An opportunity is offered for a doctoral student to perform forefront multidisciplinary research combining materials science, photonics and optics. The position in the Molecular Materials group (Dr. Robin Ras, Prof. Olli Ikkala) is within the PHORMAT project of the Academy of Finland, in close collaboration with the Optics and Photonics group (Prof. Matti Kaivola, Aalto Univ.), Nonlinear Optics group (Prof. Martti Kauranen, Tampere Univ. Tech.) and Applied Optics group (Dr. Juha Toivonen, Tampere Univ. Tech.). The position is immediately available. The salary is according to the university salary scheme.

Azo-based chromophores can bend at the molecular scale when irradiated with light, known as trans-cis-trans photoisomerization. Photoisomerization leads to a variety of properties and applications, including photo-induced anisotropy, macroscopic mass transport and surface relief gratings.

The doctoral student will work on azo-containing polymer materials, the tunability of the bond between azo chromophore and polymer using covalent or non-covalent interactions, the cis-trans induced structuring of azo-containing polymer from the molecular scale to the micronscale using lasers and optical setups, and their characterisation using state-of-the-art electron microscopes, atomic force microscopes and optical methods.

We accept applications from students holding a Master's degree in physics, chemistry or related field. The multidisciplinary research of this project will certainly open career opportunities in academy and industry after the student has obtained the doctoral degree, as multidisciplinarity is where materials science is heading to.

The team in which the student will operate, aims to publish in the highest level scientific journals.


For more information, please contact:

Dr. Robin Ras
Molecular Materials, Department of Applied Physics, Aalto University
Puumiehenkuja 2, FIN-02150 Espoo.
Email robin.ras@tkk.fi

http://tfy.tkk.fi/molmat/

tel 050 432 6633

Please apply by email, and include an application