PhD Student in Materials Science

About the role

The Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), Switzerland's largest research institute for natural and engineering sciences, is recruiting a PhD student in Materials Science for its Applied Materials Group within the Laboratory for Neutron Scattering and Imaging. The project investigates the texture of additively manufactured lightweight alloys and links it to their mechanical properties.

Key responsibilities

• Investigate the texture of additively manufactured (AM) lightweight alloys using wavelength-resolved neutron imaging and relate it to their mechanical properties.
• Develop and apply a texture tomography inverse problem to reconstruct the crystallographic texture of AM components.
• Conduct neutron imaging and diffraction experiments on AM specimens.
• Validate the results with electron microscopy and mechanical testing.
• Publish results in scientific journals and present findings at international conferences.

Required profile

• Master's degree in materials science, materials physics, mechanical engineering, applied mathematics or a related field.
• Interest in experimental work, high motivation and excellent communication skills.
• Excellent command of English.
• An asset: experience with metal additive manufacturing.
• An asset: experience with neutron or X-ray diffraction and imaging techniques.

Required skills

• Programming skills such as Python are an asset.
• An interest in numerical methods, data analysis or inverse problems is an asset.

What we offer

• A systematic training on the job, together with personal development opportunities and a strong vocational training culture.
• Modern employment conditions and on-site infrastructure to help combine work and family life.

Applications, including a list of publications and referee addresses, must be submitted online by 5 November 2026.