Are you enthusiastic about exploring scientific challenges with an industrial application perspective?

Piezoelectric thin films find applications in several areas of science and technology as sensors and actuators. Extension and accuracy performance of piezoelectric thin films is of prominent importance for such application areas.

We are looking for a motivated and skilled PhD student to conduct research on the fundamental physics questions on the growth and characterization of piezoelectric thin films and exploring their structure-performance relations.

The XUV Optics Group at Twente has started a new multidisciplinary research program on these topics. We develop forefront fundamental research, relevant to high tech applications (www.utwente.nl/xuv/). The research will take place in a state-of-the-art thin film laboratory within the MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology at the University of Twente, in collaboration with various academic and industrial partners. The XUV group has a track record in developing thin film physics and holds several records in functional film properties, including the reflectivity of thin film multilayer optics.

Challenge
Your goal is to develop the key material science required for growing, characterizing, and modeling piezoelectric thin films. This includes:

• Exploring the layer growth processes and molecular scale process engineering of piezoelectric thin films, using physical vapor deposition techniques such as pulsed laser deposition and others, aiming for high and accurate piezoelectric functional properties.
• Developing the understanding of the piezoelectric film structures and their functional properties using characterization techniques such as AFM, XRD, SEM and DBLI and detailed data analysis.
• Developing models for relating the functional properties to the structure of the piezoelectric thin films.

• You have a MSc degree in physics, materials science, physical chemistry or engineering, solid state or surface physics or a related field.
• You have affinity with the physical vapor deposition of piezoelectric thin films and their optical, structural, and chemical characterization.
• You have affinity with data analysis, curve fitting and model development preferably in MATLAB or Python.
• You are an excellent team player in an enthusiastic group of scientists and engineers working on a common theme.
• You are creative, like to push boundaries, and are highly motivated to address a major science challenge in thin film physics.
• You are fluent in English and able to collaborate intensively with industrial and academic parties in regular meetings and work visits.

• You will be appointed on a fulltime position for 4 years.
• The position is available immediately.
• The university offers a dynamic ecosystem with enthusiastic colleagues in a stimulating scientific environment.
• The PhD salary is € 2.770,- in the first year, increasing to € 3.539,- in the fourth year.
• The offer further involves a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8.3%, a solid pension scheme, a minimum of 29-day holidays, and numerous professional and personal development programs.

The University of Twente stands for life sciences and technology. High tech and human touch. Education and research that matter. New technology which leads change, innovation, and progress in society. The University of Twente is the only campus university in the Netherlands. We have a strong focus on personal development and give scope for carrying out pioneering research. The Faculty of Science & Technology works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders.

The XUV Optics group is embedded in the MESA+ Institute (www.mesaplus.utwente.nl), which is one of the largest nanotechnology research institutes in the world, delivering competitive and successful high-quality research. The institute employs 500 people of which 275 are PhD’s or Postdocs. With its unique NanoLab facilities the institute holds 1250 m2 of cleanroom space and state-of-the-art research equipment.

The University of Twente is an equal opportunity employer which values diversity. We do not discriminate on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status. Because of our diversity values we do particularly support women to apply.