Research Associate in Semiconductor Device Manufacture and Characterisation

Job reference: SAE-031669
Salary: £37,694 - £ 46,049 depending on experience
Faculty/Organisational Unit: Science and Engineering
Location: Manchester
Employment type: Fixed Term
Division/Team: Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Hours Per Week: Full Time (1 FTE)
Closing date (DD/MM/YYYY): 24/06/2026
Contract Duration: Fixed Term for 36 months
School/Directorate: School of Engineering

We are seeking a motivated and collaborative individual to join our team as a Research Associate in Semiconductor Device Manufacture and Characterisation. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting‑edge research within the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and the Photon Science Institute at the University of Manchester. You will work in a dynamic and inclusive research environment, contributing to the EPSRC‑funded Materials Engineering for Advanced Devices (MEAD) Programme Grant, a major collaboration between the University of Manchester, Imperial College London and the University of Leeds.

This is a full‑time, fixed‑term post for 36 months from 1 September 2026.

You will be responsible for:

• Designing, simulating and fabricating semiconductor and quantum devices
• Developing and delivering experimental studies and measurement protocols for device characterisation
• Using advanced cryogenic, magnetic field, photonic and electronic characterisation facilities
• Collaborating with academic partners within the MEAD programme and externally to deliver research outcomes
• Disseminating research through high‑quality publications, reports and conference presentations

We welcome candidates who bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and approaches to their work.

About You
We encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You should demonstrate:

Essential Criteria

• A PhD (or close to completion) in Physics, Materials Science, Electrical/Electronic Engineering or a closely related discipline
• Strong experience in the design and fabrication of semiconductor or quantum devices
• Experience using cryogenic and magnetic‑field‑based characterisation techniques
• Ability to analyse, interpret and communicate complex experimental data
• Excellent communication, organisational and team‑working skills

Desirable Criteria

• Experience with focused ion beam technologies or advanced semiconductor processing
• Experience with photonic or microwave characterisation techniques
• Experience using modelling and simulation tools (e.g. COMSOL, MATLAB, LabVIEW, Python)
• Experience mentoring students or early‑career researchers

We value transferable skills, creativity and collaborative working as much as formal qualifications.

Our benefits include:

• Generous employer pension contribution
• 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays, along with Christmas closure
• Access to world‑class research facilities and extensive professional development support

For more information, please see
https://www.manchester.ac.uk/connect/jobs/benefits-working-here/.

You can also find information on Flexible and Hybrid working here:
https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/people/current-staff/flexible-and-hybrid-working/

We are an open place of enquiry and challenge. We embrace and celebrate difference, diversity and debate, and we pride ourselves on being a place of education, learning and community. Find out more from our Freedom of Speech Policy:

https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/news/display/?id=32905 

Enquiries about the role, shortlisting and interviews
Name: Professor Richard Curry
Email Address: richard.curry@manchester.ac.uk 

General enquiries and administrative support
recruitmentservices.people@manchester.ac.uk 

Technical and job portal support
https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home 

Applications close at midnight on the closing date.