Research Assistant/Associate in Lithography and Laser Processing (Fixed Term)

Applications are invited for a Research Assistant/Associate (Postdoctoral Researcher) in the Department of Engineering, to work on the development of a new lithography and laser processing techniques to integrate carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into microdevices. Applications of this process includes microsensors, microbatteries and microthrusters. The post holder will be located at the University of Cambridge in the group of Prof. Michael De Volder (www.nanomanufacturing.eng.cam.ac.uk/) and collaborate with project partners at UCL (Prof Buddha Deka Boruah https://profiles.ucl.ac.uk/87661) and Cambridge (Prof Adam Boies https://cambridgenanoaerosol.com/).

CNTs are one of the most widely studied, and most attractive nanomaterials with off-the-chart mechanical and electrical properties. However, these off-the-chart properties only apply to high quality individual nanotubes whereas most commercial applications require tens to millions of carbon nanoparticles to be assembled into one device. Unfortunately, the mechanical and electronic figures of merit of CNTs typically drop by at least an order of magnitude in comparison to the constituent nanoparticles once integrated into a device. In this project, we will build on lithographic and laser processing as well as self-assembly techniques developed in the host group to control the morphology of CNTs at multiple lengthscales and improve the performance of CNT devices. This project requires knowledge of lithography and/or laser processing and/or CNT synthesis. In collaboration with our project partners, these structures will find applications in microsensors, microbatteries and thrusters.

Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will be appointed at Research Assistant level, which will be amended to Research Associate once the PhD has been awarded.

Salary Ranges:

Research Assistant: £29,605 - £33,966

Research Associate: £36,024 - £44,263 

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 18 months in the first instance.

Please ensure that you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a covering letter and publication list (highlighting what you think are your three best publications) in the upload section of the online application. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application. Please submit your application by midnight on the closing date.

For questions about the application process, please contact Holly Shaw, email has50@cam.ac.uk (Tel +44(0)1223 765598).

Please quote reference NM38644 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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