Postdoctoral Fellow in Scanning Probe Microscopy

Te Kura Matū | School of Physical and Chemical Sciences Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand - Full-time - 37.5 hours per week - Fixed term position (two years) - Kia hiwa rā, kia hiwa rā_ - He hiahia, he pūkenga nōu ki te mahi a te Postdoctoral Fellow? Nāia te pōwhiri nā Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha kia tono mai i te tūranga nei._ **Āu Mahi | What You Will Do** As part of the research project funded under the Marsden Scheme "Multiferroic solitons at room temperature: A new topological material system for low energy computation," we have an exciting opportunity for a Postdoctoral Fellow to join an interdisciplinary research team in the School of Physical and Chemical Sciences (SPCS). Working under the direct supervision of Dr. Daniel Sando, you will be an integral part of the research team: collecting and analysing data, disseminating research results, and providing technical and administrative support for the project. Other project members include Dr. Simon Granville (Victoria University of Wellington, NZ) and Dr. Vincent Garcia (Laboratoire Albert Fert, France). The growing demand for information and communication technology is leading to increasing energy consumption, raising concerns about sustainability. To address this challenge, innovative approaches that reduce power usage while enhancing performance are essential. Multiferroic materials, with their coexisting ferroelectric and magnetic properties, offer a promising platform for the development of next-generation computing technologies. This project explores the potential of topological defects (or "solitons") in multiferroic oxide thin films as a basis for new computing platforms. By virtue of their ultrahigh sensitivity to external stimuli like electric fields, solitons can offer rapid, energy-efficient computations. Our project aims to establish the conditions under which these multiferroic solitons are stable and will demonstrate operations such as creation/annihilation and moving under applied stimuli applied by scanning probe microscopy techniques. Ultimately, this research will pave the way for a new class of low-power, high-speed computational systems, opening exciting possibilities for the future of sustainable information technology. Specifically, you will work with a PhD student to: - Perform detailed scanning probe microscopy (atomic force microscopy, piezoresponse force microscopy, and/or scanning tunnelling microscopy, etc.) of epitaxial multiferroic thin films (including BiFeO3 and related materials) - Perform compositional, structural, electronic and/or magnetoelectric characterisation of multiferroic oxide films - Participate in neutron scattering and/or synchrotron experiments at overseas facilities - Use CAD design, clean room photolithography and other techniques to pattern simple micron scale device structures - Drive high-impact research outputs through presentations at international conferences and symposia, as well as publications in peer reviewed journals. **Mōu | Who You Are** We are looking for someone with excellent interpersonal, intercultural, research, and organizational skills. In addition, we are interested in someone who is creative, self-motivated, and has a strong drive to push boundaries and deliver impactful results. To be successful in this role you will have exceptional communication in written and verbal English, strong quantitative and data analysis skills, the ability to work creatively and independently, and a strong research background. You will have a PhD in Physics, Materials Science or closely related field, and have the following skills: - Demonstrated academic ability in an area directly relevant to the research project - Expertise in scanning probe microscopy and/or ferroelectrics/multiferroics (particularly thin films) is essential - Strong scientific writing skills with a track record of quality first-author publications in high-impact journals - Strong interpersonal skills, and ability to work well in a multidisciplinary and multicultural team - Demonstrated ability to complete tasks and meet milestones to ensure project success Highly desirable competencies include: - Experience with oxide thin film fabrication, micro-nano device fabrication and/or ultrafast measurements - Experience in measurements at large-scale facilities (neutron scattering or synchrotron experiments) - Experience in other characterisation techniques including magnetometry, transport, optical measurements, etc. would be beneficial. **Mahi Ngātahi | Who You Will Work With** The Te Kura Matū School of Physical and Chemical Sciences is a thriving community with a legacy spanning 150 years of academic excellence. Amongst the largest Schools within the University, we are driven by our collective commitment to search for innovative solutions that address the problems and challenges both within New Zealand and the World. Our School boasts a vibrant tapestry of individuals, encompassing academic,