PhD student at ILL: In situ neutron diffraction for green steel and functional metal oxides European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in France

The European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble, France, offers a PhD position focused on in situ neutron diffraction for green steel and functional metal oxides. The successful candidate will join the diffraction group at the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL), working with powder diffractometers D1B and D20, which are specialized for time-resolved in situ investigations of solids, phase transitions, and chemical reactions. The project centers on elucidating reaction pathways for hydrogen reduction using in situ methods, aiming to deepen understanding of industrial processes such as ore smelting and to develop synthesis strategies for reduced transition metal oxides.

Research will involve developing gas-flow cells for solid-gas reactions and implementing them on neutron diffractometers. Complementary in situ X-ray powder diffraction experiments will be conducted at Leipzig University, Germany. Target compounds include oxides of chromium, iron, tungsten, and strongly correlated electron systems such as SrFeO3−𝛿, LaNiO3, and SrRuO3. The project will extract structural details, including oxygen defects and hydrogen content, for all phases, including intermediates, to improve both industrial processes (e.g., green steel production) and laboratory syntheses for functional materials.

The PhD candidate will be enrolled in the doctoral school at Leipzig University (Germany) but based full-time at the ILL in Grenoble, with 2–4 months of preparational work at Leipzig University. A varied pedagogical training program will be offered throughout the 3-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 areas such as health, industry, climate, energy, mobility, food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture, and environment.

Applicants must have a relevant master's degree (chemistry, physics, materials science, nanotechnology, or related), experience in synthesis of solids, crystallography, and diffraction methods, and proficiency in English (B2 level or equivalent). Manual skills and attention to detail are essential. Candidates must comply with the Marie Sklodowska-Curie mobility rule and must not already be working towards or in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment. The position is not funded by the EU Research Framework Programme.

For further information, contact Dr. Thomas Hansen ([email protected]), Dr. Ove Korjus ([email protected]), or Prof. Dr. Holger Kohlmann ([email protected]). Apply online via the provided links before the deadline of March 6, 2027.