The School of Mathematics and Physics at Queen’s University Belfast is seeking a Research Fellow to undertake atomic force microscopy based milling on antiferroelectric thin films as part of a collaborative US-Ireland project. The successful candidate will be based within the Centre for Quantum Materials Technologies (CQMT), which has an ongoing world-class research activity on Ferroelectrics and domain wall phenomena.
The position will assume responsibility for the delivery of specific research objectives as part of a recently awarded NSF/SFI/DELNI US Ireland project that will help unveil transitional states in an antiferroelectric material with strong implications for energy storage. The planned research will be pursued at a fundamental level and will be heavily experimentally focussed with QUB effort aimed at nanoscale SPM-based milling and subsequent nanoscale electrical characterisation of antiferroelectric thin films.
This is an exciting opportunity to get involved in a cutting-edge research programme: the appointee will work within the PI’s group alongside PhD students, as well as members of other groups associated with the nanoscale ferroelectrics activity in the Centre.
The appointed candidate will undertake research under supervision within the specific research project, and as a member of the PIs research team to investigate transitional states in the archetypal antiferroelectric, Lead Zirconate (PZO) thin films. The key activity will involve undertaking atomic force microscopy based size reduction (thinning) and tip-based shaping of nanostructures. As part of the project, the candidate will also investigate the structure-property relations in processed films.
About the person:
The successful candidate must have and your CV/Cover letter should clearly demonstrate you have:
To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information.
This post is available for 12 months. Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.
What we offer:Beyond a competitive salary, the University offers an attractive benefits package including a holiday entitlement of up to 8.4 weeks a year, pension schemes and development opportunities. We support staff wellbeing with flexible working options, work-life balance initiatives and support for physical and mental health. You can find more detail on all of this and more at https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/HumanResources/pay-reward-and-benefits/.
Queen's University is committed to promoting equality of opportunity to all. We subscribe to Equality Charter Marks such as the Diversity Charter Mark NI and Athena Swan and have established staff networks such as iRise (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International Staff Network) and PRISM (LGBTQ+) which help us progress equality.
For further information on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, please visit www.qub.ac.uk/diversity.
Candidate Information
Information for International Applicants