M-2352 Phd Candidate Interfacial Adhesion On

Description
**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. MRT’s activities hinge on four thematic pillars: nanomaterials and nanotechnology, scientific instrumentation and process technology, structural composites, and functional polymers.

The department also includes four high-tech platforms, focusing on composites, prototyping, characterization and testing. These platforms serve both LIST research staff, and other stakeholders in Luxembourg.

**Responsibilities**:
**How will you contribute?**:
This position is developed in the frame of the CORE-FNR funded project BioInter (Bio-inspired design of fibre interfaces with intermittent weak and strong areas for obtaining tough composites), in partnership with KU Leuven (Belgium).

Inspired by nature’s strategies to increase toughness, BioInter proposes the study and design of a novel approach for the development of tough composites creating micromechanisms for energy dissipation at the interface of individual fibres while maintaining good load transfer. Intermittent interfaces are important as a novel technology able to achieve simultaneously high stiffness, strength, and toughness in composites. BioInter proposes using for the first time a combination of two novel technologies microplasma and precursor layer formation of molten polymers. The design of the intermittent areas will be assisted by computer modelling combining nano
- and microscale techniques in collaboration with our partners at KUL. We have recently developed a unique in-house build atmospheric pressure plasma chemical vapor deposition plasma torch which can work at the microscale for precise deposition and activation, and a new technology to deposit a nano
- or micropolymer layer on the treated surface based on the precursor layer formation of liquids during wetting. In summary, this project will shed light in the toughening mechanism of intermittent interfaces with the aim of controlling design parameters to enhance composite toughness without compromising overall material strength.

Must Have Requirements
You hold a master’s degree in Materials Science or Mechanical Engineering **with proven theoretical and practical skills in composite mechanics, interface engineering, processing, and polymer chemistry**, and wish to carry out impactful, high quality experimental research in collaboration with a diverse group of colleagues.

We offer
**Your LIST benefits**:
An organization with a passion for impact and strong RDI partnerships in Luxembourg and Europe that works on responsible and independent research projects;
Sustainable by design, empowering our belief that we play an essential role in paving the way to a green society;
Innovative infrastructures and exceptional labs occupying more than 5,000 square meters, including innovations such as our Viswall, high-scale incubators and top of the range 3D/4D printings that are part of our toolkit for excelling in all we do;
Multicultural and international work environment with more than 45 nationalities represented in our workforce;
Diverse and inclusive work environment empowering our people to fulfil their personal and professional ambitions;
Gender-friendly environment with multiple actions to attract, develop and retain women in science;
32 days paid annual leave, 11 public holidays, flexible working hours, 13-month salary, statutory health insurance and access to lunch vouchers;
Personalized learning program to foster our staff’s soft and technical skills;
An environment encouraging curiosity, innovation and entrepreneurship in all areas.
- 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), first author-publications in Q1 journals is highly desirable and then will be considered as an important asset;
- Contact details of 2 references

**Application procedure and conditions**:

- The main criteria for selection will be the correspondence of the existing skills and expertise of the applicant with the requirements mentioned above;

**PhD additional conditions**:

- Co-supervision: Dr. David Ruch (Fiber Composites & Interfaces Group) and Dr. Roberto Quintana (