Selection Procedures

09/26/2023
Nuclear Physics Institute of the CAS announces an open competition in accordance with the Act No. 283/1992 Coll. on the Czech Academy of Sciences, and the Statutes of the Czech Academy of Sciences for a position Postdoctoral Fellow in the MRNIB Group in the Laboratory of Nanomaterials.

Job description:

We announce that a new postdoctoral position is open to complement the Laboratory of Nanomaterials (Group of Materials Research with Neutron and Ion Beams - MRNIB) dedicated to the study of new materials with neutron and ion beams. The main projects on which the group is currently working include the synthesis of binary and ternary composites (MAX phases and MXenes), thin layers of hybrid materials (with fullerenes and transition metals), thin all-solid-state lithium ion batteries (ASSLIB), heterogeneous sensors of hazardous gases, and biosensors based on etched ion tracks in thin polymers. The group is also involved in the fundamental study of exotic nuclear reactions, and diffusion, and concentration/depth diagnostics of elements in complex material systems. Finally, the group is also dedicated to development of new deposition, irradiation and nuclear analytical methods.

We will require that the newly admitted member fully participates in all group activities and demonstrates appropriate ability, erudition and independence in solving the tasks set in the group. The group is involved in grant projects, so it is assumed that the new member will also be assigned important tasks in any new grants.

Laboratory of the group:

The laboratory of the MRNIB group is equipped with low-energy ion facilities (Duoplasmatron and LEIF), which currently provide ion beams with an energy of up to 35 keV, and which are used for material deposition (using an ion sputtering technique) and its controlled modification (by high-frequency ion beam bombardment). The deposition of nanostructures (epitaxial films and nanocrystals) is carried out on the new Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) system, the synthesis of hybrid composites on an upgraded Univex device. Analysis of the sample morphology is performed on an atomic force microscope (AFM) equipped with a vacuum kit, external magnets and annealing cells. In cooperation with the Laboratory of Tandetron, an ion beam analysis (IBA mathods, concentration and depth profiling of elements) of the samples and their modification (by implantation or irradiation) using MeV-energy ions can be carried out. The group also has at its disposal several analytical methods (NDP, PGAA, neutron radiography) on a thermal neutron beam filtered by a neutron-guide installed on a horizontal channel of the LVR15 reactor (operated by the CV Rez). Vacuum furnaces, electrochemical stations, evaporators, etc., are additional auxiliary equipment used to perform treatments and further examination of the samples.

Institute:

Nuclear Physics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, p. r. i., (NPI). NPI is one of 54 public research institutions of the Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS). With its approximately 260 employees (including about 100 scientists (Ph.D.) and about 40 Ph.D. students) it is the largest Czech institution in the field of nuclear physics. The NPI has long-standing experience and achieves internationally recognised results in research oriented towards the environment, health and energy security, in environmental science, medicine, radiopharmacy, materials research, which are based on instrumental and technological competences in accelerator technology and nuclear analytical methods. The activities of the NPI are strongly oriented towards participation in current and large international collaborations. The collaboration with ALICE@CERN , STAR@BNL and HADES/CBM@GSI/FAIR is focused on the study of hot and dense nuclear matter produced by heavy ion collisions. The KATRIN project focuses on increasing the sensitivity of neutrino mass determination. ESS is a pan-European spallation neutron source under construction. In GANIL/SPIRAL2, the NPI groups are involved in studies of nuclei far from the stability line and deal with the preparation of equipment for oriented research with neutrons. Czech involvement in international cooperation is supported by the role of the NPI as a recipient of the large research infrastructures (RI) ESS-Scandinavia-CZ, FAIR-CZ and SPIRAL2-CZ and RI partner BNL-CZ and CERN-CZ included in the Roadmap of large infrastructures for research, experimental development and innovation of the Czech Republic 2016 – 2022 (RLIR). Newly, NPI is involved in the consortium of the most important European ion, neutron and electron beam centers in Europe for the circular economy with a strong emphasis on usable application outputs and cooperation with industrial partners (HORIZON ReMade ARI 101058414). CANAM - The Center for Accelerators and Nuclear Analytical Methods, which connects the large experimental facilities of the NPI in a synergistic network, is a center for researching tasks in a wide range of scientific fields using beams of accelerated ions on cyclotron accelerators U-120M and TR-24, electrostatic accelerators Tandetron 4130 MC and the MILEA accelerator mass spectrometer. Also included are neutron beams - devices installed on the neutron channels of the LVR-15 research reactor and fast neutrons from production targets on cyclotrons. The MT25 microtron, a cyclic photon beam electron accelerator, is also in operation.

Job requirements:

Academic record. Ph.D. degree in a field related to the proposed position.
High-quality results published in leading scientific journals.
Good experience with experimental methods related to the fields of materials science, nuclear physics or solid-state physics.
High motivation to work in the MRNIB group, especially in the field of research, where the applicant can contribute with experience and qualifications.
Excellent knowledge in English (verbal and written). If English is not the first language, an English certificate may be required.
Necessary: good communication and organization skills, and good ability to work in a team.
Advantage: experience in obtaining a research support from national and international funding bodies or industry.

Conditions of employment:

A meaningful work in a dynamic and ambitious research institute, in an interdisciplinary environment and within an international network.
Reduced working hours (36 hours/week at 100% full-time).
Five weeks of vacation + one additional week of vacation.
Allowance for catering - meal vouchers + canteen directly on the premises of the institute.
Contribution from the cultural and social needs fund (recreation, camps, theatre, glasses, etc.).
Education, language courses.
Friendly and pleasant team.
Possibility to park in a closed and guarded area.
Possibility to apply for an apartment of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic.
Experienced colleagues who will help with learning in the beginning.

Information and application

Candidates are encouraged to contact us before they apply to get more information about the position.
Please contact Dr. Jiří Vacík (vacik@ujf.cas.cz).

How to apply:

If you are interested in the postdoc position in the MRNIB group of the NPI and you would like to apply, we invite you to submit a complete application by using the 'apply now'-button on this page.

Your application must contain the following documents:

A cover letter explaining your motivation and suitability for the position.
A detailed CV including a full list of publications and achievements. Please also select 5 publications of specific importance and briefly describe their impact.
A research statement of 2-3 pages.
Contact details of three referees. The referees will not be contacted unless you are shortlisted and invited for an interview.

Application deadline: 11/30/2023