Modelling mechanisms of transduction in conducting-IPN for micro-structure

The Institut d’Electronique de Microélectronique et de Nanotechnologies is a research institute created by the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), two universities and an Engineering school of France’s northern region. IEMN equipment for design, fabrication and characterization of devices are at the best European level. The IEMN scientific activity covers a large domain going from the physics of materialsand nanostructures to microwaves, telecommunications and acoustics instrumentation.You can learn more about the collaborative research and initiatives through these web pages http://exploit.iemn.univ-lille1.fr/en/ .
The Advanced Materials and Process Engineering Laboratory at UBC is a multidisciplinary research center at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver, Canada. The main goal of AMPEL is to bring together top level basic and applied research groups working in a synergistic manner on leading edge research of materials, devices and processing sciences in a collaborative environment sharing both their expertise and the most advanced research facilities. You can learn more about the collaborative research and initiatives through the web page http://www.ampel.ubc.ca/

Objectives: The PhD student will improve the understanding of the electromechanical mechanisms induced in new micro-actuators based on electronically conducting polymer for a future integration inside soft MEMS.
First two materials will be rapidly optimized by combining appropriately the specific properties of each network: good ionic conductivity (PEO) and good mechanical properties (PTHF and NBR). The mechanical properties of these materials allow the synthesis of solid polymer electrolyte materials that can be elaborated and manipulated with thicknesses from 5 to 10 µm. A innovative cleanroom spin coating process has been developed to be compatible with microsystem technology. The conducting-IPNs are synthesized from previous IPNs in which the conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) is weakly interpenetrated. This interface is controlled and this step will be fundamental for the electromechanical studies and for modeling.

The candidate will share his time between Institut d’Electronique de Microélectronique et de Nanotechnologies (Eric Cattan), and the Advanced Materials and Process Engineering Laboratory (John Madden).

Applications are invited for PhD positions (“Early Stage Researchers” ESR) to be funded by the Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network “MICACT – Microactuators” within the Horizon 2020 Programme of the European Commission. The ESR will obtain PhD with a wide experience in materials engineering and/or mechatronics engineering.
The successful candidate should have following profile:
● M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Material Science/Engineering,, or related field
● Strong experimental skills in electrical and mechanical engineering, materials science, basic polymer science, functional biology or related field
● Have a strong interest in interdisciplinary research and enjoy teamwork with colleagues in a multicultural setting.
● Adept at thinking at a system level, interested in applications and enjoy building and testing working devices
● Highly motivated, taking initiative, communicative, quality minded, flexible, and eager to learn
● Eager to frequent travel to secondment hosts and workshops
● Experience in the fields of soft actuators or testing will be an asset.
● Basic knowledge in clean room processes will be appreciated
● Fluent in English. Knowledge of local language is a plus.

Application procedure:

Interested candidates should send their CV and Letter of Motivations to HOST CONTACT (indicate the selected ESR and host!). Deadline for applications is January 28th. Earlier application gives an advantage.
The host contact person will give additional information about formal requirements to apply for PhD student position at specific university.

Positions will be filled starting from March 1st.

Benefits and salary
The MSCA programme offers highly competitive and attractive salary and working conditions. The successful candidates will receive a salary in accordance with the MSCA regulations for early stage researchers. Exact salary will be confirmed upon appointment [Living Allowance = 37.320 euro/year (correction factor to be applied per country) + Monthly mobility allowance = 600 to 1100 euro depending on the family situation]. In addition to their individual scientific projects, all fellows will benefit from further continuing education, which includes internships and secondments, a variety of training modules as well as transferable skills courses and active participation in workshops and conferences.

Eligibility criteria
● Early-stage researchers (ESR) are those who are, at the time of recruitment by the host, in the first four years (full-time equivalent) of their research careers. ESR should qualify as PhD student for PhD programme in the university in which the research training is provided.
● Researchers can be of any nationality. At the time of recruitment by the host, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their host for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the reference date. Short stays such as holidays and/or compulsory national service are not taken into account.