Open Positions
Currently open positions within NESPA
Currently open ESR/PhD and ER/postdoctoral positions:
General Opening Description
In the framework of the Marie Curie Research Training Network (RTN) on NanoEngineered Superconductors for Power Applications (NESPA) leading experts from 13 European universities, research centres and industrial companies offer 15 three-years Early Stage Researcher(ESR)/ PhD student positions and 6 Experienced Researcher(ER)/Postdoctoral positions in different research fields funded within the EU´s 6th framework programme. The NESPA programme coordinated by the IFW Dresden in Germany will focus on the research topic of the development of high temperature superconductor (HTS) materials and devices for power applications. This highly multidisciplinary task involves research tasks in chemistry, physics, materials science and electrical engineering. The activities within these fields will comprise materials preparation, characterization and analysis topics as well as design and numerical modelling issues.
The materials research topics involving aspects of chemistry and physics are focussed on the controlled nano-engineering of RE123 Coated Conductors, RE123 bulk material and MgB2 wires and tapes. There, enhancing flux pinning and thus improving the material performance in magnetic fields, the controlled incorporation of a high density of nano-scale defects into an undisturbed crystalline matrix is required. The electrical engineering issues under consideration will concentrate on reducing ac-losses in superconducting wires and tapes by innovative conductor designs. The industrial aspects are focused on up-scaling material preparation and industrial qualification of superconducting cables, motors, magnets and cryogenics involved to allow a successful introduction of HTS applications into the market.
The PhD and postdoctoral (PD) fellowships are well paid, including a basic living and mobility allowance (with deductions by national laws) and travel and career exploratory allowances according to the Marie Curie rules. The PhD candidates will perform their research training in a specific and challenging zone in one of the research fields of interest. The fellows will be trained in a variety of experimental techniques and theoretical aspects, accompanied by high-level lectures, seminars and courses in specific and multidisciplinary topics. Complementarily, the training of additional skills relevant to this multidisciplinary research area will be provided.
Requirements/Education:
We are looking for highly talented and motivated candidates with an outstanding knowledge in the respective fields of interest. Both autonomous and organized working style as well as good communication skills and the ability to collaborate closely with people from other disciplines and in an international environment will be required. Good English skills are mandatory. Candidates must hold an excellent university degree (master degree or diploma for PhD candidates to be qualified to aim for a doctoral degree; doctoral degree for postdoctoral candidates) in one of the research field of interest. Successful applicants must meet the requirements of the Marie-Curie fellowships (see RTN handbook: http://ec.europa.eu/research/fp6/mariecurie-actions/action/training_en.html). E.g., the fellows must be nationals of a state other than the country where they will perform their studies and they may not have carried out their main activities in that country for more than 12 months in the 3 years prior to the start of the fellowship.
The start date for PhD projects and postdoctoral positions within NESPA will be fixed by mutual agreement.
If you are interested please send your application including a CV and a short statement of research interest within NESPA, as well as a list of 3 referees, by e-mail or mail to the respective contact person. (Contact details are given with each job description.)