PhD thesis student at ILL: Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly by Neutron Scattering European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in France

The European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble, France, is offering a PhD position focused on studying Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly (PISA) using neutron scattering techniques. The successful candidate will join the LSS group at the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL), specifically the small angle neutron scattering (SANS) team, and utilize advanced SANS instruments (D11 and D22) to investigate the kinetics of morphological transitions in polymer nanostructures.

This research aims to employ Time-Resolved Small Angle Neutron Scattering (TR-SANS) to understand the reorganization processes (such as unimer exchange, fusion, and fission) during PISA. PISA enables the environmentally-friendly synthesis and self-assembly of amphiphilic AB diblock copolymers in water, producing nanostructures like spheres, worms, and vesicles at high solid contents without organic solvents. These structures are significant for industrial applications in materials and health sciences, but the mechanisms of their reorganization during PISA remain underexplored.

The project will involve polymer synthesis and characterization in dispersed media and solution, handling complex SANS instruments, and performing detailed data analysis with physical models. The candidate will be based full-time at ILL in Grenoble, with secondments to Institut des Molécules et Matériaux du Mans (Le Mans Université), Institut Parisien de Chimie Moléculaire (Sorbonne Université), and Forschungszentrum Jülich in Germany. Additional visits to Le Mans Université may occur as needed. A comprehensive pedagogical training programme will be provided throughout the 3-year PhD project.

Applicants must hold a relevant master's degree (chemistry, materials science, polymer science, supramolecular chemistry, or nanotechnology) from a European university or equivalent. Essential skills include experimental expertise, rigor, communication, and curiosity. A background in polymer chemistry and/or physical chemistry is required; knowledge of scattering techniques and polymer self-assembly is advantageous. English proficiency at B2 level is mandatory unless the applicant is a native speaker or holds a degree conducted in English. The Marie Sklodowska-Curie mobility rule applies: candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity in France for more than twelve months in the three years before the application deadline. Candidates must not already possess a doctoral degree and must meet doctoral programme enrolment requirements.

For further information, contact Dr. Olivier Colombani ([email protected]) or Dr. Ralf Schweins ([email protected]). Applications should be submitted via the provided link, including all required documents and proof of English proficiency. The position offers a unique opportunity to work in a world-class research environment, contribute to sustainable polymer science, and gain interdisciplinary training across leading European institutions.