This PhD-project is part of the EU-funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network (ITN) ‘STiBNite – Tailored materials for Sustainable Technologies: programming functional molecular components through Boron-Nitrogen doping’.

The STiBNite project promotes the development of the next-generation of tailored BN-doped macromolecular organic semiconductor materials and provides training through doctoral research to talented early stage researchers (ESRs). Through 15 ESR research projects, STiBNite will establish an intersectoral training and education programme at the chemistry/physics/engineering interface with partners from eight European countries. STiBNite ESRs will enrol on PhD degree programmes and will be employed in a beneficiary organisation. The consortium brings together a unique team of world-leading academic groups and industry, at the forefront of semiconductors. Through this team of experts, the ESRs will receive an intensive training in the field of organic synthesis, materials science, surface science, materials characterization, modelling and device enigineering, with the final goal to shape prime researchers that have been exposed to the development of bottom-up BN-doping strategies going all the way from design, synthesis, physical characterization, modelling and device applications.

The ESRs will be enrolled in a vibrant PhD programme of leading academic and industrial researchers. In addition to their individual scientific projects, all ESRs will benefit from a dedicated trainig programme comprising an integrated curriculum of local and intensive network courses, schools, workshops and engagement with cutting-edge research.

The doctoral project in Leiden will focus on the engineering of two-dimensional materials on metal surfaces. Using in situ microscopy and spectroscopy techniques, the growth of 2D materials on metal surfaces will be investigated at the atomic scale.

• A Master’s degree in Physical Chemistry or Condensed-Matter Physics, or related disciplines;
• A strong interest in surface science;
• Excellent proficiency in English;
• Good technical experimental skills;
• Meeting the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Early Stage Researcher eligibility criteria is required. In particular, at the time of the appointment candidates must have a Master degree and had less than four years full-time equivalent research experience and must not have already obtained a PhD. Additionaly, they must not have resided in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the three years immediately before the appointment;
• The candidate should feel comfortable working in a collaborative environment with complex experiments. Initiative, creativity and an independent working attitude are highly valued.
• Planned start date October 2020, or soon thereafter.

We offer a position for initially one year. After a positive evaluation of the progress of the thesis, personal capabilities, and compatibility, the appointment will be extended by a further three years. Salary range from €2,395 to €3,061 gross per month (pay scale P in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities).

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. For international spouses we have set up a dual career programme. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break.

All our PhD students are embedded in the Leiden University Graduate School of Science. Our graduate school offers several PhD training courses at three levels: professional courses, skills training and personal effectiveness.

Diversity
Leiden University is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups.

Leiden University

The Faculty of Science is a world-class faculty where staff and students work together in a dynamic international environment. It is a faculty where personal and academic development are top priorities. Our people are committed to expand fundamental knowledge by curiosity and to look beyond the borders of their own discipline; their aim is to benefit science, and to make a contribution to addressing the major societal challenges of the future.

The research carried out at the Faculty of Science is very diverse, ranging from mathematics, information science, astronomy, physics, chemistry and bio-pharmaceutical sciences to biology and environmental sciences. The research activities are organized in eight institutes. These institutes offer eight bachelor’s and twelve master’s programs. The faculty has grown strongly in recent years and now has more than 1,300 staff and almost 4,000 students. We are located at the heart of Leiden’s Bio Science Park, one of Europe’s biggest science parks, where university and business life come together.

The chemistry and life science research in the Leiden Institute of Chemistry (LIC) is organized around two major research areas: ‘Chemical Biology’ and ‘Energy & Sustainability’. The institute’s research themes illustrate the central position of chemistry between biology, medicine and physics. The various research topics carried out within these themes are ideal for executing interdisciplinary research.