Publisher
source

Ewald Janssens

Top university

11 months ago

PhD scholarship: Surface studies on chiral nanoclusters KU Leuven in Belgium

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Chemistry

Funding

Available

Deadline

Expired

Country flag

Country

Belgium

University

KU Leuven

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Keywords

Chemistry
Materials Science
Nanotechnology
Catalysis
Spectroscopy
Surface Science
Optics
Chirality
Atomic Force Microscopy
Biosensor
Computational Modelling
Scanning Tunneling Microscopy
Nonlinear Optic
Physics
Harmonic Generation

About this position

This PhD scholarship at KU Leuven is part of the CHIRALNANOMAT Doctoral Network (MSCA – Horizon Europe), a multidisciplinary collaboration involving 7 laboratories and 6 companies across 7 European countries. The Quantum Solid-state Physics (QSP) research unit, within the Department of Physics and Astronomy, specializes in experimental research on solid-state systems, focusing on quantum phenomena at atomic and microscopic scales. The project merges physics, chemistry, and biosciences to advance the synthesis and characterization of chiral metal nanoclusters, with applications in catalysis and biosensing. The doctoral candidate will investigate the self-organization of chiral monolayer-protected metal nanoclusters on inert surfaces, examining how annealing conditions, cluster size, and ligand type affect organization.

The research includes nonlinear optical characterization to correlate chiral optical properties with structural organization. Training will cover surface preparation using the Langmuir-Blodgett technique, structural analysis via atomic force microscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy, electronic characterization with scanning tunneling spectroscopy, and nonlinear optical characterization, particularly second harmonic generation. A secondment will provide theoretical modeling experience.

The position offers a stimulating environment at KU Leuven, a leading European university, and includes short research stays at TU Vienna, the Italian National Research Council (CNR, Pisa), and Furukawa Institute of Technology (Budapest). The CHIRALNANOMAT network provides cross-cutting expertise and skills through seminars, workshops, and secondments, preparing candidates for careers in nanoscience and nanotechnology. Applicants must have a Master’s degree in a relevant field, strong academic performance, English fluency, and comply with the MSCA mobility rule.

The position is fully funded, with salary, social security, and mobility allowance. KU Leuven values diversity and inclusivity, offering support for accessibility and equal opportunity.

Funding details

Available

What's required

Applicants must hold a Master's degree in physics, chemistry, nanotechnology, or related fields. Knowledge of scanning tunneling microscopy, molecular networks, surface science, or optics is required. Strong motivation for research in nanomaterials, theoretical chemistry/physics, catalysis, biomedicine, and spectroscopy is expected. Excellent academic results and fluency in spoken and written English are required. Applicants must comply with the MSCA mobility rule: they may not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, study) in Belgium for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before recruitment. Teamwork, networking skills, creativity, persistence, and passion for research are valued.

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Professors

Professor at KU Leuven

University Name
Country flag

Belgium

Research Interests

Materials Chemistry

Inorganic Chemistry

Materials Science

Spectroscopy

Chemistry

Professor Dr. at KU Leuven

University Name
Country flag

Belgium

Research Interests

Chemistry

Physics

Optics

Chirality

Harmonic Generation