Postdoctoral Research Associate in Hydrogen Embrittlement Testing

We are seeking a 30% FTE part-time Postdoctoral Research Associate in Hydrogen Embrittlement (Experiments) to join Prof. Emilio Martinez-Paneda’s research group (the Mechanics of Materials Lab) at the Department of Engineering Science (central Oxford).  This fixed-term post is funded by an UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship until December 31, 2024.

You will conduct experiments to characterize the susceptibility of metals to hydrogen embrittlement, a phenomenon that is arguably the biggest threat to the deployment of a hydrogen energy infrastructure and the cause of numerous structural integrity problems in the transport, defence, marine and construction sectors.

You will be responsible for conducting a wide variety of experimental tasks, including (but not limited to) mechanical testing, microscopy (SEM), hydrogen permeation (both gaseous and electrochemical), electrochemical charging, and thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS). You will also be expected to take part in collaborative work, take part in the activities of the research group, submit publications to reputed journals and liaise with academic collaborators and sponsors.

You must have obtained or be close to obtaining a PhD in engineering, materials science, physics, chemistry, or other closely-related disciplines. Also, you should have experience in at least one of the following:

• Mechanical testing
• Environmentally assisted fracture testing
• Temperature-programmed hydrogen desorption
• Materials characterisation
• Hydrogen permeation
• Coupled deformation-diffusion modelling

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Prof. Emilio Martinez-Paneda (email: emilio.martinez-paneda@eng.ox.ac.uk)

Only online applications received before midday on 22nd April 2024 can be considered. You will be required to upload a covering letter/supporting statement, including a brief statement of research interests (describing how past experience and future plans fit with the advertised position), CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application.

The Department holds an Athena Swan Bronze award, highlighting its commitment to promoting women in Science, Engineering and Technology.

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