Doctoral position: Liquid Crystal Nanocomposites 1980 views

The University of Luxembourg, the Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication (FSTC) is looking for a Doctoral researcher in the area of liquid crystal nanocomposites (m/f).

About the research:

• The Physics and Materials Research Unit focuses on the physics of condensed matter.
• The group of Dr. Giusy Scalia works on liquid crystals and nanoparticles, in particular carbon-based particles such as carbon nanotubes and graphene flakes.
• The PhD topic is located in the intersection of these materials classes, dealing with systems based on nanoparticles forming unidirectionally ordered structures.
• The tasks range from the formation of stable liquid crystals to the characterization and analysis of the physical properties of the macroscopic phase, and the establishment of physical models for explaining the observed behavior.

Duration: 14 months initial fixed-term contract, extendable up to 48 months

Responsibilities:

• Prepare a doctoral thesis in Physics
• Assist in teaching activities, one to three hours per week
• Realize stable suspensions of graphene flakes in water, from graphene oxide, forming electrical responsive liquid crystal phases finding the optimal type of surfactant and conditions for a minimized surfactant concentration; preparation of cells for the graphene suspensions for application of electric fields; investigating the phase formation by optical and spectroscopic methods and investigate the electrical and electro-optic behaviors.

Requirements:

• Applicant must hold Master’s degree in Physics, Chemistry or Materials Science
• Excellent knowledge of English is required, knowledge in French and/or German useful
• Experience in liquid crystal and/or nanoparticle research is highly desirable

Ref: F1-120007