ESRF - PhD thesis student at ILL: studying Polymerization induced self-assembly by neutron scattering

At a glance

Job title: PhD thesis student at ILL: studying Polymerization induced self-assembly by neutron scattering
Ref.: NS26-ILL05
Contract type: Time-limited contract
Working time: Full-time job
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: Time-resolved Small Angle Neutron Scattering to understand kinetics of morphological transitions in Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly

You will join the LSS group at the ILL (Grenoble, France), and more precisely the small angle neutron scattering (SANS) team. Two out of the four SANS instruments will be mainly used. D11 is designed for the study of large scale structures in soft matter systems, chemistry, biology, solid state physics and materials science. D11 is specialised to access lowest q (VSANS) and therefore very large length scales in real space. D22 was recently equipped with a second detector bank and is ideally suited for kinetic experiments due to its large dynamic range.

The aim of this project is to use Time Resolved Small Angle Neutron Scattering (TR-SANS) to understand the role of reorganization processes in the morphological transitions observed during PISA (Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly). PISA refers to the simultaneous synthesis and self-assembly of amphiphilic AB diblock copolymers by polymerizing a hydrophobic B block from a hydrophilic A block in water, a selective solvent for A. Conventional strategies for preparation of self-assembled polymer nanostructures involve synthesis of a diblock copolymer in a non-selective organic solvent followed by purification and assembly in water at low concentrations (1 wt%) using a co-solvent. On the contrary, PISA leads to self-assembled nanostructures at high solid contents (10-40 wt%), in one-pot, without organic solvents, making it an environmentally-friendly process. Various nanostructures, mainly spheres, worms, vesicles, can be obtained that are relevant for industrial applications in material and health science. However, the role of the reorganization of the nanostructures (unimer exchange, fusion/fission) during PISA on their morphologies has hardly been studied. This project will address this issue by using TR-SANS to measure the kinetics of these reorganizations using AB diblock coploymers directly prepared by PISA, a pre-requisite for further industrial development of this sustainable process.

Further information may be obtained from: Dr. Olivier Colombani (email: olivier.colombani@univ-lemans.fr), from Dr. Ralf Schweins (email: schweins@ill.eu).

Expected profile

• A degree allowing enrolment for a PhD (such as MSc, Master 2 de Recherche, Laurea or equivalent) in chemistry or a closely related field like materials sciences, polymer sciences, supramolecular chemistry or nanotechnology for example is required. Degrees must have been granted by European universities or already recognised as equivalent.
• Experimental skills, rigor, communication skills, curiosity are demanded.
• A background in polymer chemistry and/or physical-chemistry is required. Knowledge of scattering techniques, polymer self-assembly in solution and/or polymerization in dispersed medium would be an advantage but is not a pre-requisite.
• You will conduct polymer synthesis and characterization in dispersed medium and in solution, handle complex instruments, perform detailed data refinement and analysis with physical models. Interest in programming is also a plus.
• 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 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, and must already hold a master’s degree at the call deadline.
• Candidates must satisfy the conditions for enrolment in a doctoral programme.

Working conditions

The successful candidate will be enrolled in the doctoral school at Le Mans Université (Le Mans, France) and based full-time at the ILL (Grenoble, France), with approximately six months of secondment to Institut des Molécules et Matériaux du Mans (Le Mans Université, Le Mans, France), 2 weeks at Institut Parisien de Chimie Moléculaire (Sorbonne Université, Paris, France) and 2 weeks at Forschungszentrum Jülich (Jülich, Germany). Additional visits may be made to Le Mans Université when needed. 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).