ESRF - PhD student at ILL: Experimental search and numerical investigation of magnetic hopfions

At a glance

Job title: PhD student at ILL: Experimental search and numerical investigation of magnetic hopfions
Ref.: NS25-ILL07
Contract type: Time-limited contract
Salary range: 32.7K€
Deadline for applications: 02/05/2025
Expected deadline of applications: 02/05/2025
Publication start on Front Office : Site internet: 03/03/2025
Contract duration: 3 years (1 year renewable 2 years)

Context & Job description

The successful candidate will join D33’s team at the ILL, Grenoble, France. D33 is a neutron small angle scattering (SANS) instrument with polarisation and polarisation analysis options. It is used to study nanoscale magnetism, superconductivity and soft matter. It is particularly suited to the investigation of nanometre scale magnetic objects.

Magnetic hopfions are three-dimensional localized magnetic topological solitons, which can exist in the bulk of magnetic materials. Hopfions may be seen as the three-dimensional analogue to the magnetic skyrmion. They are promising building blocks for novel, brain-mimicking computing architectures, which have so far been confined to two-dimensional structures. The recent experimental realisation of magnetic hopfions opens the door for such applications in three dimensions. Based on our previous theoretical work, where we have calculated the magnetic small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) cross section of hopfions, we will embark on the experimental search for hopfions in the SANS observables. In this PhD project, you will learn about neutron scattering and especially SANS. You will establish SANS as a quantitative method to investigate hopfions and establish their characteristics by carrying out experiments on hopfion containing crystals. You will also acquire the capacity to carry out numerical micromagnetic computations, which will complement and guide the neutron results.

Further information may be obtained from: Dr. Nina-Juliane Steinke (tel.: +33 (0)4 76 20 7638, email: steinkenj@ill.fr) and from Prof. Andreas Michels (+352 466644 6983, email: andreas.michels@uni.lu).

Expected profile

- Degree allowing enrolment for a PhD (such as MSc, MPhil, Master 2 de Recherche, Laurea or equivalent) in physics or a closely related topic. Degrees must have been granted by European universities or already recognised as equivalent.

- A background in experimentation is desirable, and knowledge of scattering techniques, magnetism, or numerical micromagnetic simulations as well as programming would be an advantage.

- Manual skills, rigorous attention to detail, and excellent communication skills in English (writing and speaking) are essential in this work environment.

- Proficiency in English (A proof of upper-intermediate level must be included in the application. Applicants originating from native-English-speaking countries can apply without the need for proof of level. An official degree conducted in English will be also accepted as a proof). If the applicant is unable to provide proof, an English test (free of charge) will be requested.

- Compliance with the Marie Sklodowska-Curie mobility rule: candidates may not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the host institute’s country for more than twelve months in the three years immediately before the application deadline.

- All researchers recruited must be doctoral candidates, i.e. not already working towards or in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment.

- Candidates must satisfy the conditions for enrolment in a doctoral programme.

Working conditions

The successful candidate will be enrolled in the doctoral school at the University of Luxembourg (Luxembourg) and based full-time at the ILL (Grenoble, France), other than secondments to the University of Luxembourg totalling at least two months. Furthermore, a varied pedagogical training programme will be offered to the successful candidate throughout the 3-year PhD project.

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Company description

NEXTSTEP will train 36 young and enthusiastic researchers to exploit the unique and transversal capabilities of analytical research infrastructures in tackling the challenges associated with sustainable development and industrial competitiveness in the areas of “Health”, “Digital, Industry & Space”, “Climate, Energy and Mobility” and “Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment”, which are at the heart of Horizon Europe. Host laboratories: ESRF and ILL (France), FZJ (Germany), AREA (Italy), NTNU (Norway).