Post-Doctoral fellowship

VACANCY
The Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL), situated in Grenoble, France, is Europe's leading research facility for fundamental research using neutrons. The ILL operates the brightest neutron source in the world, reliably delivering intense neutron beams to 40 unique scientific instruments. The Institute welcomes over 2000 visits of scientists per year to carry out world-class research in solid-state physics, crystallography, soft matter, biology, chemistry and fundamental physics. Funded primarily by its three founder members: France, Germany and the United Kingdom, the ILL has also signed scientific collaboration agreements with 10 other countries.

The Science Division currently has a vacancy:
Post-Doctoral fellowship

- Magnetic van der Waals compounds at high pressure -
The candidate will work on a collaborative research project between the ILL and the University of Cambridge to study the magnetic properties of the metal-insulator transition in low-dimensional van der Waals compounds. The transitions are induced at high mechanical pressures. The project will require the candidate to:
- Design and perform neutron diffraction experiments involving high-pressure sample environments, specifically on the transition metal-PS3 family of compounds.
- In collaboration with the ILL sample environment team, develop and implement high-pressure cells for use in neutron experiments, both in-situ and ex-situ.
- In collaboration with instrument scientists, work to implement high-pressure cells on ILL neutron diffractometers and spectrometer.
- Help the ILL to expand the user base, encouraging and assisting user teams to perform high-pressure experiments.

Duties:
Working within the Diffraction (DIF) Group, and in collaboration with the Quantum Matter group at the Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, you will be working to study the magnetic structure and dynamics of TM-PS3 compounds, where TM is a transition metal (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni), under high pressures using neutron scattering techniques. The compounds undergo insulator-metal transitions at high pressures, and your research project will be to characterise and understand the correlation of the transition with the magnetic properties. Your duties will include the design, preparation and execution of neutron scattering experiments, the analysis of the data and publication of the results. Design and preparation will include the development of high-pressure cells and experiment protocols for neutron instrumentation. You will be required to liaise and closely collaborate with the ILL sample environment group and instrument teams in the development. You will also be involved in assisting visiting scientists in high-pressure experiments and in promoting the use of high pressures for experiments at the ILL.

Qualifications and experience:
- Ph.D. in the physical sciences or chemistry.
- We are particularly interested in highly motivated candidates with knowledge of both neutron scattering and high-pressure experimental techniques.
- A strong background in instrumentation and in magnetism is an asset.
The post represents an excellent opportunity for young postdoctoral scientists to develop expertise, broaden experience and interact with leading scientists from around the world.

Language skills:
As an international research centre, we are particularly keen to ensure that we also attract applicants from outside France. You must have a sound knowledge of English and be willing to learn French (a language course will be paid for by the ILL). Knowledge of German would be an advantage.

Notes:
This post is located in GRENOBLE, France and subject to administrative screening. Starting date is ideally September 2020.
Post-doctoral contract of 18 months, renewable for a further 6-month period. Only candidates holding a PhD obtained less than 2 years ago are eligible for post-doctoral positions at ILL.
Further information can be obtained by contacting Dr. Andrew Wildes, tel. : +33(0)4.76.20.70.37, e-mail: wildes@ill.eu (please do not send your application to this address).

Benefits: Generous company benefits (expatriation allowance), relocation assistance and language courses may be offered (for more information, please consult our employment conditions).

How to apply:
Please submit your application in English on line with a list of publications, a two pages research statement and the names of 3 references, including one from your present work place, no later than 31.05.2020, via our website: www.ill.eu/careers (vacancy reference: 20/23).