Studying nanostructures by means of neutron scattering is rare because of not sufficient sample mass. Many layered materials with promising application in spintronics, like Van der Waals layered ferrielectric CuInP₂S₆ or quasi-2D-Ising antiferromagnet FePS₃, is possible to grow only as millimetre sized single crystals. Such size is insufficient for inelastic neutron scattering, which could be employed to study quantum fluctuations, 2D magnetic interactions or magnetoelastic effects (like phonon softening). The only chance of measuring such compounds is to co-align hundreds of tiny crystals, which is technically difficult and time consuming.

Proposed doctoral study is going to tackle this technical limitation by use of a new robotic device ALSA – automatic Laue sample aligner, which is contructed as a part of MaMBA project. By the combination of robotics, artificial intelligence, computer vision and x-ray Laue diffraction, the device will be able to push the limits of what is currently possible to measure with neutrons on the field of spintronic and layered systems.

In addition to the device commisioning, doctoral student will prepare new promising layered compounds and measure them at neutron facilities.

What Awaits you here?

• You will work in the team of 5 young people, surrounded by high tech equipment of MGML research infrastructure.
• The results of your research will be made publicly available to enable collaboration and increase your visibility.
• You will work on Charles university - one of the oldest universities in the world.

What we expect?

• Master in condensed matter physics/material science.
• Experience with neutron scattering.
• To be able to work in a team as well as on its own.
• Ability to work well under pressure in a fast-developing environment.
• Be accountable for the quality of your work.

Advantages:

• Practice with crystal growth and layered structures physics.
• Interest in computer vision and automatization.
• Knowledge of Python.

What we offer to you

• 3 years Full-time position with flexible working hours and possibility of home office (starting January 2022).
• Work on long-term project in collaboration with excellent scientists.
• Modern offices in the centre of Prague, Czech Republic — the heart of Europe.