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

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.

You’d like to contribute as a researcher? Join our Materials Research and Technology department

Through its research into advanced materials and processes, the “Materials Research and Technology” (MRT) department, with its 200 researchers and engineers, contributes to the emergence of enabling technologies that underpin the innovation processes of local and international industry.

How will you contribute?

Many novel vitrimers have been reported of late, with the impressive range of properties thus realized providing ample evidence of the pathway to sustainability promised by these materials. Vitrimer behavior is neither simple nor easily predictable, however, and the fundamental understanding needed for their design is lacking. To address this, atomistic & coarse-grained simulations of bond-exchange processes and the elastic response in vitrimers will be carried out as a function of the catalytic centers present. Temperature-dependent activation energies and bond exchange kinetics (Arrhenius relations) will be explored. Moreover, the segmental mobility and elastic moduli of vitrimers will be computed and compared with experimental data. In generating this understanding, the successful candidate will make a strong and impactful contribution through the microscale modeling of such materials.

The candidate will apply computer simulation techniques (molecular dynamics, Monte Carlo, etc), polymer physics principles and statistical methods to model the behavior of such materials. Furthermore, the candidate will have access to HPC clusters in LIST and University of Luxembourg and will be involved in the generation and interpretation of complementary experimental data

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

You hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in Physics, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or Materials Science, have a very good knowledge in at least one programming language (e.g. python, Matlab, C++).

Experience in molecular dynamics (or Monte Carlo) / the LAMMPS (or GROMACS) software package is considered a plus. You enjoy learning new things, using your creativity to solve problems, and taking advantage of opportunities to build and develop further your computational and theoretical skills. You’re used to communicating effectively in English, both in writing and orally.

Apply online

Your application must include:

• A motivation letter oriented towards the position and detailing your experience;
• A scientific CV with contact details;
• List of publications and / or patents (if applicable);
• Contact details of 2 references.

PhD additional conditions:

• PhD enrollment: University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg

Please note that University fees are the responsibility of the student.