PhD student in Physics - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The research conducted at the Department of Physics and Astronomy encompasses a wide range of physics topics, distributed over nine divisions. The department is located in the Ångström laboratory and employs nearly 400 people, 100 of whom are doctoral students. It offers a broad physics curriculum to undergraduate and graduate students, participation in nationally and internationally leading projects for researchers, and opportunities for partnership with industry and various outreach activities.

The Ion Physics group within the Department of Physics and Astronomy investigates advanced materials for applications in fusion energy, smart windows, hydrogen storage & nanoelectronics. The group employs beams of swift ions as analytical technique for detailed material characterization in addition to fundamental investigations of the interaction of ions in matter. These methods permit to determine concentrations and depth profiles of atoms and molecules in a material with very high accuracy for samples from biological, environmental and technological contexts. The correlation between the composition and other sample properties can then be used to improve material performance or to obtain new properties. A 5 MV tandem accelerator, a 350 kV high current ion implanter and a Low-Energy Ion Scattering System form the experimental platform.

Uppsala University hereby declares a PhD student position, at the Department of Physics and Astronomy, to be open for application. The PhD-studies will focus on the investigation of boron-containing materials for potential applications in fusion research, hard-coatings, and neutron mirrors. Within the project, synthesis and changes in the materials will be investigated using energetic ion beams as main tool for analysis and modification of synthesized materials. Special focus will be given to understand processes that will take place in plasma facing components during operation in future fusion reactors. In these reactors, the reactor walls (plasma facing components) will be subject to extreme conditions that require both a careful selection of the materials that they are made of and precise knowledge of the changes that occur in the materials when it comes in contact with the plasma. Boron appears as a promising candidate to be included in these walls to improve the plasma performance. The PhD studies allow to better understand and improve predictions of the modifications that will take place in plasma facing components from plasma-wall interactions.

Duties
The doctoral project is focused in the synthesis and characterization of technologically relevant boron-containing materials. Samples will be prepared by different deposition methods followed by an extensive characterization of the prepared materials.

Specifically, it includes:

• deposition of boron and boron alloys using different ultra-high vacuum methods such as sputtering and e-beam systems.
• comprehensive characterization of the composition, morphology, and structure of the synthesized materials. As main tool, different combinations of ion beams will be employed to obtain atomic composition and depth profiles.
• In-situ analysis to evaluate in real time the modifications in the materials induced by thermal annealing and ion beam irradiation, to simulate the processes that will take place in fusion reactors.

The doctoral studies will include collaboration with external parties from KTH, Vienna University of Technology, Austria and Aalto University, Finland.

The PhD position is for four years, extendable to a maximum of five years including departmental duties at a level of at most 20% (typically teaching).

Requirements
To meet the entry requirements for doctoral studies, you must

• hold a Master’s (second-cycle) degree in a natural science discipline, or
• have completed at least 240 credits in higher education, with at least 60 credits at Master’s level including an independent project worth at least 15 credits, or
• have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way.
• be able to demonstrate excellent communication skills in English as well as excellent academic records;
• personal capabilities necessary to carry out fully the duties of the appointment.

Appointment as a graduate student requires that the holder is admitted or will be admitted to PhD studies, where the applicant’s ability to successfully complete the doctoral studies will be decisive.

Additional qualifications
It is considered advantageous to have documented strong data analysis skills; past experiences in vacuum systems; and experience in materials research with ion beams.

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines.

Information about doctoral education, eligibility requirements and admission rules can be found on the web site of the Faculty of Technology.

About the application
Applications should include a brief description of research interest and past experience, a CV, copies of exams, degrees and grades, a copy of your Master thesis (or a draft thereof) and other relevant documents. The candidates are encouraged to provide letter(s) of recommendation and contact information to reference persons.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date 8 March 2024 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: Eduardo Pitthan Filho, eduardo.pitthan@physics.uu.se.

Please submit your application by 9 January 2024, UFV-PA 2023/4541.

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