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PhD track in Advanced Materials

PhD track in Advanced Materials
Program

PhD track Advanced Materials
ECTS Credits

120 (first two years)
Language

English
Orientation

Research
Location

Palaiseau Campus and partner institutions
Course duration

two years (coursework period), followed by a three-year dissertation phase
Course start

September
Degrees awarded

Master’s degree (after the first two years), PhD (on completion of the dissertation)

WHY ENROLL IN THIS PROGRAM?

Asset n° 1

Enjoy a research-oriented “a la carte” program, offering immersion into the research center starting as soon as you join the campus, at 1st year master level

Asset n°2

Be part of a vibrant interdisciplinary research community bringing together physics, chemistry, mechanics, covering the whole spectrum of

  • Understanding fundamental concepts, phenomena and their modeling
  • Elaboration of materials with multiscale control of structure
  • Advanced characterization of physical or mechanical properties
  • Design and engineering of devices

Asset n°3

Benefit from personalized supervision by a faculty member, and enjoy the freedom to explore courses from any of the three departments – Physics, Chemistry and Mechanics –  involved.

Designing materials with novel functionalities is one of the central driving forces of technological progress in fields as diverse as mobility technologies, data processing, renewable energies or natural resources management. The PhD Track “Advanced Materials” -- at the crossroads of condensed matter physics, solid state chemistry, and mechanics – offers students training to obtain

  •  a fundamental understanding of the properties of matter and of how macroscopic properties emerge from microscopic properties at the atomic or molecular scale
  • competences in materials synthesis and solid state chemistry,
  • a mastery of experimental characterization techniques
  • advanced skills in materials modeling and simulation techniques
  • first-hand experience in materials elaboration and device integration

By tailoring their customized training program, under the guidance by their tutor, students are free to define their own balance between theoretical, experimental and technological aspects.

Moreover, the PhD Track can be chosen with an affiliation to any of the three departments concerned, Physics, Chemistry, or Mechanics, depending on the focus the student wants to emphasize.

Objectives

  • Explore a field that links the most fundamental concepts of quantum mechanics to innovations at the service to society
  • Contribute to cutting-edge research in a word-leading research center
  • Discover a multidisciplinary field at the intersection of theoretical and experimental physics, chemistry, and mechanics
  • Be trained to become part of the next generation of condensed matter physicists, solid state chemists or mechanical engineers leading tomorrow’s progress in science and innovation, in academia or industry
  • Have the option to do research or work also in neighboring fields, for which materials aspects are central : biophysics, quantum technologies, electrical engineering, environmental sciences, ...

The five-year curriculum of the PhD track trains students in cutting-edge research to pursue international careers  in prestigious universities and academic labs, leading companies or start-ups in physics, chemistry or mechanics.

The PhD Track provides a five-year "à la carte" integrated Master and PhD program for particularly motivated and talented students aiming at preparing a career in academia or industry through an individualized research-oriented training program. Students will be attributed an academic tutor in their field of research from the very start of their studies at IP Paris. In coordination with their tutor, students will elaborate their own personal curriculum consisting of course work and research phases corresponding to their research interests and professional project.

During their first year, students will follow a selection of high level courses focused on condensed matter physics, solid state chemistry or mechanics. They may also include computer science and applied mathematics courses, as well as complementary modules allowing them to broaden their general scientific culture and to acquire complementary skills. At the same time, the students are immediately members of the research team of their tutor and participate in team activities and research discussions. This includes in particular attending relevant research seminars and potentially topical workshops. During the first year, students will work on a research project, in collaboration with their host team. A significant part of the second year will be devoted to a larger-scale research work, giving rise to a Master thesis and – most likely – first research publications. This is also the occasion to consolidate their choice for the topic of their PhD.

While it will still be possible to follow selected – more specialized – scientific courses and courses in secondary skills, the last three years of the PhD Track program will be mainly devoted to research work towards the PhD degree.

