Open positions
PhD offer 1
Open PhD position: Simulation of Photoresponsive Nonlinear Optical Monolayers
Project description: The design of responsive materials based on organic photochromes, which allow remote and reversible commutation of their electronic, magnetic, or optical properties, remains one of the greatest challenges for the development of photonic devices such as high-density optical memories. Exploiting the nonlinear optical (NLO) response of the molecules for the reading step, in particular the second harmonic generation (SHG), confers non-destructive readout ability to the devices, as it allows using near-infrared (NIR) excitation wavelengths that avoid triggering uncontrolled photoconversions or side reactions. The project has for objective the rational design of NLO-switchable 2D functional materials by means of computational chemistry. The student will be in charge of the development of a computational approach coupling sequentially molecular dynamics simulations and DFT calculations to describe the NLO responses and contrasts of supramolecular organic aggregates, while accounting explicitly for intermolecular interactions and electronic couplings. Once validated, he will apply this approach to simulate the SHG responses of the systems characterized experimentally.
Candidate profile: We are looking for an extremely motivated student who will be fully involved in a challenging multidisciplinary project and work in close collaboration with teams in charge of material synthesis, surface engineering and SHG measurements. The applicants should hold a Master in Physical Chemistry with a strong background in quantum and computational chemistry. A good level in written and spoken English is also required.
How to apply: Application should be sent to F. Castet (frederic.castet@u-bordeaux.fr). Documents should be sent as PDF files and include a letter of motivation, a CV and academic transcripts.
PhD offer 2
Open PhD position: Synthesis of clickable organic photochromes for their grafting on self-assembled monolayers
Project description: The student will be in charge of carrying out multi-step organic syntheses of a small library of NLO photo-switchable compounds from different families possessing an alkyne group. The strength of the donor / acceptor terminal units will be modulated as well as the length of the spacer between the chromophore and the alkyne. These compounds will then be immobilized on azide-terminated SAMs by Huisgen click reaction. Once the best performing compounds have been identified, the development of SAM mixing two types of photochromes (which can be independently controlled by irradiation with different wavelengths) will be studied to address the challenge of multi-encoding.
Candidate profile: We are seeking for top-quality PhD applicants holding a Master in chemistry, with experience in organic synthesis, having strong motivation and eager to work in a trans-disciplinary environment.
Contacts and application procedure: E. Genin (emilie.genin@u-bordeaux.fr) and L. Vellutini (emilie.genin@u-bordeaux.fr). Interested and qualified candidates should send as soon as possible a cover letter, a CV and transcript of master university examinations (M1 and M2) with marks and ranking.
Further information
Bachelor and Master internships
Training course projects are always available for highly motivated Bachelor or Master degree students.Please contact:
Organic synthesis: Emilie GENIN
Surface Engineering: Luc VELLUTINI
Spectroscopy characterizations: Vincent RODRIGUEZ
Theoretical modelling: Frédéric CASTET
Current internship offers:
Synthesis of clickable organic photochromes for integration into photocommutable nonlinear optical nanofilms
Topic description (in French)
Contact: Luc VELLUTINI