Research Associate

Role Description

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

We are currently seeking a 6-month Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA), with the possibility of a 1 year extension. This role will support the development of magnetron-sputtered foils for nuclear physics applications. The successful candidate will be based at York and may spend short periods at national or overseas laboratories. The role will involve working on an experimental set-up in the York Surface Science Lab incorporating a magnetron sputter source to grow thin films for use in nuclear physics experiments. This lab contains a wide range of surface characterisation and materials growth techniques including photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS and UPS), metastable helium de-excitation spectroscopy, scanning tunnelling microscopy, and temperature programmed desorption. The York-JEOL Nanocentre provides complementary facilities that will be utilised in the project including transmission and scanning electron microscopy (TEM and SEM). 

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed.

You will have:

• A PhD in experimental condensed matter physics or experimental nuclear physics, or a closely related field by the appointment start date

• A good level of understanding and communication in English

• Experimental experience of thin film production and/or nuclear semiconductor detector technology  (e.g. sputtering systems, silicon detectors, vacuum, gas handling and HV systems) 

• Knowledge of the Linux environment and coding in C/C++ or a similar language 

• Experience with scientific software and high-level analytical skills

• Ability to work independently

• Ability to effectively communicate physics outputs in conferences and collaboration meetings

Interview date: TBC

For informal enquiries: please contact Dr Charles Barton (Charles.barton@york.ac.uk), Professor Alison Laird (alison.laird@york.ac.uk), Dr Andrew Pratt (andrew.pratt@york.ac.uk) or pet-hr@york.ac.uk

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 also encourage applications from women for senior roles. 

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