PhD student position - Long- and short- range structure in …, Lausanne

EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, is one of the most dynamic university campuses in Europe and ranks among the top 20 universities worldwide. The EPFL employs more than 6,500 people supporting the three main missions of the institutions: education, research and innovation. The EPFL campus offers an exceptional working environment at the heart of a community of more than 18,500 people, including over 14,000 students and 4,000 researchers from more than 120 different countries.

PhD student position - Long- and short- range structure in electrolyte solutions Mission We are offering a challenging position as a full-time (100%) PhD Student at School of Engineering - STI at EPFL. At the Laboratory for fundamental BioPhotonics - LBP we are developing nonlinear imaging techniques to study, characterize and image water in different configuration.

Introduction Electrolyte solutions in water are an essential ingredient of many aspects of life and technology: the bodily fluids (blood and cellular fluid are prime examples), but also are the key contents of batteries. The electrolyte in batteries determines the power output, life span and efficient energy storage. Electrolyte solutions are commonly described as homogeneous mixtures in which ions are statistically distributed. However, it is well known from theoretical considerations in the 1930’s that this simple description is incomplete for the relevant concentration range and that the structure of electrolyte solutions is far more complex. Experiments to understand this need to cover time scales ranging from femto- to milliseconds, and length scales from atomistic dimensions to microns, a huge challenge.

The Project at EPFL We will use various novel home‑built technologies based on nonlinear optical scattering and imaging methods to achieve this: second harmonic imaging, angle‑resolved‑second harmonic scattering, and correlated vibrational spectroscopy, all ultrafast optical methods, supplemented by standard linear spectroscopy and light scattering methods. These methods will be applied to simple 3D electrolytes in water, and 2D electrolyte regions at aqueous interfaces. Linking all datasets will allow to map both short – and long‑range interactions and collective effects pertaining to all molecular actors. This allows to solve thepuzzle surrounding concentrated electrolyte solutions and how they work, for example in their charge transmitting/storing functions and lead to a better understanding, and ultimately new technology.

Main duties and responsibilities

Have full responsibility for your own dissertation

Research in close collaboration with industry partners

Experiment design and execution

Analyze and interpret experimental results

Write scientific articles for publication in peer‑reviewed journals

Present at international conferences

Participate in education and supervise student project

This research has many interdisciplinary aspects that demand a highly motivated candidate with strong analytical abilities that can think out of the box. The successful candidate has a background in photonics, physics, chemistry/material science, or electrical engineering, ideally supplemented by hands‑on experience in free space optics / microscopy, nonlinear optics or ultrafast spectroscopy. We offer excellent working conditions and a state‑of‑the‑art infrastructure in a highly dynamic and international environment at the forefront of research.

Profile

Good communication skills and willingness to work as part of a team

Enthusiasm, scientific curiosity, eager to learn, good organizational skills, rigor in experimental work

High level of motivation for academic research work

Fluency in English is essential, French / German / Italian would be an asset

We offer

4 years to complete your PhD with a competitive remuneration

An opportunity to develop a scientific career

A world‑class research and training environment with access to state‑of‑the‑art research facilities

A multi‑cultural and stimulating work environment

A 1‑year fixed‑term contract (CDD), renewable for 4 years

Informations The selection process involves multiple stages, and short‑listed candidates will be requested to apply to a specific EPFL Doctoral Program to qualify for a PhD at EPFL, photonics, materials science, or electrical engineering. Please check this page for additional information on admission.

Please note that this is a separate application process necessary to be eligible to complete your PhD at EPFL.

Only applications submitted through the platform will be considered.

Your application should contain:

Contact information

Transcripts of diplomas

The names and contact information of 3 references willing to write a recommendation letter

Contract Start Date: to be confirmed Activity Rate: 100.00 Contract Type: PhD Student Duration: 1 year, renewable Reference: 2128

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