Conducting-IPN microactuators fabrication

Laboratoire de Physicochimie des Polymères et des Interfaces (LPPI) is a research laboratory located at Université de Cergy-Pontoise (France) gathering 20 researchers and around 20 PhD and post-doctorate students. The team is the result of collaboration between chemists (organic, inorganic, electrochemists), and experts in the physico-chemistry of polymers and of surfaces and interfaces. One of the most rewarding achievements of LPPI was to bring together the skills of the research team in the Electronic conducting Polymer (ECP) and the Interpenetrating Polymer Network (IPN) fields in the design of a new type of conducting polymer actuators and microactuators operating in liquid , open-air, or low vacuum.
The Institut d’Electronique de Microélectronique et de Nanotechnologies (IEMN) is a research institute created by the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), two universities and an Engineer school of France northern region. IEMN equipment for design, fabrication and characterization of microdevices are at the best European level. The IEMN scientific activity covers a large domain going from the physics of materials and nanostructures to microwaves, telecommunications and acoustics instrumentation.

Objectives: The ESR will work on the fabrication of conducting-IPN microactuators for a future integration inside soft MEMS.the PhD research plan focuses on design ultra-thin actuators (<10μm) which can be integrated into micro-structures using existing technologies, patterning through standard photolithography and dry etching techniques. The IPN actuator will be designed based on PEDOT as active material and on elastomer and/or PVDF as an electrical insulator and ion reservoir. Furthermore electrical contact adapted to the micrometer scale should be performed during this PhD, indeed this problem was up to now partially solved. The design and synthesis of the ion reservoir membrane and the actuator will be carried out at LPPI whereas the actuator patterning through standard photolithography and dry etching techniques will be done at IEMN

The candidates have a master degree in Polymer Synthesis or Physico-chemistry of Polymers or an equivalent. Knowledge in micro-system fabrication and/or photolithography is appreciated. The candidates must have a strong interest in interdisciplinary research and enjoy teamwork.

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.