Programme

The International PhD School Switzerland-Poland

High Performance Materials Aimed at Sustainable and Environmentally Compatible Applications

between Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research and two leading polish technical universities Warsaw University of Technology (WUT) and University of Science and Technology (AGH, Kraków) is an interdisciplinary PhD programme (research projects and training) enabling particularly highly qualified postgraduate students to complete their theses in an excellent, innovative and international research environment. The Int. PhD Schoolpromotes a new generation of young researchers for an international career in research. Within the framework of the first call for projects the PhD school offers

five PhD positions / scholarships in Materials Science

for the following projects to commence in October 2005:

  1. Flame spray synthesis and characterization of doped TiO 2 nanoparticles for photoelectric, photocatalytic and photochromic applications
  2. Growth mechanisms and morphology of adamantine (SiC) thermal bridges in diamond powder compacts
  3. Fundamentals of scale effects in ultrathin superlattice multilayer films for surface engineering of micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS)
  4. Fundamental understanding of the Corrosion mechanisms of Al based Quasicrystalline alloys
  5. Manufacture, structure and properties of magnetorheological elastomers

For the duration of the dissertation which should not exceed three years, the PhD students will be employed at Empa and matriculated as PhD students at the Polish partner university. It is planned that each student will spend half of its time (1.5 years) at Empa and the other half at the Polish university (WUT or AGH).

The PhD students will obtain their doctorate from the Polish university which is recognized in the European Union as well as in Switzerland.

Highly qualified students of all nationalities are welcome to apply. PhD students with independent funding are welcome if they fulfil the criteria for admission to the programme.

Candidates are expected to hold a university degree (Materials Science, Physics, Engineering, Chemistry) recognised in Poland (EU) and in Switzerlandwith above-average qualifications. They should enjoy working in an international team. Written and spoken English is a requirement.

To apply for the position, please send (or mail) your CV to Prof. Krzysztof Sikorski, Vice-Dean of Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, ul. Woloska 141, PL-02-507 Warszawa, [email protected] by latest 22 nd August 2005.

The final candidates will be invited for an interview at Empa. For further information about the International PhD School Switzerland-Poland please contact Dr. Jolanta Janczak-Rusch, Phone: +41 44 823 4529, [email protected].

Organisers