The Professorship of Energy Technology at ETH Zurich comprises around 10 interdisciplinary researchers. As the name of its laboratory – Nanoscience for Energy Technology & Sustainability – represents, research of the group pertains to science and engineering at nanoscale for applications in energy technology and water technology. It is a research program designed to explore exciting nanoscience and novel nanomaterials and to find out nanotechnology solutions for our global sustainability issues.

PhD-Student in Two-Dimensional Nanomaterial Synthesis & Fabrication Control (70%)

Last two decades have seen a phenomenal shift of the dimensionality paradigm in materials processing, from zero-dimensional nanoparticles and quantum dots to one-dimensional nanowires and nanotubes, to two-dimensional (2D) material driven by the emergence of graphene. Recent advances in nanoscale characterization and device fabrication have opened up new opportunities for 2D materials in nanoelectronics and optoelectronics. A promising “semiconductor 2D material” to this avenue is TMDC (transition metal dichalcogenides). However, a clean, large-scale synthesis with tailoring physicochemical properties is absent in the current research community. In this project, we are interested in the growth of large area (e.g., square centimeters) TMDC thin layers (from single- to few layers) by chemical vapor deposition. Basic control of the 2D material synthesis as well as tailoring of material properties will be studied. Besides, tight collaboration with electronics engineers is planned to enable advanced nanoelectronic devices.

We are seeking highly motivated applicants with a strong desire to work on the synthesis and fabrication control of two-dimensional semiconductor nanomaterial. You should have a master degree either in Engineering, Chemistry, or Nanotechnology-related area. Experience in syntheses of semiconductor material, two-dimensional materials, or carbon nanomaterials will be a plus but not a necessity. You should have experience or taken courses in nanoscience and/or nanoengineering, including at least one of the following areas: (1) chemical vapor deposition of nanomaterials synthesis; (2) SEM/TEM/Raman/AFM/PL experimental characterization; (3) practical skills and demonstrated experience in surface chemistry. You must be able to work independently and communicate well with colleagues from various fields in English. You should have no problem of understanding and writing scientific articles in English.

For further information please contact Ms. Eunjeong Gross by e-mail egross@ethz.ch (no applications) and visit our website www.nets.ethz.ch

Applications with (1) curriculum vitae, (2) work certificates if anything, (3) transcripts during B.S. and M.S., and (4) a two-page maximum “statement of motivation” outlining your research interests and motivation for doing a PhD in the interdisciplinary field of nanoscience, particularly in relation with the current position available, should be sent online with attention to: ETH Zurich, H.-J. Tschachtli Human Resources, CH-8092, Zürich.