PhD student at ILL: studying multistate spintronics in magnetoelectric antiferromagnets

The European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble, France, offers a PhD position focused on multistate spintronics in magnetoelectric antiferromagnets. This opportunity is embedded within 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. The successful candidate will be enrolled at the Technical University of Denmark, spending six months there as part of the doctoral program. The project addresses the growing need for next-generation microelectronic devices, as transistor density growth slows compared to Moore’s law. Spintronics, which leverages both the charge and spin of electrons, is a promising field for future device development. Magnetoelectric materials are central to this research, offering unique properties such as electric polarization control via magnetic fields and magnetization control via electric fields. The thesis aims to explore controllable multi-state memory states in ferrotoroidic materials, a fourth ferroic order alongside ferromagnetism, ferroelectricity, and ferroelasticity. Recent advances have demonstrated electric and magnetic field control of four distinct magnetic domains in bulk antiferromagnets, opening the door to switchable antiferromagnetic multistate devices and a paradigm shift from charge-based to spin-based microelectronics. Research will involve investigating powder and single-crystal samples using complementary techniques, including 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 ideal candidate should have hands-on experience with neutron and x-ray diffraction, theoretical understanding of neutron scattering and magnetism, experience with density functional theory, statistics, and programming. Manual skills and attention to detail are essential. Applicants must hold a degree allowing enrolment for a PhD (such as MSc or equivalent) in physics or related fields. Proficiency in English at B2 level is required, with proof unless from a native-English-speaking country or holding a degree conducted in English. If proof is not available, an English test will be requested. Candidates must comply with the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions mobility rule and must not already be working towards or in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment. They must also satisfy the conditions for enrolment in a doctoral programme. The successful candidate will be based full-time at ILL in Grenoble, with a six-month external stay at the Technical University of Denmark. A varied pedagogical training program will be offered throughout the three-year PhD project. The position is part of the NEXTSTEP initiative, which trains researchers to exploit analytical research infrastructures for sustainable development and industrial competitiveness in health, digital industry, climate, energy, mobility, food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture, and environment. For further information, contact Dr. Navid Qureshi ([email protected]) at ILL or Associate Prof. Niels Bech Christensen ([email protected]) at the Technical University of Denmark. Apply online via the provided links and ensure compliance with all eligibility requirements.