SD-26006 PHD STUDENT IN METAL DECORATED METAL OXIDE NANOSTRUCTURES FOR ENHANCED PLASMONIC LIGHT HARVESTING

The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) is a Research and Technology Organization (RTO) active in the fields of materials, environment and IT. By transforming scientific knowledge into technologies, smart data and tools, LIST empowers citizens in their choices, public authorities in their decisions and businesses in their strategies.

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Your LIST benefits

• An organization with a passion for impact and strong RDI partnerships in Luxembourg and Europe that works on responsible and independent research projects
• Sustainable by design, empowering our belief that we play an essential role in paving the way to a green society
• Innovative infrastructures and exceptional labs occupying more than 5,000 square metres, including innovations in all that we do
• An environment encouraging curiosity, innovation and entrepreneurship in all areas
• Personalized learning programme to foster our staff’s soft and technical skills
• Multicultural and international work environment with more than 50 nationalities represented in our workforce
• Diverse and inclusive work environment empowering our people to fulfil their personal and professional ambitions
• Gender-friendly environment with multiple actions to attract, develop and retain women in science
• 32 days’ paid annual leave, 11 public holidays, 13-month salary, statutory health insurance
• Flexible working hours, home working policy and access to Digital lunch vouchers

Fixed term contract | Belvaux | 14+22(+12) months

Are you passionate about research? So are we! Come and join us

How will you contribute?

Are you passionate about nanomaterials, thin films, and light–matter interactions? Do you want to explore how we can design materials that control light at the nanoscale?

This PhD thesis offers a unique opportunity to work on plasmonic metal oxide nanostructures — materials that combine metal nanoparticles (Au) with semiconducting oxides (ZnO, CuO) to boost optical absorption and opto-electronic performance.

The project is part of a collaborative research program between LIST and the Institut de Physique et Chimie des Matériaux de Strasbourg (IPCMS, France), bringing together expertise in atomic layer deposition, optical characterization, and physical modelling.

Research objectives

The main goal of the PhD is to understand and control how localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPR) in gold nanoparticles affect the optical and opto-electronic behaviour of complex 3D nanostructures.

You will address two key scientific challenges:

1. Tailoring nanoparticle morphology — achieving precise control over Au nanoparticle growth via thermal and plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (ALD).

2. Exploring light–matter interactions — studying how Au-decorated ZnO and CuO nanostructures absorb and convert light, using advanced optical and opto-electronic characterization techniques.

Your main tasks will be to:

• Perform ALD growth of Au nanoparticles on flat and nanostructured metal oxides.
• Characterize the optical properties using UV–VIS–NIR spectroscopy and interpreting the results in collaboration with the modelling team.
• Investigate the opto-electronic response of fabricated devices using LIST’s dedicated measurement platforms.
• Work closely with researchers and engineers specialized in microfabrication, materials analysis, and ALD process development.
• Participate in international conferences and publishing your findings in peer-reviewed journals.

Research environment

• You will join the Smart Materials Unit at LIST — a multidisciplinary and international environment equipped with state-of-the-art deposition, cleanroom, and characterization facilities.
• You will collaborate closely with a PhD student at IPCMS (Strasbourg) focusing on the local-field optical properties of the same materials. Several research visits to IPCMS will be organized during your PhD for joint experiments and discussions.

Is Your profile described below? Are you our future colleague? Apply now!

Education and skills

We are looking for a motivated and creative candidate who

• Holds a Master’s degree in Physics, Materials Science, or a related field (solid-state physics, nanoscience, physical chemistry).
• Has a strong interest in thin film deposition, nanostructures, and optical/electronic characterization.
• Enjoys experimental research and teamwork in an international setting.
• Is motivated to pursue independent, high-level scientific work leading to impactful publications

Language skills

• Fluency in English, both oral and written.
• Other relevant languages, in particular French, are an asset.

What we offer with this specific position

• A fully funded 3-year PhD position (with possible extension).
• Access to cutting-edge facilities for nanomaterials synthesis and characterization.
• A collaborative and supportive research environment with co-supervision from LIST and IPCMS.
• Enrolment in the Doctoral Program in Physics and Materials Science (DPPM) at the University of Luxembourg, including advanced training courses and soft-skill workshops.
• Opportunities to present your work at international conferences and build a strong scientific network.