RESEARCHER PROFILE: Postdoc / R2: PhD holders
RESEARCH FIELD(S)1: Physics
MAIN SUB RESEARCH FIELD OR DISCIPLINES1: Engineering
JOB /OFFER DESCRIPTION
This position is part of the ECOPOL project funded by the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR) and the Agence Innovation Défense (AID), involving the Institut des Sciences du Mouvement (ISM UMR7287), the Institut Matériaux Microélectroniques Nanosciences de Provence (IM2NP UMR7334) and the Marseille-based SME SOLNIL. The project leader is Julien Serres, full professor at Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France.
The ECOPOL project aims to develop an optical compass to guarantee heading detection when navigating autonomous mobile robots. Currently, these robots use magnetic fields or GPS, but environmental conditions can severely hamper their accuracy. ECOPOL introduces a third sensory modality, inspired by insects, exploiting polarized ultraviolet light from the sky. The optical compass will be based on zinc oxide photodetectors.
The candidate will have a PhD in materials science with advanced knowledge of fabrication techniques, characterization techniques, and the design of ultraviolet-sensitive zinc oxide-based photosensors; and will be responsible for defining the size of the photosensor array using a simulator, then building a prototype in partnership with SOLNIL, and finally carrying out various characterization tests at ISM and IM2NP.
More info at: https://serres-lab.com/
Activities within the structure as part of the project
- Simulation of photosensors - polarization pattern developed at ISM to define the size of the photosensor array required to achieve a heading detection accuracy objective. This simulation will also be used to develop an ECOPOL firmware that calculates absolute heading from optical information.
- Development of advanced UV photosensors based on zinc oxide (ZnO) with integrated interdigitated electrodes, with the help of IM2NP and SOLNIL.
Presentation of the structure
ISM is a Joint Research Unit (UMR 7287), associating Aix-Marseille University and the CNRS. The laboratory employs around 150 people (researchers, teacher-researchers, IT/BIATSS and PhD students). Over the past ten years, ISM has developed recognized expertise in the interdisciplinary study of mechanisms underlying complex motor behavior, cognition, physiology, sociology and biomechanics, mainly in humans, but also in insects, through the work of the SBI team's Biorobotics axis, which develops biomimetic sensors for robots whose morphology is also sometimes inspired by animals.
Partners
SOLNIL aims to industrialize a nano-fabrication process for optical applications (anti-reflection, multispectral sensors, 3D measurement, augmented reality). This process is based on direct nano-imprinting of sol-gel materials (solnil process). The company is housed at the Centre Interdisciplinaire de Nanoscience de Marseille (CINaM Lab) on the Luminy campus and finalized an initial fundraising round of €400k in March 2023, followed by a €2.47 million European EIC Accelerator Horizon Europe project (METAPRINT) in January 2025 to strengthen its team and embark on pre-industrialization.
IM2NP Lab
IM2NP Lab is a multi-site institute with a regional geographic dimension, as it is located in both Marseille and Toulon. IM2NP is a joint research unit (CNRS/AMU/Toulon University, UMR 7334). IM2NP is structured into 20 teams, with the research activities of the LUMEN-PV (Light Ultimate MatErials Nanodevices and PV) team focusing on coupling between optoelectronic techniques for materials characterization and proprietary software for solar cell and detector optimization.
TYPE OF CONTRACT: TEMPORARY / JOB STATUS: FULL TIME
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 30/06/2025 23:59
ENVISAGED STARTING DATE: 01/09/2025
ENVISAGED DURATION: 15 months (renewable once)
JOB NOT FUNDED THROUGH AN EU RESEARCH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME
WORK LOCATION(S):
Institut des Sciences du Mouvement UMR7287, Bâtiment Soufflerie, 163 Avenue de Luminy F-13009 MARSEILLE
Institut Matériaux Microélectroniques Nanosciences de Provence UMR7334 Bâtiment Louis NEEL
Technopôle de Château Gombert 5 rue Enrico Fermi F-13013 MARSEILLE
WHAT WE OFFER:
Salary: €2,616.35 gross per month
The employer will reimburse part of the cost of the monthly public transport pass for regular journeys between the local home (in the Aix-Marseille area) and the workplace.
Additional information: The Euraxess Center of Aix-Marseille Université informs foreign visiting professors, researchers, postdoc and PhD candidates about the administrative steps to be undertaken prior to arrival at AMU and the various practical formalities to be completed once in France: visas and entry requirements, insurance, help finding accommodation, support in opening a bank account, etc. More information on AMU EURAXESS Portal
QUALIFICATIONS, REQUIRED RESEARCH FIELDS, REQUIRED EDUCATION LEVEL, PROFESSIONAL SKILLS, OTHER RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS
Required:
- Expertise in the development of thin films by sol-gel methods (pure and doped), using spin-coating and immersion techniques, particularly for zinc oxide (ZnO);
- Strong experience of working in cleanrooms is therefore expected.
- Skills in semiconductors, doping, transparent conducting oxides, and interdigitated electrodes;
- Mastery of advanced optical, morphological, and electrical characterization techniques;
- Multiphysics simulation tool;
- Scientific paper writing;
Appreciated:
- Data processing and simulation in Matlab or Python;
- Proficiency in an office suite (e.g., Microsoft Office) and the LaTeX editor;
Soft skills:
- Attention to detail;
- Professional English;
- Teamwork;
- Adaptability;
- Stress management;
- Organizational Skills;
- Problem-Solving Skills;
REQUESTED DOCUMENTS OF APPLICATION, ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, SELECTION PROCESS
Research work will be carried out on technology platforms and in clean rooms in restricted zones (ZRR). Aix Marseille Université's Security and Defense Officer (SDF) will authorize the candidate to take up his or her duties two months before the effective start date of the contract.
HOW TO APPLY: [email protected]
