We are currently looking  for a technician in Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM). The position is funded by the ICMAB with the Infrastructure for Correlative Analysis of Energy Materials (InCAEM) project, within the Advanced Materials program of the “Planes Complementarios de I+D+I of the Plan de Recuperación, Transformación y Resiliencia” (PRTR), under Institutional Agreement.

The group has recently acquired two Park FX40  multipurpose atomic force microscopes (mp-AFMs), which are part of a SPM platform to be installed in a dedicated laboratory at the ALBA facility. The objective of the SPM platform of InCAEM is to offer a wide range of correlative advanced characterization of materials by means of a variety of operation modes and under different operation environments. The high flexibility of the mp-AFM will permit correlative experiments with specific beamlines of the synchrotron ALBA.

Main Tasks and responsibilities:

– Participating in the installation of the mp-AFMs and supplies systems.
– Commissioning of the instruments, including one inside a GloveBox (MBraun).
– Testing the different operation modes under diverse environmental conditions to assure full functionality.
– Adapting and optimizing user-friendly operation protocols.
– Preliminary tests and correlative experiments with ALBA beamlines.

Opportunities:

The hired person will have the unique opportunity to carry out her/his job in the scientific active and lively environment of ICMAB and the synchrotron ALBA. During the first period, she/he will acquire the knowledge to master state-of-the-art techniques for organic thin films growth and novel characterization instruments with the purpose of performing SPM measurements correlated to experiments of  diverse X-ray beamlines at ALBA. The collaborative activity at international level will be an unique chance for a professional career.

Application and requirements:

** As the position is intended to start in October 2024, possible international candidates are requested to take into account the fulfillment of requirements in due term  through the CSIC job bank.

• Applicants must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in Materials Science or Electrical Engineering or Physics.
• Knowledge on Scanning Probe Microscopy, surface science and materials characterization.
• Experience in synchrotron-based techniques will be considered an added value. 
• Good level of English.

We encourage interested candidates to send a CV and motivation letter to the following researchers:

Dr. Daniel Martín-Jiménez: dmartin@icmab.es
Dr. Esther Barrena: e.barrena@csic.es

NOTE: Only preselected applications will get an answer and appointment to carry out an interview.

Please note that the deadline indicated is an estimation, and the position will remain open until we find the right candidate.

Deadline: May 15, 2024

This position is one of the 10 Doctoral Candidate (DC) positions of the EIFFEL (EffIcient Fullerene-Free organic solar cELs) Doctoral Network, focused on developing efficient non-fullerene-acceptors (NFAs) and revealing the mechanisms of operation and degradation in NFA-based organic solar cells (OSCs). The DC will travel abroad for research secondments at partner organizations of the EIFFEL Network as well as participate in specialized training meetings and international conferences.

Objectives: The DC will be trained in advanced methodologies of scanning probe microscopy and real-time x-ray diffraction studies for investigating the microstructure and nanomorphology of solution-processed non-fullerene acceptor active layers and monitor their stability under thermal annealing and moisture/oxygen exposure. The important role of the interface also will be addressed.

Expected Results: Understanding the evolution of the microstructure and nanomorphology of the films due to thermal annealing and aging effects, and the assessment of chemical degradation pathways will aid in finding mitigation strategies of degradation in NFA-based OSCs devices.
The work will be performed at the Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona (www.icmab.es). The DC will enroll in a doctoral student program at Autonomous University of Barcelona.

Requirements of the candidates

• Applicants must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in Materials Science or Electrical Engineering or Physics providing access to PhD programs and should have experience with experimental research.
• Applicants must have a very good knowledge (written & spoken) of the English language.
• Strong motivation and ability to collaborate in an interdisciplinary and international team

Application Procedure

If interested, please fill this form: https://www.eiffelproject.eu/jobs/doctoral-candidate-phd-student-position-dc7-204378

Contact & Further Information

For additional information, please contact the scientist-in-charge / supervisor: Dr. Esther Barrena (e.barrena@csic.es, https://surfaces.icmab.es/) or visit the site Doctoral Candidate (PhD student position) / DC7 | EURAXESS (europa.eu)

PhD position

Operando and In-situ Multimode Characterization of Organic Semiconductors for a Comprehensive Design of High-Performance Electronic Devices

Organic semiconductors have emerged as a breathtaking prospect, promising a new era of electronic devices with unparalleled versatility and eco-friendliness. Their applications span a wide spectrum, encompassing organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) that bring life to vivid displays, organic photovoltaics (OPVs) that harness the sun’s energy, and organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) that drive the future of flexible electronics. Yet, to truly unleash their full potential across these diverse fields, we must grasp the profound intricacies governing structural order and morphology in thin films and their impact on charge transport. In this PhD project, we aim at pushing the boundaries of knowledge by operando and in-situ characterization of organic semiconductors thin films. This research work combines advanced characterization methodologies techniques, including x-ray diffraction, Scanning Probe Force Microscopy, and electrical measurements, to study the dynamic changes in material properties occurring during growth or thermal annealing and to achieve a microscopic understanding. Furthermore, the work will address the use of multi-component thin films paving the way for applications in NIR photo-detection and photo-thermal conversion.

