Three-year PhD position in Physics (funded by A*Midex)

RESEARCHER PROFILE: PhD/ R1: First stage Researcher                         
RESEARCH FIELD(S)1: Physics
MAIN SUB RESEARCH FIELD OR DISCIPLINES1: Condensed matter physics, Nanoscience

JOB /OFFER DESCRIPTION 
Spintronics aims at changing the standard information technology (IT) concepts of data storage, transfer and processing by harvesting the intrinsic angular momentum of carriers instead of solely exploiting their electric charge. The most recent developments of spintronics, termed spin-orbitronics, utilize the functionalities of the spin-orbit coupling (SOC) to manipulate spins. New generation of non-volatile spin-orbitronic devices rely on the low-energy cost of a voltage-induced ferroelectric switching, as compared to a current-induced magnetization switching [1–3]. In this context, the emergent ferroelectric Rashba semiconductors (FERSC) with GeTe as founding material stand out as versatile platforms for the realization of low-power all-electric controlled spintronic devices [4,5]. This new class of materials requires a non-centrosymmetric crystal structure that supports a ferroelectric polarization while a strong Rashba effect is favored by chemical elements with high atomic number. 

At CINaM, the Surface Structure and Dynamics (SSD) team offers a funding for a PhD project on the investigation of different Te-based epitaxial systems with inversion symmetry breaking and ferroelectric properties to demonstrate their high applicative potential for spin-orbitronic technologies (A*Midex foundation funding). The SSD team has developed a solid knowhow on the elaboration of ferroelectric GeTe thin films [6–8] and on 2D WTe2 [9]. The project goals are (i) to explore uncovered epitaxial Te-based systems and (ii) to demonstrate an in situ actuation of electronic properties using photoemission techniques (ARPES, SR-ARPES) in synchrotron facilities. This project benefits from a highly collaborative environment with theoreticians at CINaM, condensed matter physicists at Institut Jean Lamour (Nancy, France) and experts in spin-dependent transport (SPINTEC, France).

References:

[1] S. Manipatruni et al., Nature 565 (2019) 35.

[2] P. Noël et al., Nature 580 (2020) 483.

[3] S. Varotto et al., Nat. Electron. 4 (2021) 740.

[4] C. Rinaldi et al., Nano Lett. 18 (2018) 2751.

[5] J. Krempaský et al., Phys. Rev. X 8 (2018) 021067.

[6] B. Croes et al., Phys. Rev. Mater. 5 (2021) 124415.

[7] B. Croes et al., Phys. Rev. Mater. 7 (2023) 14409.

[8] B. Croes et al., Phys. Rev. B 109 (2024) 024103.

[9] A. Llopez et al., ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 16 (2024) 20878.

TYPE OF CONTRACT: TEMPORARY / JOB STATUS: FULL TIME / HOURS PER WEEK: 39
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 01/07/2024 & TIME 00:00 
ENVISAGED STARTING DATE: 01/10/2024
ENVISAGED DURATION: 36 months
JOB NOT FUNDED THROUGH AN EU RESEARCH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME

WORK LOCATION(S): Centre Interdisciplinaire de Nanoscience de Marseille (CINaM Lab), Campus Luminy, Avenue de Luminy, 13009 Marseille, FRANCE

WHAT WE OFFER: 
Gross salary: 2100€ per month

Additional information: The Euraxess Center of Aix-Marseille Université informs foreign visiting professors, researchers, postdoc and PhD candidates about the administrative steps to be undertaken prior to arrival at AMU and the various practical formalities to be completed once in France: visas and entry requirements, insurance, help finding accommodation, support in opening a bank account, etc. More information on AMU EURAXESS Portal 

QUALIFICATIONS, REQUIRED RESEARCH FIELDS, REQUIRED EDUCATION LEVEL, PROFESSIONAL SKILLS, OTHER RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS 
The candidate must hold, by July 2024, a Master degree in physics, nanoscience, or any equivalent diploma. He/she should be strongly motivated in materials elaboration and should have a solid background in condensed matter physics/nanophysics. Interest in ab initio calculations would be appreciated.

Soft skills: Autonomy, Analytical and critical thinking, Communication skills (spoken and written English)

REQUESTED DOCUMENTS OF APPLICATION, ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, SELECTION PROCESS

– Candidate resume

– Motivation letter                                                           

– Two recommendation letters (preferably head of Master degree and Master internship supervisor);

– Copy of previous diplomas.

– Copy of Master 1 and and Master 2 (3rd semester) note transcripts.

HOW TO APPLY: fabien.cheynis@univ-amu.fr