Post-doc Nanomechanical Switches

Department/faculty: Applied Sciences
Level: PhD degree (post doc)
Working hours: 38 hours per week
Contract: 18 months
Salary: €2427 to €3831


Applied Sciences

The Faculty of Applied Sciences is the largest faculty of TU Delft, with around 550 scientists, a support staff of 250 and 1,800 students. The faculty conducts fundamental, application-oriented research and offers scientific education at the bachelor, master and doctoral levels. The faculty is active in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Applied Physics.

The Molecular Electronics and Devices group studies the electronic properties of molecular and mechanical systems at the nanoscale. Most of the experiments we perform involve a combination of top-down and bottom-up nanotechnology.
Top-down nanotechnology is used to build nanometer-scale structures that are used as resonators or to make electrical contact to single molecules or nanoparticles. Bottom-up technologies we use include self-assembly techniques to contact the molecules between electrodes, place nanoparticles in well ordered arrays, and to grow carbon nanotubes. At the smallest end of the spectrum we also build atomic nanostructures from scratch through atom manipulation using scanning tunneling microscopy.


Job description

As a post-doc, you will join a team working on room-temperature nanomechanical devices and their applications. State-of-the-art fabrication and characterisation techniques are utilized to investigate dynamic properties, nonlinear effects and fluctuations in nano-scale devices. Commercial deployment of scientific results is possible via collaborations with industry.
The aim of your research is to develop nanomechanical devices that can function as a switch operating close to the Landauer limit. The Landauer limit is the minimum quantity of heat, that is generated when a classical bit of information is erased. The dissipation in transistor-based computer ciruits exceeds this theoretical minimum by orders of magnitude.
You will design devices using top-down nanofabrication technology combined with 2-dimensional materials such as graphene and MoS2. The nonlinear dynamic behaviour and thermomechanical fluctuations of these systems will be investigated, and tuned towards the range in which the device functions as a switch with a low energy barrier. By coupling such systems, you will lay the groundwork for low-power computer circuits based on nanomechanical logic.
You will be working as part of a dedicated team in a world-class scientific environment alongside top researchers. Your project will include theoretical as well as practical aspects, and you will have the opportunity to explore fully the implications of your discoveries. You will enroll in the Casimir Research School and benefit from a wide range of excellent training courses. 


Requirements

We are looking for an enthusiastic candidate with background in physics or engineering. Excellent experimental skills are required, in addition to experience in one or more of the topics MEMS/NEMS, nonlinear dynamics, thermodynamics and/or stochastic processes, as evidenced by scientific papers published in peer-reviewed journals. Candidates with cross-disciplinary interests, communication skills and an applications-oriented mindset are encouraged to apply. Mastery of English is essential.


Conditions of employment

TU Delft offers an attractive benefits package, including a flexible work week, free high-speed Internet access from home (with a contract of two years or longer), and the option of assembling a customised compensation and benefits package. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.


Information and application

For more information about this position, please contact Dr. W.J. Venstra, phone: +31 (0)15-2788102, e-mail: w.j.venstra@tudelft.nl. To apply, please e-mail a detailed CV and list of publications along with a letter of application by 15 May 2014 to Ms. M. Roodenburg, m.roodenburg-vandijk@tudelft.nl.
When applying for this position, please refer to vacancy number TNWQN14-016.


Enquiries from agencies are not appreciated.

Votes: 0
E-mail me when people leave their comments –

You need to be a member of The International NanoScience Community - Nanopaprika.eu to add comments!

Join The International NanoScience Community - Nanopaprika.eu