ESRF - PhD student at ILL: studying In situ neutron diffraction for green steel and functional metal oxides

At a glance

Job title: PhD student at ILL: studying In situ neutron diffraction for green steel and functional metal oxides
Ref.: NS26-ILL03
Contract type: Time-limited contract
Salary range: 33.3K€
Expected deadline of applications: 03/05/2026
Publication start on Front Office : Site internet: 02/03/2026
Contract duration: 3 years (1 year renewable 2 years)

Context & Job description

Thesis subject: Elucidation of reaction pathways for hydrogen reduction by in situ methods

You will join the diffraction group at the ILL, Grenoble, France, and work on the powder diffractometers D1B and D20. They are specialised for time-resolved in situ investigations on solids, their phase transitions and chemical reactions. You will develop gas-flow cells for the study of solid-gas reactions with in situ neutron diffraction and implement these on D1B and D20. Complementary in situ X-ray powder diffraction will be carried out at Leipzig University, Germany.

The aim of the PhD project is to understand reaction pathways of the reaction of metal oxides with hydrogen on an atomic level by using in situ techniques in order to deepen our knowledge on industrial processes (ore smelting) and to work out synthesis strategies for reduced transition metal oxides. Target compounds include oxides of chromium, iron, tungsten and the strongly correlated electron systems in SrFeO₃₋_𝛿, LaNiO₃ and SrRuO₃. In situ neutron diffraction will allow to extract structural details including oxygen defects and hydrogen content for all phases, including intermediates. This will allow to improve both industrial processes (e. g. green steel) and chemical lab-based syntheses for functional materials.

Further information may be obtained from: Dr. Thomas Hansen (tel.: +33 (0)4 76 20 70 44, email: hansen@ill.fr), from Dr. Ove Korjus (+33 (0) 4 57 42 81 56, email: korjus@ill.fr) and from Prof. Dr. Holger Kohlmann (+49 (0)341 97 36201, email: holger.kohlmann@uni-leipzig.de)

Expected profile

• A background in the synthesis of solids, crystallography and diffraction methods are essential, knowledge in programming would be an advantage.
• Manual skills and rigorous attention to detail are essential in this work environment.
• Degree allowing enrolment for a PhD (such as MSc, Master or equivalent) in chemistry or a closely related like physics, materials sciences, nanotechnology, etc. Candidates must satisfy the conditions for enrolment in a doctoral programme.

• Proficiency in English (A proof of upper-intermediate B2 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 call deadline .
• The candidate must not already be working towards or in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment, and must already hold a master’s degree at the call deadline.

Working conditions

The successful candidate will be enrolled in the doctoral school at Leipzig University (Germany) and based full-time at the ILL (Grenoble, France), other than 2-4 months of preparational work at Leipzig University (Germany). 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).