Research Assistant in Tailoring the Electronic Properties of Multifunctional Atomically Thin Semiconducting Transition Metal Dichalcogenides

Salary: £28,200 per annum

Fixed term appointment for 36 months

We are seeking applications from enthusiastic graduates for a three-year Research Assistant to study transition metal dichalcogenides in their atomically thin form with the aim to identify synthesis methodologies that can enable control over their opto-electronic properties. The ultimate goal will be to integrate the synthesized material in practical devices. The project will be based in the Department of Materials at South Kensington Campus.

The discovery of graphene has triggered an enormous interest in 2D atomic materials systems that can be isolated from their 3D bulk form. These single/few atomic layers exhibit functional properties different from their bulk counterpart offering novel applications. In particular semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides (TMD) (e.g.WS₂, WSe₂) display unique optoelectronic properties, which are strongly dependent on their chemical doping and dimensionality. However, methodologies for synthesis and isolation of 2D atomic layers with controlled electronic features are still to be demonstrated.

The aim of the proposed research is: i) to synthesize high quality material via bottom-up and top-down approaches and develop a growth parametric study in order to achieve properties control ii) to advance the knowledge on these materials by studying their tunable electronic structure, iii) to integrate the synthesized material in optoelectronic devices on flexible/stretchable substrates. To accomplish these studies, various experimental techniques from synthesis to characterization will be used. Examples are: chemical vapour deposition, colloidal processing, Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, UV-Visible luminescence spectroscopy and ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy.

You will work within a team of dynamic PhD Students and Research Associates, in newly refurbished laboratories on the South Kensington Campus. You will also have extensive interaction with several international collaborators, as well as project partners. You will have access to advanced characterization facilities within the department including Titan 80/300 TEM/STEM and the recently funded ambient pressure photoelectron spectroscopy (APPES).

We are seeking candidates with a minimum 2:1 (or equivalent) first degree in Materials Science, Chemistry or Applied Physics. Also, an MSc degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry involving the solution based processing of WS₂ and WSe₂.

This 3-year position will begin in October 2013.

This project will be supervised by Dr Cecilia Mattevi (c.mattevi@imperial.ac.uk).

Further guidance may be sought from Mrs. Darakshan Khan (d.khan@imperial.ac.uk).

Our preferred method of application is online via our website http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/employment.  Please select “Job Search” then enter the job title or vacancy reference number, EN20130177FH, into “Keywords”. Please complete and upload an application form as directed and submit this form online, together with a CV, a statement of how you meet the hiring criteria, a publications list and a preprint of an outstanding piece of previous research.

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Closing date: 2 June 2013

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