PhD Position in Theoretical modeling of Chemical Solution Deposition of Ceramic Superconductors
1 PhD (4y) position in
Theoretical modeling of Chemical Solution Deposition of Ceramic Superconductors
Scientific context
High-Tc ceramic superconductors such as the prototype YBCO are brittle materials. The brittleness limits their application in devices. Depositing thin superconducting layers on metallic substrates could lead to a good compromise between mechanical flexibility (provided by the substrate) and superconductivity (provided by the YBCO layer). A bottleneck in using such “coated conductors” at an industrial scale is the lack of energy-efficient, low-cost, environmentally-friendly and scalable deposition procedures for the YBCO layers. Chemical solution deposition starting from water-based, fluorine free precursors based on metal-organic coordination complexes is being examined for this purpose.
Experiments are not sensitive to all atomic-scale details of the complex interactions during the chemical solution deposition process. Moreover, the number of possible deposition conditions (temperatures, pressures, precursors,…) is unlimited, and it is impossible to test them all. Ab initio modeling of some of the key features of the deposition process could therefore provide essential complementary insight. With improved understanding of the deposition process at the atomic scale, new targeted experiments will become possible.
Modeling tools that will be needed in this work are DFT at the level of LDA+U or hybrid functionals (to cope with the CeO2 that is usually part of the substrate), combined with ab initio thermodynamics (e.g. to take the oxygen pressure of the environment into account). Bulk, surface and interface studies will be required, with and without impurities and/or vacancies.
Requirements
For this ambitious project we search a skilled chemist, physicist or materials scientist with a preference for computational modeling at the atomic scale. The successful candidate will be embedded in an experimental team, but in close contact with theoretical and computational partners. Good communication skills and a reasonable amount of independence are therefore essential. As initial background, a good knowledge of solid state chemistry/physics is required and experience with DFT applications is an advantage.
Practical
A CV, motivation letter and contact info of 2 referees can be sent Isabel.VanDriessche-at-ugent.be, preferably before 31 May. The starting date for this position can be negotiated, but should be preferably be in October 2009 or before.
More info can be obtained from: Prof. Isabel Van Driessche (Solid State Chemistry, http://www.we06.ugent.be/vastestof/), Prof. Patrick Bultinck (Ghent Quantum Chemistry Group, http://www.quantum.ugent.be/) and Dr. Stefaan Cottenier (Center for Molecular Modeling, http://molmod.ugent.be/cmm/wiki/).
Further Scholarship Information and Application
Scholarship Tags: Ceramic, Chemical, Deposition, modeling, PhD, Position, Solution, Superconductors, Theoretical
Scholarship Search
Important: Scholarship-Positions.com is not responsible for the content of any external websites linked to or referenced on this site.
Browse Scholarships
- Africa Scholarships
- Australia Scholarships
- Austria Scholarships
- Belgium Scholarships
- Canada Scholarships
- China Scholarships
- Denmark Scholarships
- France Scholarships
Recent USA Scholarships
Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Research at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 2012/13 USA 2012-2013 Fulbright NEXUS Regional Scholar Program, USA 2012 R G Menzies Scholarships for Australian Citizens, USA TLMI 4 Year College Degree Scholarship Program, USA 2012 2012-13 TLMI 2 Year College Degree Scholarship Program, USARecent UK Scholarships
RIBA Aedas Stephen Williams Scholarship in Architecture, 2012/13 RIBA Norman Foster Travelling Scholarship in Architecture, 2012 2012 Research Position in Pure Mathematics at University of Bristol, UK Postdoctoral Research Position in Synthesis and Analysis of Peptide-Based Porous Materials, UK Postdoctoral Research Position in Structural Engineering at University of Liverpool, UK 2012Recent Germany Scholarships
PhD Studentship in Polymer Sciences at German Institute for Polymers, Germany Postdoctoral/ PhD Student Postions in Genome Biology at GRK1721, 2012 Germany Bucerius PhD Scholarship in Migration Studies, 2012 Germany PhD Position in Theoretical Physics at Humboldt University Berlin, Germany Doctoral – Postdoctoral Program in Mathematics Education in Germany 2012Recent India Scholarships
2012 Summer Research Fellowships in Engineering at IIT Delhi, India The Ravi Sankaran Fellowship Program for Indian Students, 2012 Trinity College Dublin Scholarships for Postgraduate Students, Ireland 2012 2012 Henley Business School Scholarship India at University of Reading, UK POCE/POBE Scholarship Programme at Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research- Bangalore, IndiaWomen Scholarships
Call for Applications: Women Scientists Scheme (WOS-C) Training, India 2012 HHL Scholarship for Women in Business, Germany 2012 University Hall St Andrews Graduates’ Association (UHStAGA) Scholarship, UK 2012 International Fellowships Programme for Women in Japan WIA Foundation Annual 2012-2013 Scholarship for Women, USAAfrica Scholarships
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Geology for Australian Citizens in Tanzania, 2012 2nd Joint Call Research Proposal in Population, Reproductive Health and Economic Development, 2012 The 2012 TechWomen Professional Mentorship and Exchange Program, USA Internship Programme at African Development Bank, 2012 Africa MPhil / PhD Research Internships at PLASS Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies, South AfricaScholarship Blog
Useful Links
Search in Worldwide UniversitiesOxford Laboratory Technology
Search Courses in Indian Universities
IndiaJobs.co.in, India Jobs Employment, Recruitment, Careers, Interview
Teaching, Professor Jobs in India
GRE Prep and Free Courses