synthesis-structure-property relationships and contribute to extending our understanding of phase-formation during non- equilibrium synthesis

Characterize and optimize the materials' optoelectronic properties

Evaluate promising materials with respect to their potential for water splitting applications using (photo-)electrochemical analyses

Investigate interfacial phenomena at the semiconductor/electrolyte interface

Write peer-reviewed publications and present results at international conferences

Your profile:

You are a highly motivated and ambitious scientist with a passion for sustainable technologies. You are goal oriented and enjoy working in a fast- paced, challenging and interdisciplinary environment where teaming and collaboration are encouraged.

Your skills:

PhD in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry or another relevant discipline

Experience in the development of new (inorganic-) semiconductors and energy materials as demonstrated by a convincing publication record

Experience in physical vapor deposition as well as UHV- and thin-film technology

Experience in (photo-)electrochemistry is a plus

Experience in material and surface characterization (e.g. XRD, XPS, SEM or TEM)

Basic programming skills as well as experience in handling and processing of large datasets are strong assets (e.g. in Python or IgorPro)

Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are mandatory, German language skills are beneficial but not required

We offer a stimulating, international and collaborative research environment at a leading research institution with an excellent infrastructure and a broad interdisciplinary surrounding. As an institution of the ETH Domain, we offer good employment conditions and plenty of opportunities for your professional development. The workplace is Dübendorf, very close to Zürich. The contract will be initially limited to one year with a possibility of extension and is available upon agreement.

For further information about the position please contact Dr Sebastian Siol sebastian.siol@empa.ch and visit our websites www. empa.ch/web/s208 and Empa-Video

We look forward to receiving your online application including a letter of motivation, CV, diplomas with transcripts and contact details of two referees. Please upload the requested documents through our webpage. Applications via email will not be considered.

Empa, Cristina Marinoni, Human Resources, Ueberlandstrasse 129, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland.

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