02 PhD Positions: Lead-Free Ferroelectric Materials 2009 views

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) has two vacant positions as part of the project “High-Temperature Lead-Free Ferroelectric Materials”, funded by the Research Council of Norway.

About the project:

• The project aims to develop a new class of lead-free ferroelectric, piezoelectric materials. A hypothesis of a so-called morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) is proposed in complex oxide solid solutions.
• Compositional engineering of the materials will be carried out based on a combination of solid-state synthesis guided by Density Functional Theory (DFT) simulations.
• Fundamental characterization of the most promising materials will be carried out with respect to crystal structure, microstructure, electrical properties and the nature of the polarization closed to the MPB.
• The project is headed by Professor Tor Grande.

Requirements:

• Applicant must hold master’s degree or equivalent qualifications within Materials Science, Materials Chemistry, Solid-State Chemistry, Solid-State Physics or Applied Physics.
• Applicant must possess good English skills.
• Additional experience in synthesis of oxides or other relevant materials, structural or electrical characterization of materials is considered an advantage.
• Candidate should be able take responsibility for progress and can work independently and he/she has good communication skills and is able to collaborate with other scientists in the research group.
• Applicants who do not master a Scandinavian language should provide evidence of good written and oral English language skills.
• The following tests can be used as documentation: TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE), or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). Minimum scores are: TOEFL: 600 (paper-based test), 92 (Internet-based test); IELTS: 6.5, with no section lower than 5.5 (only Academic IELTS test accepted); CAE/CPE: grade B or A. the Functional Materials and Materials Chemistry Research Group (FACET).

Applications:

Submit application electronically with the following documents:

• CV
• Diplomas and certificates
• Refer to the application number NV-02/20 when applying.
• Application letter describing motivation, relevant experience, skills and qualifications, and a separate brief research vision for the position (maximum 1 page)
• Publication list
• Letters of reference
• Proof of fluency in the English language (if applicable)