PhD position in Altermagnets for Spintronics

We are offering a four-year predoctoral position in the framework of the Project ETMOS ( Exploring Transition Metal Oxides for Energy-Efficient Spin-Orbit Torque Devices for the Next-Generation Magnetic Memories) at the Advanced Characterization and Nanostructured Materials. The project focuses on altermagnets, a recently discovered class of magnetic materials that combine the best features of antiferromagnets and ferromagnets — zero net magnetization with symmetry protected spin splitting. These materials promise ultrafast, energy-efficient spin-based information 
technologies. During your PhD you will acquire multidisciplinary skills on thin film growth, microstructural characterization and physical properties of altermagnetic thin films and complex oxide heterostructures. This position entails the pursuit of a PhD thesis under the guidance of Dr. Alberto Pomar and Prof. Benjamín Martínez within the framework of the UAB doctoral program in Physics.

Main tasks

• In this interdisciplinary research, the candidate will be responsible for the following tasks:
  Designing and growing complex heterostructures based on magnetic oxides.
• Conducting comprehensive structural and physical characterization of the prepared thin 
  films and multilayers.
• Evaluating the efficiency of spin-based devices by understanding the physical mechanisms 
  governing spin transmission and spin-charge interconversion.

Requirements

• Bachelor´s degree in Physics, Materials Science, Nanotechnology or similar.
• Official master´s degree, essential for enrolment in the PhD programme, with strong 
  background in Materials Science, Physics, Nanotechnology or related disciplines.
• Fluency in written/spoken English.

Personal skills & others

• High motivation for experimental research.
• Working aptitudes in a collaborative group.

We offer a postdoctoral position in computational materials science within the DOMMINO project, a collaborative project between ICMAB-CSIC (Spain) and Imperial College London (UK) aimed at advancing organic energy technologies and coordinated by Prof. Mariano Campoy-Quiles (ICMAB-CSIC). The successful candidate will lead theoretical and computational activities concerned with the structure-property relationships that control electrical transport and thermal transport in organic semiconductors, the coupling between these, and the mechanisms of doping organic semiconductors. The successful candidate will work closely with experimental and theoretical partners across the consortium. They will be co-supervised by Prof. Jenny Nelson (Imperial College London), and Dr. Riccardo Rurali (ICMAB-CSIC).

Main tasks: 
•    Develop atomistic and coarse-grained models of the structure and dynamics of molecular semiconductors, including conjugated polymers.
•    Perform molecular dynamics simulations to investigate structural organization and molecular connectivity.
•    Carry out electronic-structure calculations to explore the impact of structure on electronic properties and charge transport mechanisms.
•    Calculate the thermal conductivity of systems of interest using molecular dynamics models.
•    Develop and validate theoretical models exploring the connection between thermal conductivity and electronic mobility in different classes of material.
•    Study the mechanism of polaron formation and dynamics, including the role of doping, and its influence on electronic and thermal transport, 
•    Collaborate with experimental researchers to interpret electrical and thermal transport measurements and establish structure-property relationships.
•    Provide support in molecular modelling techniques to other consortium members
•    Disseminate results through publications and conference presentations.

Key responsibilities: 
•    Lead the computational research activities of the relevant work package (WP1) within the DOMMINO project.
•    Coordinate modelling efforts with project partners at ICMAB-CSIC and Imperial College London.
•    Develop skills in relevant methods to assist the research.
•    Contribute to project reporting and scientific deliverables.
•    Support the supervision of students and junior researchers where appropriate.
•    Contribute to the visibility of the project through publications, presentations and collaborative activities.

Requirements including language skills, if applicable: 
•    PhD in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering or a related field.
•    Proven experience in molecular modelling and atomistic simulations of materials.
•    Proven expertise in designing, running and analysing molecular dynamics simulations.
•    Experience with electronic structure methods, including DFT or related approaches.
•    Excellent programming and data analysis skills.
•    Track record in leading the writing up of research articles for publication.
•    Excellent command of written and spoken English.

Additional desirable skills
•    Experience in the structural characterization and modelling of molecular and soft materials.
•    Experience of transport phenomena in soft electronic materials
•    Experience of scripting on high performance computer systems
•    Experience of coding in python, Julia and other scientific computing languages

Personal skills & others: 
•    Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
•    Scientific creativity and curiosity.
•    Capacity to work in an international and multidisciplinary environment.
•    Excellent organizational and communication skills.
•    Motivation to collaborate closely with both theoretical and experimental researchers.

What it will also be valued (previous experience):
•    Experience in organic semiconductors and conjugated polymers.
•    Experience in charge transport modelling.
•    Interest in and/or experience with thermal transport phenomena and simulations.
•    Experience with multiscale modelling approaches linking molecular structure to macroscopic properties.
•    Experience in high-performance computing environments.
•    International research experience and a strong publication record.

The Position focuses on thermal transport in semiconducting polymers, and is funded through the Severo Ochoa Program awarded to our institution (Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona, ICMAB). This initiative promotes collaboration among researchers from diverse scientific backgrounds. The current project specifically addresses the investigation of the thermal conductivity tensor in organic thin films. The main objective of this proposal is to study the thermal properties of polymers used for optoelectronic and energy applications, such as for thermoelectrics. The candidate will perform systematic studies on the chemical structure, molecular weight, sidechains, orientation etc., in order to develop a general understanding of what governs the thermal properties of these systems. The measurement of the effect of heating in operando will also be studied for several devices. Furthermore, it aims to develop the Doctoral Candidate’s scientific expertise to produce excellent research, and interdisciplinary collaboration with scientists from different fields ranging from Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science and Data Science. 

Roles and Responsabilities 

The main part of your work will be carried out at Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC) in Barcelona, Spain, in the group of Dr. Sebastian Reparaz co-supervised by Prof. Mariano Campoy-Quiles. The project will fund the PhD salary for three years (typically the length of a PhD in Spain) and would start no later than February 2027. The PhD degree will be awarded by Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) on the basis of successful completion of the research work and PhD studies. The candidate will also be required to participate in the training activities and workshops throughout the project.

Topic:  Thermal Properties of Organic Materials

This PhD research will focus on:

i) Developing thermal high-throughput screening methods for organic thin film systems to study cross-plane and in-plane thermal transport.

ii) Correlation of thermal properties with structure and morphology.

iii) Study of large datasets that will be employed to feed statistical tools and artificial intelligence models to identify correlations between structural and thermal properties.

iv) Use advanced IR imaging to visualize heat maps in in-operando optoelectronic devices.

The ideal candidate

•    The applicant should have completed at least four- or five-years education with a Master’s degree or Diploma from a recognized university in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science or in a related field and should be eligible as graduate student at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB, see https://www.uab.cat/en/phds/materials-science#seccio-inici for further info).

•    The applicant should show interest in conducting a research project independently and should enjoy working in an international, interdisciplinary environment.

•    The applicant should demonstrate an excellent command of the English language at a proficient level (spoken and written).

•    Experience in solution-processed organic semiconductors and their applications will be valuable. In addition, experience with spectroscopic tools would also be favorably reviewed.  International experience during Master’s or research stage/visits will also be positively considered.

The Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC) aims to increase the proportion of women and therefore qualified female applicants are explicitly encouraged to apply. ICMAB-CSIC actively promotes diversity and equal opportunities. Applicants are not to be discriminated against in personnel selection procedures on the grounds of gender, ethnicity, religion or ideology, age, sexual orientation (anti-discrimination). People with disabilities and who have the relevant qualifications are expressly invited to apply.