PhD in High-Resolution Time-Resolved Microstructural Evolution Under Ion Irradiation via TEM Forschungszentrum Jülich in Germany

PhD project: High-Resolution Time-Resolved Microstructural Evolution Under Ion Irradiation using transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

This doctoral project focuses on using Dynamic TEM (DTEM) to directly observe irreversible microstructural changes in materials during ion irradiation, with near-atomic spatial resolution and timescales from nanoseconds to microseconds. The research aims to uncover how displacement cascades form and evolve, how defects move and interact in real time, and how irradiation drives phase transitions and other fast structural changes in advanced materials.

The work is highly relevant for materials used in energy, aerospace, and nuclear environments, where ion irradiation can degrade performance. The project also explores fast transitions in amorphous metals, including glass transition, recrystallization, and rejuvenation. Experimental conditions will be designed to resemble real operating environments as closely as possible, with control over temperature, atmosphere, humidity, laser illumination, and ion-irradiation parameters such as isotope, energy, flux, and flow.

In addition to experiments, the project includes computational modelling of displacement-cascade formation and microstructural evolution using molecular dynamics, kinetic Monte Carlo, and kinetic rate theory. Advanced image processing will be used to analyse low-dose images and support interpretation of dynamic processes.

Host and collaboration: The main host institute is the Ernst Ruska-Centre for Microscopy and Spectroscopy with Electrons (ER-C) at Forschungszentrum Jülich, working in collaboration with ETH Zurich, particularly the Laboratory of Metal Physics and Technology (LMPT) and the ScopeM microscopy centre. The project includes an extended research stay of at least three months at ETH Zurich for complementary expertise, metallic sample preparation, and access to additional microscopy infrastructure.

Eligibility highlights: Applicants should have a degree enabling PhD enrolment in chemistry, materials science, physics, or a closely related field. Strong TEM experience, specimen preparation skills, programming ability in Python or MATLAB, and prior knowledge of radiation damage or defect physics are advantageous. English proficiency at B2 level is required, unless waived by native-English background or an English-taught degree. The Marie Sklodowska-Curie mobility rule applies.

Application window: The deadline is 29 July 2027 at 23:59 (Europe/Paris).

Programme context: The position is part of the NEXTSTEP Doctoral Programme, which supports doctoral researchers working across research infrastructures in Europe.