(Mainz University, Germany)

In the group of apl. Prof. Martin Jourdan, which is associated to the Kläui-lab (www.klaeui-lab.de) at the Institute of Physics, Mainz University (Germany), a Ph.D. position is available. The Kläui-lab is a large international group with English as the working language. The lab boasts advanced fabrication techniques (full clean room with lithography and pattern transfer techniques), a range of materials deposition tools (molecular beam epitaxy, sputtering, pulsed laser deposition, etc.) and a number of sophisticated characterization techniques. Furthermore, magnetotransport measurements are possible in a temperature range between 10 mK and 450K in magnetic fields up to 15 T.

In Antiferromagnetic Spintronics, the staggered magnetization, i.e. the Néel vector that is describing the spin structure, can be used to encode information. Its orientation is robust against external magnetic fields, and thus requires novel means for its manipulation such as current induced Néel spin-orbit torques. This project covers fundamental investigations of the electronic properties of metallic antiferromagnets as well as electrical studies aiming at efficient manipulation and read-out of the Néel vector for future devices.

We are looking for an experimentally skilled student, who will learn and work with a broad range of experimental techniques from thin film deposition (sputtering) and characterization (x-ray diffraction, scanning probe microscopy) to magnetotransport measurements and synchrotron based methods such as XMLD-PEEM and ARPES.

Potential applicants need to hold a Master in Physics, ideally with a focus on solid state physics.

This project is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) in the framework of the collaborative research unit Spin+X.  The Ph.D. candidate will be employed for 3 years (elongation possible) with a salary corresponding after deductions (social/ health insurance and taxes) to approx. 1880 EUR/month.

Please submit your application to Martin Jourdan (jourdan[at]uni-mainz.de).