Research Associate for Nanoscale Characterisation of Advanced Functional Materials

A Research Associate role with Prof Richard Curry at the University of Manchester (UoM) and Prof. Olga Kazakoca at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is available in the area of isotopically enriched semiconductor materials for application within quantum technologies. You will be working on an innovative project which is an essential part of a 5 year £7.8M EPSRC Programme Grant Nanoscale Advanced Materials Engineering (NAME) which is a collaboration between the University of Manchester, Imperial College London and the University of Leeds. The position is available from 1st July 2024 for 24 months.

The project is based in one of the largest and best equipped photon science research centres in the UK with several £10’s million of research-scale laser and spectroscopy facilities. The project will be heavily dependent on the Platform for Nanoscale Materials Engineering (P-NAME), the utilisation of high-magnetic field cryogenic optical spectroscopy facilities and advanced photonic and electronic characterisation methods. The project will also involve utilisation of the advanced characterisation capability housed within the NPL with close engagement with the Quantum Technologies, Devices, Metrology and Applications Group. The post holder will be required to have a detailed understanding and experience of working with such capabilities.

The successful development of the majority of today’s technologies have been underpinned by breakthroughs in the ability to form ultrapure materials with consistent material properties that can then be modified. Examples include the growth of high-purity Si ingots for wafer production and the development of high-purity SiO2 for optical fibres. In order to obtain high-purity compound materials (e.g. InGaAs) techniques including molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and chemical vapour deposition (CVD) have been developed enabling nanometre control of film thickness. Despite this remarkable achievement, there are still demands to develop methods to provide isotopically pure materials (e.g. for quantum technologies) as recently pioneered at UoM. In all cases, it is typically the doping of these materials that imparts a specific functional property to the material (e.g. impurity ion centres in Si). This post will support work using the P-NAME tool to further demonstrate this capability, whilst identifying and addressing challenges around the characterisation and metrology of the novel materials produced.

The School of Engineering is strongly committed to promoting equality and diversity, including the Athena SWAN Charter for gender equality in higher education. The Department of Materials holds a Silver Award which recognises its good practice in relation to gender; including flexible working arrangements, family-friendly policies, and support to allow staff to achieve a good work-life balance.

We positively welcome applications from women and other under-represented groups for this post. Appointment will always be made on merit. For further information, please visit https://www.cs.manchester.ac.uk/connect/social-responsibility/responsible-processes/.

The University will actively foster a culture of inclusion and diversity and will seek to achieve true equality of opportunity for all members of its community.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here.

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:
Name: Prof. Richard Curry
Email: richard.curry@manchester.ac.uk

Further particulars including job description and person specification are available on the University of Manchester website - click on the 'Apply' button above to find out more.

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