PhD Position

European Microscopy Society; Low; On-site; CAD 69,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

State-of-the-art facilities

International collaboration

Job summary

European Microscopy Society seeks a PhD candidate to advance low-dose STEM-EELS methods and analyze data for beam-sensitive materials. The project involves interface-focused research with photocatalytic semiconductors in a collaborative EPFL-led effort.

The successful candidate will develop data analysis tools in Python, work with international teams, and contribute to cutting-edge electron microscopy and EELS techniques. Starting January 2027, the program spans up to four years.

Qualifications

• Masters degree in Physics, Materials Science, Physical Chemistry, or closely related field.

Responsibilities

• Develop and apply low-dose STEM-EELS and cryo-electron microscopy techniques to characterize fragile organic-inorganic interfaces down to atomic resolution.
• Develop and implement data analysis methods (in Python) to extract meaningful physical insights from low signal-to-noise datasets.
• Collaborate closely with international synthesis and theory teams to model and correlate experimental observations.

Skills

Python

Education

Masters degree

Tools

TEM/STEM

EELS

Cryo-EM

Job description

PhD Position – Low-Dose STEM-EELS Data Analysis of Beam-Sensitive Materials

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to join our research team in developing state-of-the-art Low-Dose Electron Microscopy and Electron Energy-Loss Spectroscopy methods to characterize beam-sensitive functional materials.

Specifically, the project will investigate photocatalytic semiconductors and their interfaces with biopolymers that modulate their energy-conversion performance. This multidisciplinary project is conducted in close collaboration between EPFL (Switzerland) and the Adam Mickiewicz University (Poland).

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and apply low-dose STEM-EELS and cryo-electron microscopy techniques to characterize fragile organic-inorganic interfaces down to atomic resolution.
• Develop and implement data analysis methods (in Python) to extract meaningful physical insights from low signal-to-noise datasets.
• Collaborate closely with international synthesis and theory teams to model and correlate experimental observations.

The Successful Candidate Should Possess

• Masters degree in Physics, Materials Science, Physical Chemistry, or a closely related field.
• Programming Skills: knowledge of Python for data processing, scientific computing, or scripting.
• Some experience or theoretical background in transmission electron microscopy (TEM/STEM), EELS, or cryo-EM is desirable but not required.
• Curiosity for multidisciplinary research at the intersection of electron microscopy, energy materials, and biopolymers.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English is also required.

What We Offer

• A state-of-the-art research environment equipped with modern electron microscopy facilities and computing tools.
• Direct involvement in an international, highly collaborative interdisciplinary grant project.
• Full-time contract of a duration up to 4 years, subject to the standard requirements of the EPFL PhD program. Starting date: January 2027.

The Position Requires Acceptance Into The EPFL Doctoral Program In Physics (EDPY). Details On The EDPY Program And Application Process Can Be Found On This Page Discover the EDPY PhD Program →

Applications will be considered outside of the standard deadlines, subject to pre-screening by the LSME.