PhD in Tuning Electronic Structure of Tungsten Oxide Thin Films via Combinatorial Deposition

This fully funded PhD position in Bordeaux, France, focuses on synthesizing tungsten oxide (WO₃) thin films via combinatorial magnetron sputtering to investigate how intrinsic and extrinsic defects influence their electrochemical properties. The project, part of the DETOX initiative, aims to accelerate materials discovery for electrochromic and photoelectrocatalytic applications using high-throughput experimentation and machine learning. The candidate will collaborate across four institutions—CEA-TECH, CEA-INSTN, ICMCB (Bordeaux), and Polytechnique Montréal—benefiting from multidisciplinary expertise in thin-film deposition, electrochemistry, and data-driven materials science. The research aligns with the DIADEM PEPR programme, a national AI-driven materials initiative, and includes international research stays in Canada.

• Develop and optimize combinatorial magnetron sputtering techniques to synthesize WO₃-based thin films with controlled defect structures.
• Investigate the relationship between deposition parameters (e.g., target composition, pressure, reactive atmosphere) and material properties (structural, morphological, electronic, electrochemical).
• Characterize materials using advanced techniques (e.g., X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, optical spectroscopy).
• Apply machine learning and AI tools to analyze high-throughput experimental data and predict optimal material compositions.
• Collaborate with partners at CEA-INSTN (Saclay) and Polytechnique Montréal (Canada) for joint research visits and knowledge exchange.
• Contribute to scientific publications and conference presentations throughout the project duration.