Postdoctoral Researcher (M/F) in Synthesis, Texturization, and Characterization of Magnetocaloric Materials

Magnetocaloric materials with rotational effect, inherently exhibiting strong magneto-crystalline anisotropy, can be utilized to simplify the design of magnetocaloric refrigeration systems. These are theoretically more efficient than current cold production technologies based on the compression and expansion of environmentally harmful refrigerant fluids. Within the MagRota project framework realized in the CRISMAT laboratory, we propose to explore a new technique of powder texturing through slip-casting under magnetic fields to achieve highly textured magnetocaloric materials. An essential part of this project is the integration of machine learning techniques to optimize material synthesis and performance. The postdoctoral researcher will contribute to the synthesis and characterization of these materials, focusing on transition metal phosphides which have the advantage of being free from rare earths or toxic elements.

The researcher will be responsible for:
- Synthesizing intermetallic materials in powder form using various techniques (melting-solidification, magnesio-reduction), as well as their orientation through a slip-casting process under magnetic fields and their sintering (SPS).
- Characterizing the (micro)structure and magnetocaloric properties of the materials, using methods such as X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy (SEM), and magnetometry (SQUID).
- Collaborating with the research group members to integrate a Bayesian optimization approach into the synthesis process, aiming for continuous material improvement.
- Analyzing and interpreting data to understand the impact of texturing on the magnetocaloric properties.

The CRISMAT laboratory, which has around a hundred members, is a joint CNRS, ENSICAEN and Université Normandie unit. The contract will be carried out within the Crystallography and Physics of Matter team under the responsibility of Sylvain Le Tonquesse (CNRS researcher).
This job offer is subject to funding and to SRH's review of the application.