진학프로석·박사 채용 접수 플랫폼

Work Environment

CRISMAT is a joint research unit of CNRS, ENSICAEN, and the University of Caen Normandy, located in Caen, with about 100 members. The laboratory is internationally recognized for its expertise in functional oxides. The candidate will join the Thin Films, Interfaces, and Surfaces group and be supervised by Julien Varignon, Assistant Professor at ENSICAEN. The postdoc will work in a stimulating scientific environment with access to computing resources and numerous experimental collaborations within the laboratory.

Project Description

Discovered in 1911, superconductivity remains one of the most fascinating properties of condensed matter. Superconductors are perfect electrical conductors and exhibit perfect diamagnetism below a critical temperature Tc . Conventional superconductivity is explained by the formation of electron pairs, called Cooper pairs [Phys. Rev. 104, 1189 (1956)]. In the original theory proposed by Bardeen, Cooper, and Schrieffer (BCS theory) [Phys. Rev. 108, 1175 (1957)], lattice vibrations compensate the repulsive Coulomb interaction between electrons, enabling pairing. The BCS theory, based on electron–phonon coupling, successfully describes superconductivity in simple materials such as Pb or MgB2. However, it appears insufficient for more complex systems, such as La2-xSrxCuO4 cuprates or recently discovered nickelates [Nature 518, 179 (2015); Phys. Rev. B 100, 205138 (2019); Phys. Rev. B 109, 184505 (2024)]. The microscopic mechanisms underlying superconductivity in these compounds remain poorly understood, limiting the identification of materials that could superconduct at ambient temperature and pressure.

Postdoctoral Project Objectives

The postdoctoral project aims to study complex superconducting oxides to identify the mechanisms responsible for superconductivity. The work will primarily involve electronic structure simulations based on density functional theory (DFT) and will build on recent group research [Nat. Commun. 16, 1458 (2025); Phys. Rev. B 110, 235107 (2024); Phys. Rev. B 110, 125120 (2024); npj Comput. Mater. 9, 30 (2023); Phys. Rev. Mater. 6, 064801 (2024)]. The project may include studies of strong electronic correlations (DFT+U, hybrid DFT), structural instabilities, or spin-lattice coupling.

Required Skills and Expertise

The candidate should:
• Hold a PhD in Materials Science, Physics, or a related field ;
• Have a strong background in condensed matter physics ;
• Possess proven experience with numerical simulations based on density functional theory ;
• Be proficient in scientific computing environments (Linux, HPC) and Python programming ;
• Demonstrate autonomy, initiative, and ability to work collaboratively.

Job Title: First-Principles Study of Superconducting Oxides Contract

Type: Postdoctoral Position Workplace: Laboratory of Crystallography and Materials Science (CRISMAT)

Contract Duration: 12 months, with possible extension

Workload: 36 hours/week

Required Degree: PhD

Salary: Minimum €2,380 per month