The Institut Català de Nanociencia I Nanotecnologia (http://www.icn.cat) is an independent research institute jointly funded by the Catalan Government and the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC). Our premises are in a brand new building equipped with state of the art facilities located in the campus of the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona. We strive to be a world-leading centre for research in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology; our workforce is international, and English is our official language.

Description

The successful candidate will join the Oxide Nanoelectronics (ON) group, led by Prof. Gustau Catalan (https://www.icrea.cat/Web/ScientificStaff/Catalan-Bernabe-Gustau-516). The group specializes on electronic properties and phase transitions at the nanoscale, with a strong focus on electromechanics (generation of electricity by deformation or generation of deformation by voltage). Our group has been awarded with a prestigious European Research Council (ERC) grant worth 1.5 Million Euro to set up Europe’s first specialized laboratory of flexoelectricity. The ERC grant funds the present PhD position.

The candidate will work on the subject of bio-flexoelectricity: electricity generated by inhomogeneous deformation (bending) of biological tissues and bioceramics. The student’s tasks will include experimental design, sample preparation, data acquisition and theoretical analysis, and dissemination of results in scientific peer-reviewed journals and international conferences. This is an ambitious cross-disciplinary project in a dynamic and internationally leading research team. The candidate can expect to make high impact discoveries. The contract has guaranteed funding for at least three years, starting immediately.

Requisites

Applicants should have completed a degree in Physics or another discipline relevant to the project (Nanotechnology, Materials Science, Electronic Engineering or Biology).
We will value positively having a Master’s degree, particularly in Biophysics/Biomaterials.
The successful candidate must have an enquiring mind, enjoy problem-solving and be able to think independently while also being able to work in a team.
A good command of English, both in writing and in oral presentations, is mandatory.