In addition to the weekly laboratory work, two mandatory full-time internships take place during the spring, one at the M1 level, the other at the M2 level. The number of ECTS can be adapted depending on the duration of the internship.

Students can complete a semester or a year abroad within the PhD phase, upon elaboration of a corresponding study plan with the tutor

All relevant laboratories of IP Paris and partner institutions, in particular

Admission requirements

Academic prerequisites

Completion with highest honors of a Bachelor in physics, chemistry or mechanical engineering, at Institut Polytechnique de Paris or equivalent in France or abroad.

Evidence of research potential is essential.

 
Students can choose to apply to the program with an affiliation to the Physics, Chemistry or Mechanics Departement. Depending on this choice, they will, after two years, obtain a masters degree in physics, chemistry or mechanics. The envisioned major should be indicated in your statement of purpose.

Students who have completed the first year of an equivalent program may be directly admitted to the second year (4-year PhD program).

Language prerequisites

A certificate of proficiency in English (level B2) is required (TOEIC, IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge ESOL), except for native speakers and students who previously studied in English.

How to apply

Applications are exclusively online. You will be required to provide the following documents:

  • Transcript 
  • Two academic references (added online directly by your referees)  
  • CV/resume 
  • Statement of purpose indicating which 2 choices of research subjects among the one listed on this page under the section "PhD Track Research Projects"

You will receive an answer in your candidate space within 2 months following the closing date of the application session. 

Fees and scholarships

Estimated fees for 2022-2023 are subject to increase

  • Regular fees: 243€
  • Engineer students enrolled in one of the five member schools of Institut Polytechnique de Paris (Ecole polytechnique, ENSTA Paris, ENSAE Paris, Télécom Paris and Télécom SudParis): 159€
  • Special cases: please refer to the "Cost of studies" section of the FAQs

Applications and admissions dates

Coordinators

Thierry Gacoin (chemistry-related questions)

Silke Biermann (physics-related questions)

Andrei Constantinescu (mechanics-related questions)

General enquiry

phd-track@ip-paris.fr

When applying to the PhD Tracks in Physics, you should describe your preferred fields of study and research in your motivation letter. You are ecouraged to choose two preferred PhD Track subjects among the list below. Since the posted offers do not cover the full spectrum of our activities, you can also visit the web pages of the 11 laboratories (CPHT, IPVF, LLR, LOA, LOB, LPICM, LPMC, LPP, LSI, LULI, Omega) affiliated to the physics department and indicate the research lines that interest you the most.

PhD Track research projects in “ADVANCED MATERIALS”

 

Description

Designing materials with novel functionalities is one of the central driving forces of technological progress in fields as diverse as mobility technologies, data processing, renewable energies or natural resources management. The PhD Track “Advanced Materials” -- at the crossroads of condensed matter physics, solid state chemistry, and mechanics – offers students training to obtain

  •  a fundamental understanding of the properties of matter and of how macroscopic properties emerge from microscopic properties at the atomic or molecular scale
  • competences in materials synthesis and solid state chemistry,
  • a mastery of experimental characterization techniques
  • advanced skills in materials modeling and simulation techniques
  • first-hand experience in materials elaboration and device integration

By tailoring their customized training program, under the guidance by their tutor, students are free to define their own balance between theoretical, experimental and technological aspects.

Moreover, the PhD Track can be chosen with an affiliation to any of the three departments concerned, Physics, Chemistry, or Mechanics, depending on the focus the student wants to emphasize.

Objectives

  • Explore a field that links the most fundamental concepts of quantum mechanics to innovations at the service to society
  • Contribute to cutting-edge research in a word-leading research center
  • Discover a multidisciplinary field at the intersection of theoretical and experimental physics, chemistry, and mechanics
  • Be trained to become part of the next generation of condensed matter physicists, solid state chemists or mechanical engineers leading tomorrow’s progress in science and innovation, in academia or industry
  • Have the option to do research or work also in neighboring fields, for which materials aspects are central : biophysics, quantum technologies, electrical engineering, environmental sciences, ...

