Missions

The mission of the postdoc (M/F) will be to set up and characterize the advanced pump-probe technique at the FEMTOSPEX beamline at HZB BESSY II - BERLIN. She/he will employ the TR-XMCD to describe the magnetization ultrafast dynamics in ferrimagnetic films. She/he will benefit from the expertises of the hosting laboratories: (i) Institut de Physique et de Chimie des Matériaux de Strasbourg (IPCMS) for rare-earth/transition-metal sample related challenges and (ii) HZB BESSY II - BERLIN.

Activities

The postdoc will conduct collaborative work within the hosting team at the Institut de Physique et de Chimie des Matériaux de Strasbourg with Christine Boeglin, by characterizing samples, recording and analyzing data at the synchrotron Facilities. She/he will take part of the allocated beam time and write new projects. Finally, she/he will be implied in experiments performed at Free Electron Laser facilities such as FERMI and the European XFEL in Hamburg. She/he will also be involved in article preparation, reports, and oral presentations.

Skills

Skills: The postdoctoral fellow (M/F) must hold a doctorate degree in physics or a related discipline. A strong expertise in magnetism and/or time-resolved condensed matter experiments and/or synchrotron experiments would be helpful. A demonstrated track record of performing excellent research within collaborative projects with autonomy and enthusiasm is equally important as well as strong written and verbal communication's skills. Application: Candidates should contact Dr. Christine BOEGLIN by submitting their CV, a letter of motivation and the name of up to three established researchers willing to provide a letter of recommendation. Christine.Boeglin@ipcms.unistra.fr

Work Context

The ultrafast femtomagnetism research field has been pioneered by French researchers from IPCMS in Strasbourg, showing that femtosecond optical pulses interacting with ferromagnetic material results in a sub-picosecond quenching of the magnetization [1,2]. However, in spite of intensive experimental and theoretical works, the microscopic mechanisms driving the ultrafast demagnetization process are still hotly debated [1-4]. Key advances directly relay on new experimental studies aiming to lift actual controversies in this field of research. X-ray based technics are ideally suited to elucidate many of those open questions, by using the unique possibilities of time resolved soft X rays in condensed matter. Work context: This position is founded for 1.5 years by the « Instituts Thématiques Interdisciplinaires” (ITI) « Quantum Science and Nanomaterials » (QMat) program at Strasbourg University. The work will take place at the CNRS - IPCMS Lab. with the team “dynamic processes” at University Strasburg. • 18 months contract based in Strasburg. An extension to 24 months is possible. • Flexible start between Oct 2025 and Jan 2026.
* On-site university dining, and easy access by public transport.

[1] Beaurepaire et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 76, 4250 (1996)
[2] Boeglin et al. Nature 465, 458 (2010)
[3] Ferté et al. Phys. Rev. B 96, 134303 (2017)
[4] Gupta et al. Nat Commun 16, 3097 (2025)

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.

Constraints and risks

* Special work constraints: travel to work sites abroad or within France.