PhD student at ILL: studying multistate spintronics in magnetoelectric antiferromagnets

The European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble, France, is offering a PhD position focused on multistate spintronics in magnetoelectric antiferromagnets. ESRF is a world-leading research center, renowned for its advanced particle accelerator and intense X-ray beams, supporting thousands of scientists annually across diverse fields. The successful candidate will join the diffraction group at the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL), which specializes in powder and single-crystal diffractometry for determining crystal and magnetic structures in condensed matter systems. This PhD project, titled "Beyond Binary: Multistate spintronics in magnetoelectric antiferromagnets," aims to explore controllable multi-state memory states in ferrotoroidic materials. Ferrotoroidicity is recognized as the fourth ferroic order, alongside ferromagnetism, ferroelectricity, and ferroelasticity. The research will build on recent breakthroughs in magnetoelectric and antiferromagnetic orthophosphate single crystals, where electric and magnetic fields have been used to control four distinct magnetic domains—an unprecedented achievement in bulk antiferromagnets. The project seeks to advance switchable antiferromagnetic multistate devices, which could drive a paradigm shift from charge-based to spin-based microelectronics. Research activities will include investigating powder and single-crystal samples using complementary techniques such as bulk property measurements, unpolarized neutron diffraction, and spherical neutron polarimetry. The primary goal is to examine the conditions under which multistate, controllable antiferromagnetic domains can be reproducibly switched. The candidate will spend six months at the Technical University of Denmark, where they will be enrolled in the doctoral school, and will otherwise be based full-time at ILL in Grenoble. A varied pedagogical training programme will be provided throughout the three-year PhD project. Applicants should have a strong background in physics or materials science, with hands-on experience in neutron and x-ray diffraction, magnetic crystallography, theoretical understanding of neutron scattering and magnetism, and familiarity with density functional theory, statistics, and programming. Manual skills and attention to detail are essential. Candidates must hold a degree qualifying for PhD enrolment, demonstrate proficiency in English (B2 level or equivalent), and comply with the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions mobility rule. The candidate must not already be working towards or in possession of a doctoral degree at the time of recruitment. For further information, contact Dr. Navid Qureshi ([email protected]) or Associate Prof. Niels Bech Christensen ([email protected]). Applications should be submitted via the provided link, including proof of English proficiency and relevant academic documentation. The position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in spintronics and magnetoelectric materials at a premier European research facility.