Research Fellow in Surface Science for Sustainable Energy Solutions

Are you a surface scientist looking to develop a career in energy research with societal impact? Are you interested in surface analysis with a world-leading near-ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy facility? Do you want to be part of an interdisciplinary research team developing solutions for sustainable transportation? Do you want to further your career in one of the UK’s leading research-intensive Universities?

The academic team at the University of Leeds is looking to recruit an experienced surface scientist to join a multi-institution research collaboration with Infineum UK Ltd, bringing together several UK universities and a globally leading specialty chemicals company. You will be responsible for delivering the research activities at the University of Leeds and will contribute to the overall coordination of the collaborative research projects in the fields of decarbonised transport, magnetorheological fluids and batteries. You will undertake research visits, develop new research ideas and deliver results collaboratively. This position is intended for an ambitious researcher to build a leadership profile, by developing an original research portfolio with both academic and real-world impact through collaborations with PhD students and external partners.

You will have a track record in applying state-of-the-art laboratory and synchrotron-based surface science techniques to reveal the physicochemical basis of surface chemistries taking place at solid/liquid interfaces. Using in situ and operando you will determine how surface chemical processes combine to determine the properties and performance of multi-component formulated products, both under conditions of use and their production.

You will build on an established industrial collaboration that has in the past focused on in situ and operando studies for the development of transportation additives and nanoparticles for protecting surfaces, reducing friction and minimizing surface wear. This collaboration is now developing towards new sustainable energy applications, with new classes of sustainable specialty chemical formulations. You will provide leadership in training of a growing team and collaborate with other surface and interface science research projects that make use of the advanced X-ray analysis infrastructure at Leeds and Diamond Light Source. 

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:

Professor Sven Schroeder, Bragg Centenary Chair (email: S.L.M.Schroeder@leeds.ac.uk) OR

David Harbottle, Associate Professor (email: D.Harbottle@leeds.ac.uk)

Please note that this post may be suitable for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route but first-time applicants might need to qualify for salary concessions. For more information, please visit: www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

For research and academic posts, we will consider eligibility under the Global Talent visa. For more information, please visit: www.gov.uk/global-talent.

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