Research Associate

Department

The School of Physics, Engineering and Technology brings physicists and engineers together to push the frontiers of knowledge, foster innovation and meet the grand challenges facing society. Our aim is to deliver world-leading research in both fundamental and applied areas whilst developing new technologies that work for the public good, in an environment where everyone can thrive.

As a School, equality, diversity, and inclusion are central to our culture and we strive to provide a working environment which allows all staff and students to contribute fully, to flourish, and to excel. We aim to ensure that there is a supportive and egalitarian culture at all levels and across all staff groups and offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, staff engagement forums, campus facilities and services to support staff from different backgrounds. We are proud to hold Juno Champion and Athena Swan silver awards, which recognise our commitment to creating an equitable and fully inclusive environment in which staff and students can thrive. We aim to inspire young people to engage with science and engineering through our outreach work.

Role

The postholder will join the Spin Dynamics Group at the University of York, a world-leading team specialising in the atomistic modelling of magnetic materials and spintronic devices. As a researcher on the EPSRC-funded DREAMS project, the successful candidate will advance the theoretical understanding of ultrafast magnetism through the development and application of advanced atomistic models using the open-source VAMPIRE software package. The principal focus of the role will be the simulation of deterministic all-optical switching (AOS) in high-coercivity FeCoPt structures, assessing their viability for next-generation hard disk recording media.

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

Qualifications and Knowledge

• You must hold an undergraduate degree in Physics, Engineering, Mathematics, or a quantitative Science, alongside a PhD in computational magnetism or equivalent research experience.
• Essential knowledge includes a deep understanding of computational magnetism to engage in high-quality research and a mastery of a range of research techniques and methodologies.

Skills and Competencies

• It is essential that you have the ability to write up research for publication in high-profile journals and the competency to present your findings at international conferences or exhibitions.
• You must be capable of conducting both individual and collaborative research projects, developing your own research objectives and proposals (with mentoring if required), and identifying potential sources of funding.

Experience and Personal Attributes

• You should have a proven track record of carrying out independent and collaborative research and experience in writing up that work for publication.
• Key personal attributes include a commitment to high quality and attention to detail, a collaborative ethos, and genuine enthusiasm for the project's subject matter.

Interview date: TBC

For informal enquiries: Please contact Dr Richard Evans at richard.evans@york.ac.uk or PET-HR at pet-hr@york.ac.uk.

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