Postdoctoral Position in Plasmonic Crystals for Solar Energy

EPFL; Lausanne; On-site; CHF 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration

International research environment

Cutting-edge equipment and facilities

Vibrant scientific community

Job summary

EPFL’s Nanotechnology for Solar Energy Conversion group invites a post-doctoral researcher to join the SNSF project on coupled oscillations in plasmonic crystals. You will perform numerical modelling, design experiments, and characterize nanostructured materials for solar energy applications, collaborating with an international team and guiding students.

The role emphasizes independent research, strong analytical skills, and the ability to communicate results through peer-reviewed publications

Qualifications

• PhD in Micro-/Nanotechnology, Physics, Optics, Materials Science, Energy, or a related quantitative field.
• Strong motivation for academic research and teaching.
• Proficiency in English; French is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Assume full responsibility for your original research.
• Perform research in collaboration with lab members and international partners.
• Design and execute experiments; analyze and interpret results.
• Write scientific articles for peer‑reviewed journals.
• Present at international conferences; coach students and support teaching.

Skills

English proficiency

Independence

Critical thinking

Team spirit

Self-management

Research motivation

Education

PhD in Micro-/Nanotechnology or related field

Tools

FDTD simulations

Ellipsometry

STM/XPS/UPS (spectroscopy)

Job description

Mission

We are seeking a post-doctoral candidate with experience in numerical modelling, preparation and experimental characterization of nanostructured materials to join our SNSF project “Coupled oscillations in plasmonic crystals”.

Mission

We are seeking a post-doctoral candidate with experience in numerical modelling, preparation and experimental characterization of nanostructured materials to join our SNSF project “Coupled oscillations in plasmonic crystals”.

In this project, we focus on the effects of coupling of plasmonic oscillations in metallic micro-/nanostructures. It might be possible to achieve plasmonic crystals featuring broad frequency bands of extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) in the UV-VIS-NIR spectral range. The insights from this project will have considerable impact on the fields of photovoltaics, flat screens and flexible displays, as well as energy efficient OLED lighting, electrochromic devices and energy-efficient insulating glazing.

Research Group SCI-ENAC-AS: Nanotechnology for Solar Energy Conversion

Prof. Andreas Schüler

In our research group, we develop novel micro- and nanostructured smart materials for active and passive solar energy applications being integrated into the building envelope. We focus on thin films, because these allow covering a large surface area with a small quantity of raw material - and we focus on their electronic and optical properties, because these closely interrelated properties are most important for the use of solar energy.

https://www.epfl.ch/labs/sci-enac-as/

Main Duties And Responsibilities

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will be expected to:

• Assume full responsibility for your original research;
• Perform research in close collaboration with other lab members and international collaborators;
• Design and execute experiments;
• Analyze and interpret experimental results;
• Write scientific articles for publication in peer-reviewed journals;
• Present at international conferences;
• Coach Master students, advice PhD students and provide basic administrative support;
• Provide support in teaching activities.

Profile

• A PhD degree in Micro-/Nanotechnology, Physics, Optics, Materials Science, Energy, or a related quantitative field
• A strong background in several of the following fields: reactive magnetron sputtering, electron-beam lithography, theory of light-matter interaction, computer simulations using the method of Finite Differences in the Time Domain (FDTD), determination of optical material constants by multiangle UV-VIS-NIR ellipsometry, UV-VIS-NIR spectrophotometry, ultra-high vacuum scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), and/or photoelectron spectroscopies (XPS, UPS)
• A sincere interest in micro-/nanostructures, electronic and optical material properties, plasmonics and solar energy
• Proficiency in English (French is a plus)
• Strong motivation for academic research, critical thinking, independence, good self-management skills, and excellent team spirit
• Interest in a career involving research and teaching is an asse

We offer

• Term of employment: One-year contract, renewal subject to organizational needs and availability
• Competitive remuneration
• An international research environment
• An inspiring and stimulating environment within our research group
• The opportunity to work on innovative materials in a laboratory with a cutting-edge equipment
• EPFL is an international and world-class engineering institution that hosts state-of-the-art experimental facilities and a rich and vibrant scientific and entrepreneurial community Information

For any further information, please contact [e-mail]