Qualifications and Requirements:

A strong academic background in materials science, physics, or a related field, a curious and analytical mindset, and the will to learn experimental research.

Benefits:

Our group, the Physical Chemistry of Surfaces and Interfaces (PCSI)), has strong expertise in x-ray scattering techniques using synchrotron radiation as well as in advanced scanning probe microscopy.  Taking advantage of the relevant role that the PCSI group plays in the SPM platform of the InCAEM project, the doctoral thesis will include the combination of state-of-the-art methodologies that provide an exceptional environment for cutting-edge research. We offer a team-oriented, motivating work atmosphere, which will allow the candidate to develop independence and soft and technical skills.

Materials Science Institute of Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC)

The work will be carried out at the Materials Science Institute of Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC), a research center located at the UAB campus (~35 min from downtown Barcelona by public transportation). (ICMAB-CSIC) is a Severo Ochoa Excellence center focusing on cutting-edge research in functional materials in the fields of electronics, energy, and nanomedicine. With over 250 members from 30+ nationalities, ICMAB-CSIC offers a highly international and dynamic environment for enthusiastic young researchers.

Application Process:

Interested candidates are invited to contact Esther Barrena (ebarrena@icmab.es) and Carmen Ocal (cocal@icmab.es) and submit a CV.

NOTE: Only preselected applications will get an answer and will obtain an appointment to carry out an interview.

The position is intended to start around October 2023, financed under the project PID2022-136802NB-I00.

Please note that the deadline indicated is an estimation, and the position will remain open until we find the right candidate.

Interface engineering for the next future well-performing organic devices

When Herbert Kroemer (Nobel Prize in Physics, 2000) coined the famous phrase “the interface is the device”, he referred to the success of devices based on thin inorganic semiconductor films for photonic and electronic applications that started more than four decades ago.

This statement also holds for organic semiconductors, which are predestined by deposition on large-area and flexible substrates to be the electrically and optically active layers with important applications in electronics, lighting, photovoltaics and displays. A good number of interfaces (organic/organic and organic/inorganic) are inherent to all organic electronic devices and, because their relevant role in device performance, Kroemer’s phrase can be extended:

“The interfaceS are the organic deviceS”.

With that certainty added to the experience and equipment of the Physical Chemistry of Surfaces and Interfaces (PCSI) group, we offer a doctoral position.

The doctoral project (*) aims to obtain structural control of organic semiconductors thin films for the near future manufacture of more reliable organic electronic devices. The proposal points to a detailed microscopic understanding of crystallography, polymorphism, role of interfaces, as well as to determine the conditions for a good thermal stability of thin films prepared by various physical and chemical methodologies. Furthermore, the use of multi-component thin films (e.g., donor/acceptor organics) and proper fabrication protocols will allow obtaining co-crystalline charge transfer complexes (CTC) thin films, paving the way for applications in NIR photo-detection and photo-thermal conversion.

Taking advantage of the relevant role that the PCSI group plays in the SPM platform of the InCAEM project, the doctoral thesis will include the combination of state-of-the-art methodologies for correlative and in-situ experiments. In particular, in-situ and real-time characterization during thin film growth and/or post-growth treatments (e. g., thermal and solvent annealing) using diverse modes of scanning probe microscopy, one of the most versatile characterization tools in nanoscience, combined with powerful X-ray synchrotron techniques.

Materials Science Institute of Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC)

The PhD fellow will have the unique opportunity to carry out a doctorate in the scientific active and lively environment of ICMAB and the synchrotron ALBA, and acquire the knowledge to master state-of-the-art techniques for organic thin films growth and novel characterization instruments with the purpose of correlating structural details with device performances. The collaborative activity of the PCSI teams at international level (EU consortiums, training networks and bilateral collaborations) will pave the chance of the fellow towards an international career.

Application and requirements

Candidates with motivated attitude for experimental tasks and good academic background, must hold a Master’s degree in materials science, physics, nanoscience, nanotechnology or related fields at the moment of the formal application. 

We encourage interested candidates to send a CV and motivation letter to the following researchers:

Daniel Martín-Jiménez: dmartin@icmab.es
Esther Barrena: ebarrena@icmab.es
Carmen Ocal: cocal@icmab.es

NOTE: Only preselected applications will get an answer and will obtain an appointment to carry out an interview.

Please note that the deadline indicated is an estimation, and the position will remain open until we find the right candidate.

* The doctoral position will be financed under project PID2022-136802NB-I00