Description du sujet de thèse

The demand for high performance rare earth – transition metal based magnets is continuously growing, in particular for the green energy transition (windmills, (hybrid)-electric-vehicles, electric bicycles) but also for robotics. However, the present reliance on critical rare earth elements in such magnets is not sustainable. The thin film combinatorial approach combined with machine-learning holds much potential to explore the use of substitutional elements, so as to reduce dependence on critical elements.
The candidate will work on the sputtering of compositionally graded thin films of rare earth – transition metal hard magnetic materials. Sets of material libraries will be analyzed in a high throughput fashion using structural and magnetic characterization techniques operated in scanning mode. Significant focus will be placed on data analysis and machine learning.
Expected skills:
- MSc in experimental physics or materials science
- solid basis in magnetism, with an emphasis on functional magnetic materials
- experience in thin film fabrication and characterization
- experience with coding (python) for data analysis
- good spoken and written English
- good communication skills, ability to write reports/articles
- team work

Contexte de travail

The NEEL Institute, 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. It is located in the heart of a unique scientific, industrial and cultural environment. It is part of one of Europe's largest high-tech environments in micro and nanoelectronics, right next to the French Alps.
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.

Le poste se situe dans un secteur relevant de la protection du potentiel scientifique et technique (PPST), et nécessite donc, conformément à la réglementation, que votre arrivée soit autorisée par l'autorité compétente du MESR.