Post-doc position in liquid/operando electron microscopy: toward understanding radiation damage; France (M/F)

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Post-doc position in liquid/operando electron microscopy: toward understanding radiation damage; France (M/F)

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Job description

Offer DescriptionThe postdoctoral researcher will join an ERC-funded project, led by Dr. Patricia Abellan, on the development of experimental workflows and predictive tools for the effects of electron beams on liquid samples observed by electron microscopy (SEM, TEM): aqueous solutions, hydrated materials, and interfaces water/solid. This is particularly important for in situ/operando/in vitro conditions as such obtained using liquid cells or cryogenic temperatures in the TEM. The project aims at developing an essential platform for reliable interpretation of liquid phase electron microscopy observations and robust experimental design.This project will involve: A) the implementation of correlative optical spectroscopy and electron microscopy methods for radiation chemistry quantification in close collaboration with Dr. Maxime Bayle (optical spectroscopy, Nantes University – IMN) and Prof. Jay LaVerne (radiation chemistry methods and modelling, University of Notre Dame Radiation Laboratory, USA). B) the development of analytical electrochemistry (operando) approaches in the electron microscope, in collaboration with Dr. Ivan Lucas (operando analytical electrochemistry, Nantes University – IMN).The postdoctoral researcher will in particular: develop in situ and ex situ methods for radiation chemistry evaluation using different liquid holders for the SEM and for the STEM, optical spectroscopy techniques, water radical chemistry and electrochemical approaches in the electron microscope.They will have access to the unique imaging and analytical electron microscopy capabilities of the PLASSMAT platform in the IMN and the dedicated equipment available through the ERC-funded project. The PLASSMAT platform hosts the state-of-the-art Nant’Themis (S)TEM (Thermo Fisher Scientific Themis Z G3), equipped with a monochromator (energy resolution
100 meV), probe corrector (spatial resolution of 60 pm @ 300 kV in STEM), and a variety of detectors and associated analytical capabilities: EDX spectroscopy (SuperX system with 4 detectors), EELS (direct electron detection camera Gatan K2 summit coupled with the Gatan GIF Quantum 966 ERS detector), iDPC, precession (Digistar and Astar from Nanomegas), fast acquisition cameras (Gatan OneView IS). The PLASSMAT platform also host a dual-beam FIB/SEM (ZEISS Crossbeam 550L) microscope and 4 different SEM microscopes, including a newly installed JEOL IT 70 SEM that will be used for this project.The postdoctoral researcher will also have access to a variety of newly commissioned sample holders dedicated to the study of aqueous samples and water-solid interfaces. These include a custom-designed liquid holder for the SEM (Norcada Inc.), a cryo-transfer holder with continuously variable temperature capabilities (Gatan), a liquid holder for homogeneous liquid thicknesses (Insight Chips) and a liquid holder with electrochemical capabilities (Hummingbird Sci.)This postdoctoral position is funded as part of a European Research Council, ERC consolidator grant supported by the European Union (DREAM-SWIM project). ERC grants are amongst the EU’s most prestigious and competitive programs that support ambitious, curiosity-driven projects that could lead to major scientific breakthroughs.

The host laboratory is the Institute of Materials of Nantes Jean Rouxel (IMN, UMR 6502, ). The IMN is a joined research centre between CNRS and Nantes University, with over 200 staff members including over 120 permanent researchers, administrative personnel and engineers and around 80 are PhD students, postdocs and fixed-term engineers. The successful candidate will join the PMN (Physics of materials and nanostructures) team, as part of a research axis aimed at the study of interfaces at the nanometer scale, and will benefit from the interaction with many colleagues working in several fields of material sciences. The postdoctoral position is based at the Center of Microcharacterization (CMC) of the IMN and this person will also interact with other researchers, engineers and graduate students working on electron microscopy on a myriad of different problems.This project will be done in strong collaboration with the Notre Dame Radiation Laboratory (NDRL) located at the University of Notre Dame, in Indiana, USA ( ), and in particular with Prof. Jay LaVerne. NDRL is a world-renowned center for both radiation chemistry and solar photochemistry.Where to apply WebsiteRequirementsResearch Field Chemistry Education Level PhD or equivalentResearch Field Physics Education Level PhD or equivalentResearch Field Technology Education Level PhD or equivalentLanguages FRENCH Level BasicResearch Field Chemistry Years of Research Experience NoneResearch Field Physics Years of Research Experience NoneResearch Field Technology Years of Research Experience NoneAdditional InformationEligibility criteriaRequirements:

• Must hold a Ph. D in chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering or closely related backgrounds
• Knowledge on/Laboratory experience with water radical chemistry
• Background on electron microscopy
• Experience in electrochemistry and spectroscopy
• Problem solving skills

Desirable experience / skills:

• Practical experience on electron microscopy, including SEM, (S)TEM and associated spectroscopies (EELS, EDS)
• Operando electron microscopy/ electrochemistry in the EM
• Background and data analysis on absorption spectroscopy
• Experience with Monte Carlo/kinetics simulations
• Very good English

Additional commentsProject funded by the European Union (ERC CoG 2023, DREAM-SWIM, project 101124066). Website for additional job detailsWork Location(s)Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Institut des matériaux de Nantes Jean Rouxel Country France City NANTES GeofieldContact CityNANTES WebsiteSTATUS: EXPIREDShare this page

Expected salary

Location

France

Job date

Sat, 27 Jul 2024 04:34:12 GMT

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