PhD: Ultrafast spectroscopy on metal-organic frameworks

Department/faculty: Applied Sciences

Level: Master degree
Working hours: 38 hours per week
Contract: 4 years
Salary: €2062 to €2638

Applied Sciences

The Faculty of Applied Sciences is the largest faculty of TU Delft, with around 550 scientists, a support staff of 250 and 1,800 students. The faculty conducts fundamental, application-oriented research and offers scientific education at the bachelor, master and doctoral levels. The faculty is active in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Applied Physics.

The mission of the Department of Chemical Engineering (ChemE) is to generate knowledge and educate people in the area of nano-chemical engineering to improve the quality of life for a sustainable society, focusing on energy, water, health and the environment.

The Opto-Electronic Materials section is part of the Chemical Engineering Department of the Faculty of Applied Sciences. Our key interest is studying the nature and dynamics of short-lived, intermediate excited states (excitons) and charge carriers within complex materials such as functional polymers, self-assembling molecular aggregates, inorganic nanoparticles, inorganic/organic composites and DNA.

Job description

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are hybrid, crystalline materials consisting of inorganic and organic building blocks. MOFs are of interest for application in catalysis, storage, separation, sensing and opto-electronic devices such as MOF-based light-emitting diodes (MOF-LEDs). The current project is a collaboration between Delft University of Technology and Philips Research.
Recent MOF research at TU Delft has led to the development of an electroluminescent MOF-based device that can be cast in flexible sheets with light emission over a large surface area. The source of the phenomenon is not clear.
In this research project, two researchers will closely collaborate with each other and the industrial partner to (1) gain a fundamental understanding of the observed electroluminescent behaviour and (2) further develop the composite material from a synthetic, characterisation and device manufacturing point of view.
For topic (1) we seek a candidate to study the nature and dynamics of photoexcited states and charge carriers with femtosecond and nanosecond pump-probe laser techniques, including microwave and terahertz conductivity measurements. In addition, experiments will be performed using ultrashort, high-energy electron pulses from an accelerator. These are unique combinations of techniques that are present at Delft University of Technology. The aim is to elucidate the mechanism of electricity-to-light conversion in new, MOF-based composites and to optimise the performance of LEDs.

Requirements

Are you an enthusiastic researcher with a relevant MSc degree in Physics, Chemistry or Chemical Engineering? Then we might be looking for you! We are looking for a flexible teamplayer capable of communicating with people in the various disciplines involved in this challenging project. You have a pro-active, independent, problem-solving and result-oriented work attitude. You will be able to work in a team as well as independently. You will publish results in peer-reviewed scientific journals, participate in international conferences and write a PhD thesis.

Conditions of employment

TU Delft offers an attractive benefits package, including a flexible work week, free high-speed Internet access from home (with a contract of two years or longer), and the option of assembling a customised compensation and benefits package. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment; an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor; and a Doctoral Education Programme aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills. Please visit www.phd.tudelft.nl for more information]]]

Information and application

For more information about this position, please contact Prof. L.D.A. Siebbeles, phone: +31 (0)15-2781800, e-mail: L.D.A.Siebbeles@tudelft.nl. To apply, please e-mail a detailed CV, list of courses taken, marks obtained, and name(s) of reference(s) or letter(s) of recommendation along with a letter of application by 10 September 2013 to Prof. Siebbeles, L.D.A.Siebbeles@tudelft.nl.
When applying for this position, please refer to vacancy number TNWCE13-022.