Tuning the electronic structure of Tungsten Oxide Thin Films by Combinatorial Deposition: Impact of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Defects on Electrochemical Properties

We are offering a fully funded PhD position within the DETOX project, a collaborative research project involving CEA-TECH, CEA-INSTN, the Bordeaux Institute of Condensed Matter Chemistry (ICMCB), and FCSEL-LaRFIS at Polytechnique Montréal.

The DETOX project is dedicated to accelerated materials discovery, with a particular emphasis on electrochemical materials for electrochromic and photoelectrocatalytic applications. These two functionalities share a common redox origin: electrochromic materials reversibly modulate their optical properties under an applied voltage, while photoelectrocatalytic materials promote hydrogen production through solar-driven water splitting. Hence, understanding and controlling the relationship between defects, electronic structure, and electrochemical performance is a key scientific challenge.

The PhD project will focus on the synthesis of tungsten oxide (WO₃)-based thin films using combinatorial magnetron sputtering. Tuning deposition parameters—including target composition, working pressure, and reactive atmosphere—the candidate will investigate how intrinsic and extrinsic defects influence the structural, morphological, electronic, and electrochemical properties of the deposited materials.

Combinatorial thin-film deposition provides a powerful high-throughput approach for rapid exploration of complex materials parameter spaces. Coupled with artificial intelligence and machine learning tools for data analysis and materials prediction, this strategy offers a significant acceleration in the discovery and optimization of functional materials.

The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary consortium having complementary expertise in thin-film deposition, electrochemistry, materials characterization, and data-driven materials science. Throughout the project, the student will work closely with researchers from the four partner institutions, benefiting from their active supervision and scientific support.

The PhD will be carried out within the DIADEM Priority Research Programme and Equipment (PEPR), a national initiative coordinated by CNRS and CEA which aims to accelerate the discovery of innovative materials through artificial intelligence.

The research will be held primarily in Bordeaux, France at two partners laboratories:

• CEA Tech Materials Screening Platform (PRTT NouvelleAquitaine)
• Bordeaux Institute of Condensed Matter Chemistry (ICMCB)

The project will also include regular research visits to CEA-INSTN in Saclay and an international research stay of 9 to 12 months at Polytechnique Montréal (Canada), providing the candidate a valuable international research experience.

CEATECH : The Materials Screening & Battery Platform aims to accelerate the identification of innovative new materials—particularly for future generations of all-solid-state batteries and, more broadly, for energy applications—using a comprehensive high-throughput thin-film screening approach that integrates combinatorial synthesis with the automated characterization of functional properties.

ICMCB : The Institute of Condensed Matter Chemistry of Bordeaux (ICMCB) is a joint research unit (UMR5026) involving the CNRS, the University of Bordeaux, and Bordeaux INP. Drawing on its scientific expertise in solid-state chemistry, materials science, and chemistry & processes, the ICMCB focuses on developing new concepts across the materials value chain—specifically for the synthesis, shaping, and sustainable recycling of emerging materials—with applications in energy, environment and health, and electronics and photonics. More recently, the ICMCB has entered the era of data science and AI. It comprises 250 staff members organized into seven research groups and around twenty shared scientific and technical support services.

Working place: CEA Tech Nouvelle-Aquitaine (Pessac), ICMCB (Pessac) and Montréal CANADA (up to 12 months, travel and accommodation expenses are covered by the project). Some travel to CEA-INSTN in Saclay will be scheduled in the project.

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a multidisciplinary background. Applicants should ideally hold an Engineering degree or a Master's degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Electrochemistry, Physics or a closely related field.

An interest in data science, artificial intelligence, or machine learning applied to materials science research will be highly appreciated, although prior expertise is not required.