Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Power Electronics

We are seeking a full-time PDRA to join Prof. Dong (Lilly) Liu’s research group at the Department of Engineering Science (Central Oxford). The post is funded by the EPSRC project: Understanding the interfacial strength, nano-scale 3D structure and residual stresses in advanced power electronic materials (INTERVENE), and is fixed-term of 18 months.

Power electronics is a major technology sector for the UK, contributing £50B to GDP and direct employment for >300,000 people in 12,000 companies. This project will collaborate with the REWIRE IKC (Innovation and Knowledge Centre: Transforming Net Zero with Ultrawide Bandgap Semiconductor Device Technology) to accelerate the UK’s ambition for NetZero by transforming the next generation of high voltage electronic devices using wide/ultra-wide bandgap (WBG/UWBG) compound semiconductors. The PDRA will be responsible for the characterisation of advanced power electronic materials to understand their mechanical behaviour, residual stresses in relation to their 3D microstructure.

You will have a PhD (or close to completion) in engineering, materials science, physics or other closely-related disciplines. You will be a highly motivated and responsible researcher with strong curiosity in science and engineering who possesses relevant knowledge on power electronic materials, mechanics of materials, and has experience in synchrotron experiments. 

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Prof. Dong (Lilly) Liu (email: dong.liu@eng.ox.ac.uk)

For more information about working at the Department, see www.eng.ox.ac.uk/about/work-with-us/

Only online applications received before midday on 4th July 2025 can be considered. You will be required to upload a cover 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.  

Advert information