PDRA in environmental TEM/STEM for photocatalysis

Role Description

Department

The post-holder will be based in the School of Physics, Engineering and Technology (PET) at the University of York  and their work will focus on atomic and electronic structure of photocatalysts under in-situ conditions in environmental STEM/TEM, with the ultimate goal of translating the knowledge into practical application on a project entitled: ‘Reactivity Mapping of Photocatalysts Using Dynamic Environmental Electron Microscopy.' This is a collaborative  project between York-JEOL Nanocentre (Prof. V. Lazarov and Dr L. Lari) and Photocatalysis group (Prof. R. Douthwaite) in the Department of Chemistry, and will entail studies of synthesis, characterisation, and testing of metal oxide photocatalysts with application to air purification.

You will join a research team in electron microscopy characterisation of materials, environmental TEM/STEM development and materials modelling; manage your own project, devising and implementing new in-situ in-operando electron microscopy characterisation approaches.

The York-JEOL NC hosts a suite of electron microscopes, including ARTEMIS, the first environmental open cell double corrected STEM/TEM. York has pioneered environmental TEM in the UK, and has developed in-house system that allows atomic level spectroscopy and imaging in the presence of external stimuli including gas, temperature, electrical bias, etc.

 The School of PET 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

As a key member of the York-JEOL Nanocentre team, you will co-lead the development of atomic-scale in-situ/in-operando environmental STEM/TEM techniques under light illumination. You will be responsible for both advancing these experimental methods and applying them to critical research areas, such as indoor pollution. The role provides a unique opportunity to work with state-of-the-art electron microscopes in a multidisciplinary environment, collaborating closely with Tronox, an industry leader in the production of TiO₂ nanoparticles and pigments.

Skills, Experience & Qualifications needed

You will have

• A  PhD in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science or related subject;
• Experience in the operation of transmission electron microscopes and Electron Energy Loss and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopies.
• A track record of high-quality peer-reviewed publications.
• Excellent communications skills.

Interview date: To be confirmed

For informal enquiries: Prof Vlado Lazarov (vlado.lazarov@york.ac.uk) or pet-hr@york.ac.uk as the second contact.

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive  – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University. 

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork