One vibrant, progressive European university is the University of Antwerp. It conducts cutting-edge scientific research, provides more than 20,000 students with an innovative academic education, and plays a significant role in society by providing services. It is among the region’s biggest, most inventive, and most global employers. Every day, its more than 6000 workers from 100 different countries contribute to the creation of the world of tomorrow. It pushes boundaries and charts a course for the future— a future that can help to shape.
The University of Antwerp’s Faculty of Science’s EMAT research group is looking to fill a PhD position in the area of Quantitative in situ electron microscopy of metal halide perovskite nanocrystals. Prof Sara Bals and Prof Sandra Van Aert oversaw the project.
Research group
EMAT is one of the world’s leading electron microscopy centers, with extensive expertise in both fundamental and applied electron microscopy. EMAT has several cutting-edge electron microscopes, including two aberration-corrected, high-end FEI-Titan instruments, a dual beam FIB, and an environmental SEM.
PhD position
- In order to study metal halide perovskite nanocrystal films without electron beam damage, you will create and use low-dose TEM techniques.
- You will use electron tomography techniques to extend these methods to three dimensions.
- Using several specialized holders (such as strain, bias, gas, and heating), you will integrate all of the innovative approaches with in situ research.
- You will learn quantitative techniques for accurately analyzing and interpreting low-dose TEM data. This research is particularly demanding because the low electron dose needed to photograph the MHPs without beam damage will result in very weak contrast and a very low signal-to-noise ratio.
- Unknown structure parameters, such as atom locations, types, and numbers along the viewing direction, will be measured using statistics-based techniques. The accuracy and precision of these measures must be maximized.
- You will look into the potential applications of the deep learning idea. Even the lightest atomic atoms should be consistently located by training a convolutional neural network with detailed image simulations as an input.
- Under operando conditions, you will present and use new quantitative analysis techniques to monitor atomic structural changes over time.
General
- A doctoral thesis in the sciences will be prepared by the PhD candidate.
- You write scholarly essays about the assignment’s research endeavor.
- You give presentations at conferences and workshops both nationally and internationally.
What we offer
- A one-year scholarship for doctoral study. The scholarship may be extended for an additional three years after a favorable evaluation.
- A fascinating project in which we will try to go far beyond the state-of-the-art.
- The ideal start date is as soon as feasible, however it will depend on the availability of the chosen applicant.
- The scholarship amounts for doctoral scholarship holders on the contract research staff pay scales (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP) are used to determine your monthly scholarship amount.
- The majority of your work will be done at Campus Groenenborger, where you will have the chance to work in a top-notch, exciting, and dynamic atmosphere with cutting-edge equipment and computer resources (see also http://www.emat.uantwerpen.be/).
- Learn more about working at the University of Antwerp. https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/jobs/uantwerp-as-an-employer/hr-policy/
Eligibility/Qualification
- You have a Master’s degree and experience in fields such as materials science, applied physics, or physics.
- You are able to present outstanding research findings.
- Your research skills align with the university’s and faculty’s research guidelines.
- You behave with consideration for excellence, honesty, originality, and collaboration.
- You are passionate about electron microscopy and have a strong interest in it.
- You are able to submit exceptional academic work.
- You are very enthusiastic, meticulous, quality-focused, imaginative, and helpful.
- You enjoy working on experiments and exhibit strong practical abilities.
- The quantitative analysis of electron microscopy data is something that strongly interests you.
How to Apply
- You can apply for this position via the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform until Wednesday, December 18, 2024. Click the ‘Apply’ button, fill out the online application form, and make sure you include the required attachments:
- To apply for one of the three positions, please include a motivation letter and an academic CV with relevant courses, honors, work experience, programming skills, and publications.
- Include a weblink of a brief video introducing yourself,
- a list and grades of courses taken throughout your education (Bachelor and Master), and contact information for two professional recommendations.
- The selection committee will evaluate all applications as soon as feasible following the application deadline. As soon as a decision is reached, we will notify you of the following steps in the selection process.
- If you have any queries concerning about the online application form, consult the commonly asked questions or email jobs@uantwerpen.be. Prof. Sara Bals, sara.bals@uantwerpen.be, can provide additional information about the job itself.