Postdoctoral Researcher (LEIT) – Phononic and Photonic Nanostructure Group

The mission of the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2) is to achieve the highest level of scientific and technological excellence in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. Its research lines focus on the physical and chemical properties that arise from the behaviour of matter at the nanoscale. ICN2 has been awarded the Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence distinction in two consecutive periods (2014-2018 and 2018-2022). ICN2 comprises 18 Research Groups, seven Technical Development and Support Units and Facilities, and two Research Platforms, covering different areas of nanoscience and nanotechnology.

Job Title: Postdoctoral Researcher

Research area or group: Phononic and Photonic Nanostructures Group

Description of Group/Project:

The Phononic and Photonic Nanostructure Group (https://www.icn2-p2n.eu/ ) carries out research in the general area of nanophononics, which includes nanoscale thermal transport, phononic crystals, thermoelectricity, acousto-metamaterials and topological bosonics.

The group is 14-strong and additionally involves several undergraduate project and visiting students.

The group participates in a number of European projects and has acquired national and regional research funding for phononics. The position is embedded in the team of the European Research Council funded Advanced Grant “Lossless information for emerging information technologies” (LEIT).

Main Tasks and responsibilities:

The tasks associated with the position are mainly experimental research with a contribution to simulation work. The job holder will be responsible for research on phonon propagation in phononic waveguides probed primarily by, eg., Brillouin light scattering. Contributions to the research aims in colabaration with other team members is essential since this cover, spatial phonon signal modulation and pump-and-probe methods of detection of standard and topological phonons. The researcher will contribute to experimental work on topological phonon waveguides. An important aspect is the collaboration with the theory group of the University of Lille on the design of non-trivial topological waveguides for phonons. Furthermore, the researcher will be expected to contribute actively to the joint research with the U. Lille-LEIT theory postdoctoral researcher.  Likewise, interaction with the team at the Technical Research Centre of Finland – VTT, will be crucial for sample design and fabrication and the job holder will actively participate in sample design. Research planning, experimental method development, carrying out of planned and new experiments, analysis of data and publication of results are an integral part of the activities associated with the position. The P2N group has a dynamic research life and the job holder is expected to join in the group activities, including the journal club on topological matter and the ICN2-wide Physics@ICN2 seminar series. In the researcher will share responsibility for equipment maintenance and upgrades as well as playing a full role in upholding IT services and safety regulations.

Requirements:

PhD in Physics  

• Knowledge and professional experience

Postgraduate level research experience in all of: (i) experimental semiconductor nanophotonics and or nanophononics, (ii) Brillouin light spectroscopy and (iii) phonons in nanostructures.

Very good verbal and written communication skills, proficiency in English (spoken, written and reading comprehension), ability to marshal arguments and to develop research concepts and or methods, supervision of master students and or undergraduate students, good organisational skills, ability to work in an international team and on one’s own.

Summary of conditions:

• Full time work (37,5h/week)
• Contract Length: 2 years
• Salary will depend on qualifications and demonstrated experience.
• Support to the relocation expenses.
• Life Insurance.

Estimated Incorporation date: 25th November 2022

How to apply:

All applications must be made via the ICN2 web page and include the following:

• Motivation letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• List of Publications
• The title and abstract of the PhD thesis of the applicant
• The names of three referees (name, position and contact details)

Closing date: 16th November 2022 (5pm CET)

Equal opportunities:

ICN2 is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion of people with disabilities.