Postdoctoral position in Ceramics Science: Mechanical properties of FAST sintered oxide ceramics-Germany

Postdoctoral position in Ceramics Science: Mechanical properties of FAST sintered oxide ceramics

Description : A position is available at the Materials Science Department of the Technische Universität Darmstadt (Germany). The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work in a young research team focusing on the development of new ceramic processes in a dynamic and international environment. Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) or FAST (Field Assisted Sintering Technique) is a relatively new technique which enables rapid densification under direct current heating conditions and mechanical pressure. In order to understand the mechanisms involved a direct comparison with hot pressing was done in our group. Densification mechanisms were identified for electrically insulating and conductive oxide powders. The present project aims at optimizing the processing of nanocrystalline oxides by evaluating the mechanical properties of FAST specimens as a function of grain size (hardness, fracture strength and toughness, as well as residual stresses due to high heating and cooling rates by neutron diffraction). -Ideal candidates have a good background both in materials science and mechanics. -High motivation, ability to work in team but also autonomy, curiosity, good experimental skills as well as interest in theoretical approaches are expected. -Fluency in English is required, knowledge of German is appreciated. -Salary is funded by the German Research Organization (DFG) for a duration of 2 years (Bat IIa). -Envisioned start time: flexible (Fall 2009) Technische Universität Darmstadt specifically encourages female candidates to apply with a view towards increasing the proportion of female scientists. Handicapped persons with comparable qualifications receive preferential status.

Homepage : http://www.mawi.tu-darmstadt.de/naw/nawstartseite/arbeitsgruppen/oxide_1/ag_guillon.en.jsp

Category : Post-doc

Contact address : Interested candidates should send by e-mail their application in English or German, including a cover letter indicating their motivation to apply for this position, detailed CV, certificates, a short summary of research, references… For further information and application, please contact: Dr. Olivier Guillon Technische Universität Darmstadt FB Materialwissenschaft FG Nichtmetallisch-Anorganische Werkstoffe Emmy Noether Nachwuchsgruppe Petersenstr. 23 D-64287 Darmstadt Germany guillon@ceramics.tu-darmstadt.de

Keywords : materials science, ceramics, sintering, mechanical properties