Research Assistant / Associate in In-situ Cryogenic & Biasing 4D-STEM of Ferroelectric Domain Walls

Location: South Kensington and White City Campuses

Contract:

Full-time, Fixed-term appointment for 48 months initially, with the potential to extend depending on programme requirements

About the role:

This post, funded by an ERC Consolidator Grant (DISCO), focuses on the dynamic behaviour of ferroelectric domain walls using advanced cryogenic and electrically biased 4D scanning transmission electron microscopy (4D-STEM) techniques. The Research Associate will design and execute in-situ experiments under liquid nitrogen and liquid helium conditions, including developing the hardware and protocols for electrical biasing of samples in the microscope. A key task is to process and analyse large 4D-STEM data sets and extract information about domain wall structure and dynamics. The role involves close collaboration with colleagues at Imperial College and partners in Germany and the USA, with the overall aim of exploring novel functional states in ferroelectric domain walls for future nano-electronic and quantum technologies.

What you would be doing:

• Experimental Design and Execution: Plan, conduct and optimize advanced 4D STEM experiments at cryogenic temperatures. This includes working with liquid nitrogen and liquid helium sample environments and integrating electrical biasing setups in the microscope to study ferroelectric materials in situ.
• Data Acquisition and Analysis: Process and analyse large, multidimensional 4D STEM datasets. Develop or adapt software tools (e.g. Python, MATLAB) for image reconstruction, phase mapping, and quantitative analysis of ferroelectric domain wall structures. Extract meaningful physical insights from complex data.
• Collaborative Research: Work closely with the research team, including Conroy group members, to refine experimental approaches. Engage with collaborators at Forschungszentrum Jülich and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to align experimental protocols and share data. Participate in regular project meetings and joint experimental planning.

What we are looking for:

• A PhD (or have submitted your thesis before taking up the role) in Materials, Physics, Chemistry or a closely allied discipline
• Expertise in 4D-STEM data acquisition
• Expertise in cryogenic (liquid nitrogen and/ helium atomic scale STEM
• Knowledge of in situ STEM characterisation
• Expertise in aberration corrected STEM

What we can offer you:

• Grow your career: gain access to Imperial’s sector-leading dedicated career support for researchers as well as opportunities for promotion and progression.
• Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 39 days off a year and generous pension schemes).
• Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.
• We provide a wide-ranging benefits package that includes resources, tools and networks to promote a positive working environment.
• Childcare facilities – Early Years Education Centre Further Information

*Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant within the salary range £43,003 to 46,297 per annum.

For informal enquiries please contact Dr Shelly Conroy, m.conroy@imperial.ac.uk

Further guidance may be sought from Mrs Darakshan Khan (d.khan@imperial.ac.uk).

Please note that job descriptions are not exhaustive, and you may be asked to take on additional duties that align with the key responsibilities mentioned above.

If you experience any technical issues while applying online, please don't hesitate to email us at support.jobs@imperial.ac.uk. We're here to help.

To apply, please click the 'Apply' button, above.

Closing date: 14 July 2025

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