Job openings

PhD fellowship in Mineral Physics / Materials Science starting fall 2024

The ERC HotCores project aims at reenacting key events of the history of the Earth’s Inner Core in the laboratory. We are looking for one PhD fellowship, to start work in the fall of 2024. PhD’s in France are for 3 years. The fellowship is paid according to French standards for PhD fellowships, including all associated social benefits.

The research will involve laboratory- and synchrotron-based deformation of metallic alloys using a new apparatus recently delivered to the lab. The candidate will be in charge of calibrating the instrument and study the microstructural response of metallic alloys as a function of applied deformation, and temperature, up to the alloy’s melting temperature. The candidate will have access to the local, staffed electron microscopy facility for characterizing the sample states prior and after the mechanical tests. Tests will be performed in the Lille High Pressure Laboratory and at synchrotrons.

The working language in the laboratory can be either French or English. The position is based at the Université de Lille, in Northern France. Lille can be reached by train in 1 hour from Paris, 40 minutes from Brussels, and 1h20 from London.

Prerequisites:

We seek a highly motivated individual with keen interest in high pressure and mechanical properties experiments as well as deep Earth processes. The ability to work independently on experimental developments is essential to the project. The candidates should hold a master’s degree in Physics, Materials, or Earth Science at the start of the fellowship. Good command of English (written and spoken) is a plus.

Applications:

Candidates should submit, in a single pdf file, a short statement of experience and interests, a CV, and the names and contact information of two or three potential referees by May 1st 2024 to Prof. Dr. Sébastien Merkel (sebastien.merkeluniv-lillefr) and Dr. Nadège Hilairet (nadege.hilairetuniv-lillefr). Review of applications will start immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Do not hesitate to contact S. Merkel for additional information and to discuss the conditions for applications.

Other positions will be available in the future on related topics in the HotCores ERC project. Please get in touch for further information.

Links and supplementary information:

 

Two post-doctoral fellowships in Mineral Physics / Materials Science from winter 2024

Two post-doctoral fellowships in Mineral Physics / Materials Science from winter 2024

The ERC HotCores project is looking for two post-doctoral fellows, to start work in 2024. Both positions will be first available for 1 year and extendable for a second year, paid according to French standards for post-doctoral fellowships, including all associated social benefits.

The first position will involve laboratory-based visco-elasticity measurements on metallic alloys using a new apparatus that was recently delivered to the lab. The candidate will be in charge of calibrating the instrument and study the anelastic response and attenuation properties of metallic alloys as a function of applied stress, frequency, and temperature, up to the alloy’s melting temperature. All measurements will be performed at ambient pressure with a custom-designed apparatus, with access to the local, staffed electron microscopy facility for characterizing the sample states prior and after the mechanical tests. Work on this project can start anytime in 2024.

The second position will be dedicated to visco-elasticity measurements at high pressure and high temperature using a custom-built dynamic diamond anvil cell with heating capabilities. The candidate will be in charge of installing and testing the capabilities of the instrument in the laboratory and performing the first synchrotron experiments with the instrument. Work on this project can start as of March 2024.

The working language in the laboratory can be either French or English. The position is based at the Université de Lille, in Northern France. Lille can be reached by train in 1 hour from Paris, 40 minutes from Brussels, and 1h20 from London.

Prerequisites:

We seek a highly motivated individual with keen interest in high pressure and mechanical properties experiments. Interest in deep Earth processes is a definite plus but not required. The ability to work independently on experimental developments is essential to the project. The candidates should have a strong background in either in-situ high pressure experiments, attenuation, mechanical spectroscopy, or related fields in metallurgy or mineralogy. Good command of English (written and spoken) is required. Applicants should hold a PhD degree or equivalent in Earth Sciences, Physics, Materials Science, or a related field at the time of the appointment.

Applications:

Candidates should submit, in a single pdf file, a short statement of research experience and interests, a CV including a list of scientific productions, and the names and contact information of two or three potential referees by December 15th 2023 to Prof. Dr. Sébastien Merkel (sebastien.merkeluniv-lillefr). Review of applications will start immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Do not hesitate to contact S. Merkel for additional information and to discuss the conditions for applications; as much as possible, please do so before December 15th.

Links and supplementary information: