Research Fellow - School of Physics and Astronomy - 105415 - Grade 7

Job Description

Position Details

School of Physics and Astronomy

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,130 to £45,413 with potential progression once in post to £48,149

Grade: 7

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to June 2027

Closing date: 3rd April 2025

UK and International travel may be required for this role

Background

To create and contribute to the creation of knowledge by undertaking a specified range of activities within an established research programme and/or specific research project. Specifically:

Experimental low-temperature physics involving nanofabrication, high pressure measurements, extreme magnetic field and milliKelvin temperature tuning of exotic low dimensional materials with hands-on experiments & development of capabilities, and opportunities for travel to international facilities.

This project is to identify, synthesise and explore new 2D materials, searching for exotic quantum functionalities to form new sustainable electronics and new types of computing. Tuning nanostructures of these materials with extreme pressure will unlock entirely new physics and new applications.

The (Transition Metal)P(S,Se)3 materials, many of which have yet to be studied, form the focus of this research project. These 'magnetic graphene' materials bring magnetism and strong quantum mechanical effects to the domain of 2D materials and comprise exciting new building blocks for exotic new quantum engineering. We seek to control their properties and discover new phases of matter beyond the as-grown crystal properties by controlling the role of dimensionality (2D vs 3D vs.. 2.5D?) in electronic and magnetic states. We do this via ultra-high pressure measurements using opposed diamonds, and you will be a key part of adding in the capability to measure monolayers, bilayers and trilayers of single atomic thickness - and then applying pressure to these nanoscale delicate devices to control their behaviour yet further. This is an ambitious new direction just getting off the ground in the field and we aim to be at the forefront of the exciting new physics this will unlock.

The group carries out crystal synthesis, transport measurements, structural determination through x-ray and neutron scattering, magnetic measurements and nanofabrication. We target a deliberately broad selection of properties to measure, usually under extreme high pressure conditions, to gain a full picture of the physics in a material's phase diagram and to understand newly-discovered phases as much as possible.

You will be responsible for the day-to-day supervision of the group's PhD students in all the above and running, maintaining and upgrading our in-house cryostats. You will also lead the commissioning of new gloveboxes and dry transfer setup for exfoliation and assembly of 2D materials nanostructures and developing fabrication practices in our cleanroom utilising photolithography.

The following skills are highly desirable, but on-the-job training in any yet missing is possible:

1. Experience in high-pressure techniques, particularly setting up diamond anvil cells for magnetotransport
2. Experience in low-temperature measurements, particularly hands-on cryogenics engineering
3. Experience in cleanroom & nanofabrication techniques
4. Familiarity with crystal growth (chemical vapour transport) and handling chemicals

The ability to manage projects, keep organised notes and work in a research team environment is essential, as is a solid background in condensed-matter physics and the ability to communicate through writing and oral presentations.

This post is listed for 2 years in the first instance, but there is scope for extension and additionally promotion to senior PDRA when in role if appropriate. Funds are allocated for international conference travel and a research visit to S.Korea collaborators to bring more nanofabrication techniques expertise in-house.

In the first instance you are encouraged to email Dr Matt Coak at m.j.coak@bham.ac.uk to arrange a discussion.

Role Summary

• Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids
• Designing and developing the experimental apparatus
• Operate within area of specialism
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results
• Contribute to generating funding
• Contribute to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar
• Disseminating research findings (publications, seminars, posters)
• Supervising work of other people with different level of experience - from high school to PhD students
• Contributing to School activities

Main Duties

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.

• To initiate, undertake and direct original research into the extreme conditions tuning of 2D materials and their nanostructures
• To project-manage and lead on the group's collaboration with industry partners, taking ownership of the day-to-day relationship and anticipating next directions
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
• To support and lead research within the group to solve problems, collaborate and innovate in scientific directions for the group.
• To provide leadership on broader scientific skills within the group (at all levels) including mentoring students, leading on administrative/organisational tasks and helping to develop writing and presentation skills
• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Analyse and interpret data
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
• Undertake management/administration arising from research
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture

Person Specification

• First degree in area of specialism and normally, a higher degree relevant to research area or equivalent qualifications
• Experience with high-pressure techniques, nanofabrication, crystal synthesis, low-temperature measurements
• High level analytical capability
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly
• Respect for others and ability to work cohesively in a diverse team

Informal enquiries to Dr Matt Coak, email: m.j.coak@bham.ac.uk

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy.

You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.