Postdoctoral Position in Materials Physics for Fusion Research

Postdoctoral Position in Materials Physics for Fusion Research

Uppsala University

Uppsala, Sweden

The project will focus on studies of kinetic processes of light chemical species such as hydrogen isotopes or helium or oxygen in plasma-facing materials for fusion research applications. The work will include both studying fundamental aspects of ion-solid interaction which govern, for example erosion and implantation in materials but also improvement of analytical methods for detection of light chemical species with high resolution and sensitivity. An important aspect will be to perform high‑sensitivity time‑of‑flight studies of surface and near‑surface processes, such as the desorption of species during ion‑beam exposure (electronic sputtering), in combination with high‑resolution depth profiling. The work will be of primarily experimental character.

Duties

The project is focused on experimental studies to study light chemical elements such as H, He or O in different material systems relevant for fusion energy applications.

More specifically, this will include:

• Experiments to detect light chemical elements in materials which have been exposed to different environments.
• Synthesis, preparation, modification and characterization of plasma facing materials.
• Handling and development of large-scale instrumentation for non-destructive materials analysis, in particular using ion beams for in-situ and in-operando analysis.
• Handling and analysis of complex experimental data, evaluation and simulation with e.g. Monte-Carlo and Molecular Dynamics approaches.

Requirements

PhD degree in physics, engineering or an equivalent field or a foreign degree equivalent to a PhD degree in physics, engineering or an equivalent field. The degree needs to be obtained by the time of the decision of employment. Priority will be given to applicants who have completed their degree no more than three years before the deadline for applications. Due to special circumstances, the degree may have been obtained earlier. The three-year period can be extended due to circumstances such as sick leave, parental leave, duties in labour unions, etc.

Experience with materials research, preferentially with ion beam and plasma facing materials, is required. Well documented experience in handling vacuum instruments for materials research is also required. The ability to communicate well in spoken and written English is required.