Department of Physics

Grade 7: - £33,797 - £35,845 per annum
Fixed Term - Full Time
Contract Duration: 24 month
Contracted Hours per Week: 35
Closing Date: 01-Jul-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 two Postdoctoral Research Associates in modelling wetting phenomena and interfacial flows, to work with Prof Halim Kusumaatmaja in the Department of Physics at Durham University.

The positions are to commence in October 2021 or as soon as possible thereafter. The posts are for 24 months in the first instance, and there is a possibility for extension subject to availability of funding.

The positions are part of an EPSRC Fellowship recently awarded to Prof Kusumaatmaja. The overarching aim of the project is to transform our understanding of wetting dynamics and fluid flows on liquid infused surfaces (LIS) through the development and application of a state-of-the-art numerical approach based on the lattice Boltzmann method. The project will also involve collaborations with several experimental collaborators and industrial partners.

Informal enquiries are welcome and should please be directed to halim.kusumaatmaja@durham.ac.uk. Further details about Prof. Kusumaatmaja's research group can be found at https://sites.google.com/site/kusumaatmaja, and about the Fellowship project at https://gow.epsrc.ukri.org/NGBOViewGrant.aspx?GrantRef=EP/V034154/1.

Responsibilities:

• To understand and convey material of a specialist or highly technical nature to the team or group of people through presentations and discussions that leads to the presentation of research papers in conferences and publications.
• To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences which may include: research sponsors, academic and non-academic audiences.
• 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 assist with the development of research objectives and proposals.
• To conduct individual and collaborative research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
• To work with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and other colleagues in the research group, as appropriate, to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.
• 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 liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.
• To plan and manage own research activity, research resources in collaboration with others and contribute to the planning of research projects.
• To deliver training in research techniques/approaches to peers, visitors and students as appropriate.
• 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 engage in continuing professional development by participation in the undergraduate or postgraduate teaching programmes or by membership of departmental committees, etc. and by attending relevant training and development courses.   
• To communicate and collaborate with the academic and industrial collaborators.
• To develop and implement multiphase lattice Boltzmann simulation codes.
• To study wetting and flow dynamics on liquid infused surfaces, and to synthesize the results into rational design principles for robust and durable liquid infused surfaces.

These posts are fixed term for 24 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.

Successful applicants will ideally be in post by 1st October 2021. 

The Requirements

Essential:

Qualifications

• A good first degree in Physics, Applied Mathematics, Engineering or a related subject.
• A PhD (or be close to submission) in Physics, Applied Mathematics, Engineering 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 other academic and/or industrial collaborators.
• Demonstrable experience in developing and/or applying computer simulations.
• Expertise in soft matter, fluid dynamics, or other related research areas.

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.
• Experience of overseeing students with respect to the development of their practical/research skills e.g. acting as a demonstrator; supervising student projects/practicals.
• Experience in lattice Boltzmann method or other relevant computational fluid dynamics methods.
• Expertise in wetting, interfacial phenomena or multiphase flows.

Skills

• Demonstrable ability to plan and manage independent research.

How to Apply

For informal enquiries please contact Prof Halim Kusumaatmaja at halim.kusumaatmaja@durham.ac.uk; All enquiries will be treated in the strictest confidence. 

We prefer to receive applications online via the Durham University Vacancies Site. 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.

DBS Requirement: Not Applicable.