Research Assistant / Associate – Processing highly textured ceramics by templated grain growth

About the role

The post is funded by the DSTL to investigate the processing of highly textured ceramics for armour applications

The parasitic nature of armour systems means that their weight imposes a limit on the protection levels that are achievable for a given vehicle. Lightweight ceramic armour systems are also generally expensive to produce. Maximising ballistic resistance per unit weight for ceramic armour materials, at the lowest possible economic cost, is therefore important.

Ballistic resistance in ceramics is closely related to microstructure and grain size. In general, increases in performance can be seen until a critical grain size is reached. Grain boundary stresses are further exacerbated when the grains in a microstructure are randomly aligned, as is the case for most ceramic materials.

What you would be doing

Main Duties:

• Process ceramics with aligned microstructures.
• Characterise the microstructure and residual stresses in the samples.
• Ensure the validity and reliability of data at all times.
• Maintain accurate and complete records of all findings, and manage the generated data.
• Assist with the writing of reports to research sponsors.
• Present findings to colleagues.
• Provide advice to other staff and students.
• Assist with the publication of findings.
• Attend relevant workshops and conferences as necessary.

What we are looking for

• Research Associate: Hold a PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry or a relevant / closely related engineering discipline, or equivalent research, industrial or commercial experience

*Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant.

• Research Assistant: A first / masters degree (or equivalent) in Materials Science/Chemistry/Chemical Engineering/Mechanical Engineering
• Practical experience within a research environment and / or publication in relevant and refereed journals
• Practical experience in a broad range of techniques including ceramic powder processing, sintering, SEM, XRD
• Practical experience with EBSD and TEM
• Experience in mechanical testing at micro to macro levels

What we can offer you

• We will provide you with an excellent research environment to grow as a research leader.
• We will support you in future funding proposals and applications and fully include you in any collaborations/networks.
• Opportunities for professional development, e.g. through the award-winning Early Career Researcher Institute.
• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity.
• 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.

Further information

*Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant within the salary range £43,863 to £47,223 per annum.

Additional information please contact: Professor Finn Giuliani, f.giuliani@imperial.ac.uk

Guidance may be sought from 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.

Available documents

Attached documents are available under links. 

• download: Research Associate or Asistant Job Description processing of aligned microstrctures ENG03744.pdf
• download: Employee Benefits Booklet.pdf

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