This Post-Doctoral position is part of a joint initiative between the Laboratory of Nanotechnology and Instrumentation (LNIO) at the University of Technology of Troyes (UTT) and the School of Mathematics and Physical Sciences in the University of Hull aimed at developing flexible plasmonic devices. The is a FULL TIME 1-year position and is JOINTLY PROVIDED by the Labex (Laboratory of Excellence) ACTION (http://www.labex-action.fr/en) and the University of Hull. More information is available from Thomas Maurer (thomas.maurer@utt.fr), Jean-Sébastien Bouillard (j.bouillard@hull.ac.uk) or Ali Adawi (a.adawi@hull.ac.uk).
The project aims to break through frontiers in nanoscience between mechanics and plasmonics by developing the emerging research field of plasmomechanics. The main idea consists in investigating plasmonic coupling phenomena in nanostructured materials subjected to mechanical stress. Nanogauges in the form of polymer nanocomposite architectures (plasmonic nanoparticles self-organized into polymer matrices and sub-wavelength plasmonic surface gratings) will be produced using integrative synthesis and nano-texturization routes such as nanoimprint lithography. The fabricated structures will be fully characterised at the nanoscale level, tested under tensile load in-situ using a wide range of techniques available in both Institutions and compared with finite elements simulations.
The applicant will have the opportunity to investigate fundamental questions about nano-optics (plasmonic coupling) and mechanics (development of optical tools to characterize mechanical properties at sub-micrometer scales, nanoparticle deformation…) and will also need to meet the challenges of developing a new optical strain sensor generation. The recruited researcher will benefit from the facilities provided by the Nanomat’ technological plat-form at the UTT and of the G. W. Gray Centre for Advanced Materials, including nano-imprint lithography, at the University of Hull.
Closing Date: 16 Jul 2017
Category: Academic
