Missions

Magnetic refrigeration is a solid-state cooling technology exploiting the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) which holds the potential for higher energy efficiency than today's vapour-compression technology, while avoiding the need for toxic, flammable, or explosive refrigerants. The thin film combinatorial approach is ideally suited to search for magnetocaloric materials (MCMs) with optimized properties and a minimum dependence of critical elements.

Activities

The candidate will work on the sputtering and micro-patterning of compositionally graded thin films of magnetocaloric materials. Sets of material libraries deposited on 100 mm wafers will be analyzed in a high throughput fashion using structural and magnetic characterization techniques operated in scanning mode. More detailed analysis will be carried out on select samples. Significant focus will be placed on data analysis. The work will be carried out in the framework of a HORIZON EUROPE project with partner labs in Portugal, Spain, France and Slovenia, which aims to develope an advanced magnetic refrigeration prototype tailored for vaccine cold storage and transportation.

Skills

- PhD degree in experimental physics or materials science
- solid basis in magnetism, with an emphasis on functional magnetic materials
- experience in thin film fabrication and characterization of structural and magnetic properties
- experience with coding (python) for data analysis
- good spoken and written English
- good communication skills, ability to write reports/articles
- team work

Work Context

The Institut NEEL, UPR 2940 CNRS, is one of the largest French national research institutes for fundamental research in condensed matter physics enriched by interdisciplinary activities at the interfaces with chemistry, engineering and biology. The laboratoy is related to the CNRS Physique. It is located in the heart of a unique scientific, industrial and cultural environment. It is part of one of Europe's biggest high-tech environment in micro- and nanoelectronics, right next to the French Alpes.
The job is linked to the MNM team which works on magnetic systems at micro and nano scales: from basic research to applications in spintronics, energy and life sciences.
The Institut NEEL is a CNRS laboratory. CNRS is a public, scientific and technological organisation. The core mandate is to identify, carry out ou have carried out, either alone or with partners, all research that advances science or contributes to the country's economic, social, and cultural progress. Internationally recognised for the excellence of its scientific research, the CNRS is a reference in the world of research and development, as well as for the general public.

The position is located in a sector under the protection of scientific and technical potential (PPST), and therefore requires, in accordance with the regulations, that your arrival is authorized by the competent authority of the MESR.