Postdoc in Direct Ink Writing of Thermo-Electric Materials

Postdoc in Direct Ink Writing of Thermo-Electric Materials

100%, Zurich, fixed-term

The Advanced Manufacturing Lab (am|z) at the Department of Mechanical & Process Engineering (D-MAVT) at ETH Zurich is at the forefront of developing advanced manufacturing methods and systems that address the limitations of conventional materials processing technologies. We are currently seeking a highly motivated Postdoc to innovate methods for direct ink writing of thermo-electric materials onto non-planar metallic substrates.

Project Background

This role is part of the recently awarded Meta.Morphos project, funded by the ESA ESDI Phi-Lab Switzerland. The project aims to design and produce thermally actuated structures and mechanisms that incorporate thermo-electric materials, offering promising applications for space under stringent weight, volume, power, and resource limitations.

The project consortium includes several labs at ETH Zurich and research partners from Inspire AG, along with industrialization participants. The primary focus of this position is to develop materials and methods for the direct deposition and fabrication of thermo-electric devices onto non-planar metallic substrates. Concurrently, the team will work on techniques for designing and manufacturing structures with predictable material properties, ultimately integrating these two technologies to generate comprehensive devices. Industrial partners will provide application-specific use cases, expertise in environmental testing, and validation facilities.

Job Description

• Characterization of powdered materials for ink formulation
• Development of DIW processes for ceramic and TE materials, including optimization of parameters and evaluation of resolution
• Setup, programming, and operation of DIW equipment
• Determination of optimal debinding and sintering steps
• Characterization of the sintered materials regarding density, microstructure, defects, shrinkage, distortions, and preliminary thermoelectric properties
• Conducting validation studies under simulated environmental conditions
• Assisting with the industrial transfer of developed technologies
• Publishing research findings in leading international journals and presenting at conferences
• Active involvement in teaching and lab duties outside of the project (approximately 15-20% of working time)

Profile

• PhD in Material Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or Chemistry
• Knowledge and experience with direct ink writing technology, thermoelectric and ceramic materials, powder technologies, and material characterization, backed by a significant scientific publication record
• Strong communication, organizational, and analytical skills
• Proficiency in written and spoken English; knowledge of German is a plus

Workplace

The Advanced Manufacturing Lab (am|z), founded in 2020 and led by Prof. Bambach, currently employs about 50 staff members engaged in research on additive and hybrid manufacturing processes and advanced process control. We offer a dynamic, interdisciplinary, and international working environment aimed at fostering collaboration. ETH Zurich also supports postdocs in developing their career perspectives, whether in research or industry.

We Value Diversity and Sustainability

In alignment with our core values, ETH Zurich promotes an inclusive culture. We are committed to ensuring equal opportunities and valuing diversity, nurturing an environment where the rights and dignity of all staff and students are respected. For more information on our commitment to equality and diversity, please visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website. Sustainability is vital to our mission, and we actively strive towards a climate-neutral future.

Curious? So Are We.

We invite you to apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

• Curriculum Vitae
• List of publications, highlighting the top three most relevant to this position
• Reference letters and/or contact details for three academic and/or professional references (You will be informed before they are contacted)

For more information about the Advanced Manufacturing Lab, please visit our website. For inquiries regarding the position, please contact Dr. Léa Deillon at ldeillon@ethz.ch (no applications). Additional details on working as a postdoc at ETH can also be found here.

About ETH Zurich

ETH Zurich is one of the world's leading universities specializing in science and technology. We are renowned for our exceptional education, cutting-edge research, and direct transfer of innovative knowledge into society. With over 30,000 individuals from more than 120 countries, our university fosters an environment that encourages independent thinking and inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, we are committed to developing solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.