The ESR1 at the Quantum Solid State Physics group at the Department of Physics and Astronomy of KU Leuven will be in charge of the production and the characterization of series of mass-selected bi- and multi-metallic clusters deposited on different substrates. This activity includes optimization and control of production (composition, size) and deposition (substrates) parameters, using the UHV cluster deposition setup, as well as the cluster morphology (following cluster surface interaction) by means of scanning probe microscopy techniques (AFM and STM), SEM and TEM on selected samples. He/she will participate to the X-ray absorption measurements at the Swiss Light Source at our PSI partner in Switzerland and at the ESRF synchrotron facility, Grenoble, France, and contribute to the analysis of the data. In parallel, he/she will complete his investigation by testing the catalytic activity and selectivity of powdered selected systems in a gas flow microreactor fitted with an ultra-sensitive mass spectrometer detection system as well as using the Temperature Programmed Desorption (TPD) system. Three periods of 1-2 months of mobility (secondment) at our EU partners are foreseen.
Candidates should have (or about to obtain) a master degree in Chemistry, Physics or a closely related subject, be enthusiastic about experimental research, and ideally have a background in one or more of the following fields: physical chemistry, cluster physics, theoretical chemistry, nanomaterial science, catalysis, XAFS spectroscopy, electron microscopy. The successful candidate will have obtained excellent grades both in his/her Bachelor and Master degrees.
We offer a full time PhD position. A PhD at KU Leuven typically takes 4 years, where the contract is renewed yearly after positive evaluation. The starting date should ideally be May 2021, or in any case before July 2021.
For more information please contact Prof. dr. Ewald Janssens, tel.: +32 16 32 72 07, mail: ewald.janssens@kuleuven.be
In your application, please refer to Professorpositions.com