The five-year curriculum of the PhD track trains students in cutting-edge research to pursue international careers  in prestigious universities and academic labs, leading companies or start-ups in physics, chemistry or mechanics.

The PhD Track provides a five-year "à la carte" integrated Master and PhD program for particularly motivated and talented students aiming at preparing a career in academia or industry through an individualized research-oriented training program. Students will be attributed an academic tutor in their field of research from the very start of their studies at IP Paris. In coordination with their tutor, students will elaborate their own personal curriculum consisting of course work and research phases corresponding to their research interests and professional project.

During their first year, students will follow a selection of high level courses focused on condensed matter physics, solid state chemistry or mechanics. They may also include computer science and applied mathematics courses, as well as complementary modules allowing them to broaden their general scientific culture and to acquire complementary skills. At the same time, the students are immediately members of the research team of their tutor and participate in team activities and research discussions. This includes in particular attending relevant research seminars and potentially topical workshops. During the first year, students will work on a research project, in collaboration with their host team. A significant part of the second year will be devoted to a larger-scale research work, giving rise to a Master thesis and – most likely – first research publications. This is also the occasion to consolidate their choice for the topic of their PhD.

While it will still be possible to follow selected – more specialized – scientific courses and courses in secondary skills, the last three years of the PhD Track program will be mainly devoted to research work towards the PhD degree.

In addition to the weekly laboratory work, two mandatory full-time internships take place during the spring, one at the M1 level, the other at the M2 level. The number of ECTS can be adapted depending on the duration of the internship.

Students can complete a semester or a year abroad within the PhD phase, upon elaboration of a corresponding study plan with the tutor

All relevant laboratories of IP Paris and partner institutions, in particular

Admission requirements

Academic prerequisites

Completion with highest honors of a Bachelor in physics, chemistry or mechanical engineering, at Institut Polytechnique de Paris or equivalent in France or abroad.

Evidence of research potential is essential.

 
Students can choose to apply to the program with an affiliation to the Physics, Chemistry or Mechanics Departement. Depending on this choice, they will, after two years, obtain a masters degree in physics, chemistry or mechanics. The envisioned major should be indicated in your statement of purpose.

Students who have completed the first year of an equivalent program may be directly admitted to the second year (4-year PhD program).

Language prerequisites

A certificate of proficiency in English (level B2) is required (TOEIC, IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge ESOL), except for native speakers and students who previously studied in English.

How to apply

Applications are exclusively online. You will be required to provide the following documents:

  • Transcript 
  • Two academic references (added online directly by your referees)  
  • CV/resume 
  • Statement of purpose indicating which 2 choices of research subjects among the one listed on this page under the section "PhD Track Research Projects"

You will receive an answer in your candidate space within 2 months following the closing date of the application session. 

Fees and scholarships

Estimated fees for 2022-2023 are subject to increase

  • Regular fees: 243€
  • Engineer students enrolled in one of the five member schools of Institut Polytechnique de Paris (Ecole polytechnique, ENSTA Paris, ENSAE Paris, Télécom Paris and Télécom SudParis): 159€
  • Special cases: please refer to the "Cost of studies" section of the FAQs

Applications and admissions dates

Coordinators

Thierry Gacoin (chemistry-related questions)

Silke Biermann (physics-related questions)

Andrei Constantinescu (mechanics-related questions)

General enquiry

phd-track@ip-paris.fr

When applying to the PhD Tracks in Physics, you should describe your preferred fields of study and research in your motivation letter. You are ecouraged to choose two preferred PhD Track subjects among the list below. Since the posted offers do not cover the full spectrum of our activities, you can also visit the web pages of the 11 laboratories (CPHT, IPVF, LLR, LOA, LOB, LPICM, LPMC, LPP, LSI, LULI, Omega) affiliated to the physics department and indicate the research lines that interest you the most.

PhD Track research projects in “ADVANCED MATERIALS”