Postdoctoral Position Offer (M/F) – Molecular Dynamics Modeling of PVD Layer Growth

Descrizione

Postdoctoral Position Offer (M/F) – Molecular Dynamics Modeling of PVD Layer Growth Sintesi in italiano (traduzione automatica): Il ricercatore post-dottorato sarà responsabile dello sviluppo e dell'uso di simulazioni di dinamica molecolare per comprendere i meccanismi di crescita di film sottili depositati tramite sputtering magnetron, con o senza assistenza di fasci ionici, in particolare per materiali metallici (Ag) e ossidi (ZnO). La posizione è presso il laboratorio SVI, un'unità di ricerca congiunta tra CNRS e Saint-Gobain, situata nell'Innovation Hub Europe di Saint-Gobain. Il candidato dovrà coordinare scambi con l'Università di Helsinki e implementare simulazioni atomistiche, analizzando meccanismi di nucleazione e crescita in relazione ai parametri di deposizione. È richiesta una laurea di dottorato in fisica, ingegneria dei materiali o discipline affini. Il lavoro include anche la diffusione dei risultati attraverso pubblicazioni e conferenze. The postdoctoral researcher will be responsible for developing and exploiting molecular dynamics simulations to understand the growth mechanisms of thin films deposited by magnetron sputtering, with or without ion beam assistance (IBAS), particularly for metallic materials (Ag) and oxides (ZnO). Special attention will be given to ion beam-assisted ZnO growth in order to establish relationships between process conditions (energy, flux, temperature) and certain characteristics of the resulting layers, including their microstructure and their in-plane and out-of-plane texture. He/she will also be responsible for coordinating exchanges with the University of Helsinki. The candidate will implement atomistic simulations (MD), including the development or use of appropriate interatomic potentials to study adsorption, diffusion, and thin-film growth, as well as ion–matter interactions during deposition, whether ion-assisted or not. He/she will analyze nucleation, growth, and texturing mechanisms as a function of deposition parameters. The work will also include comparison with experimental results obtained by the CIFRE PhD student, as well as dissemination of the results (publications, conferences). Saint-Gobain offers innovative solutions for the construction market. Among these, functionalized glazing for enhanced thermal insulation includes multilayer stacks such as ZnO, whose structural characteristics—such as texture—are to be controlled. A PhD student began a CIFRE thesis in January 2026 at SVI, focusing on the study of the various mechanisms involved in ZnO growth. One objective is to identify the key mechanisms, particularly those related to the different ion fluxes involved. A molecular dynamics approach would help provide insights into the interactions between the different parameters governing the ion-assisted growth of this oxide layer. Moreover, a collaboration is underway with the University of Helsinki to further develop these aspects, particularly regarding the interatomic potentials to be used depending on the energy ranges. The SVI laboratory is a joint research unit between CNRS and Saint-Gobain and is hosted within the Saint-Gobain Innovation Hub Europe. The recruited person will report hierarchically to Hervé Montigaud. Annuncio in inglese. Fonte: Euraxess (Commissione europea).