Department of Physics

Grade 7: - £33,797 per annum
Fixed Term - Full Time
Contract Duration: 6 month
Contracted Hours per Week: 35
Closing Date: 15-May-2021, 6:59:00 AM 

The Department

The Department of Physics at Durham University is one of the leading UK Physics departments with an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching, research and employability of our students. 

The Department is committed to advancing equality and we aim to ensure that our culture is inclusive, and that our systems support flexible and family-friendly working, as recognized by our Juno Champion and Athena SWAN Silver awards. We recognise and value the benefits of diversity throughout our staff and students.

The Role

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the characterisation of new Perovskite materials and devices, to work with Prof Andrew Monkman in the Department of Physics at Durham University.

The position is to commence in May 2021 or as soon as possible thereafter. It is a fixed-term post for 6 months.

The project involves the study new Perovskite emitters for LED applications and will involve thin film Perovskite layer deposition and photophysical characterisation, along with device fabrication and testing. The project is a collaboration with the company PerOLED. Various time resolved optical measurements will be used to investigate emission quenching in Perovskite layers to determine new fabrication methodologies to avoid these loss mechanisms. We are looking for a person with previous experience working with Perovskite emitters.

Informal enquiries are welcome and should please be directed to a.p.monkman@durham.ac.uk 

Responsibilities

• To conduct individual and collaborative research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator. 
•  To be familiar with Perovskite materials, especially emission, materials deposition and Perovskite LED devices.
• To be familiar with spectroscopic measurements.
• To assist with the development of research objectives and measurements. 
• To work with the Principal Investigator and other colleagues at PerOLED on the research project, to identify ways to enhance LED performance, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio for potential further funding. 
• To understand and convey material of a specialist or highly technical nature to the team or group of people through presentations and discussions.
• To publish high quality outputs, including papers for submission to peer reviewed journals and papers for presentation at conferences and workshops under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
• To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and offering creative or innovative solutions. 
• To plan and manage own research activity, research resources in collaboration with others and contribute to the planning of research projects.
• To be involved in student supervision, as appropriate, and assist with the assessment of the knowledge of students. 
• To contribute to fostering a collegial working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect.
• To engage in citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.
• To communicate and collaborate with the industrial collaborators.

This post is fixed term for 6 months.

The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.

Essential:

Qualifications

• A good first degree in Physics or Chemistry or a related subject.
• A PhD (or be close to submission) in Physics or Chemistry or a related subject.

Experience

• Experience in conducting high quality academic research. 
• Demonstrable ability to write material of a quality commensurate with publication in highly-ranked journals.
• Demonstrable ability to present research papers at [international] conferences and communicate complex information to specialists and within the wider academic community.
• Demonstrable ability to collaborate with academic and Industrial partners.
• Expertise in Perovskite materials, Perovskite emission, Perovskite LEDs, spectroscopic characterisation.
• Experience in Perovskite film preparation, device fabrication and testing.

Skills

• Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, including participating in research meetings.
• Ability to work independently on own initiative and to strict deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. 

Desirable:

Experience

• Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals, commensurate with stage of career.
•  A track record of presenting research at conferences, symposia, or meetings, commensurate with stage of career.
• Demonstrable ability to develop research proposals and designs in collaboration with other academics.
• Working with Perovskite LEDs
• Time resolved spectroscopy

Skills

• Demonstrable ability to plan and manage independent research

How to Apply

We prefer to receive applications online via the Durham University Vacancies Site. https://www.dur.ac.uk/jobs/. As part of the application process, you should provide details of 3 (preferably academic/research) referees and the details of your current line manager so that we may seek an employment reference.

Applications are particularly welcome from women and black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in the University.

What to Submit

All applicants are asked to submit:

• A CV and covering letter which details your experience, strengths and potential in the requirements set out above;

DBS Requirement: Not Applicable.