Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering

Location:      Guildford
Salary:      £32,236 to £33,199 per annum
Fixed Term
Post Type:      Full Time
Closing Date:      Friday 12 July 2019

Applications are invited for two positions of Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the Advanced Technology Institute. The position involves a range of activities to conduct research into the production of large area electronic devices based on triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) materials. We will design novel TENG device architectures based on an understanding of the fundamental working principles of these devices and develop optimization strategies for the structural and motion parameters of TENGs with the aim to maximize output power.

TENG technology provides many advantages, such as large output power, low cost, simple production, and high power conversion efficiency, making them a potential source of cheap power generation for society worldwide. Used as thin layers, these materials provide a cost effective method for the production of electricity suitable for low power electronics, such as those expected to be developed for the Internet of Things (IoT) and wearable technologies.

In particular, the applicants will be involved in the experimental and theoretical model development of small area vertical contact separation mode TENGs, supported by computational modelling optimization, with an aim to facilitate knowledge transfer to large area manufacturing technology suitable for energy generation applications such as personalised technology and remote sensors for example. You will be expected to collate results and report on the work in a way accessible to both academic/technical and non-specialist audiences, with a view to develop the research towards the project goals.

You are also expected to help support existing activities and PhD students working within the research group.

You will have a good honours degree in physics, chemistry, functional materials, electronic or electrical engineering and should have a PhD in a relevant discipline ideally including previous experience of materials development for energy systems. Practical research expertise in a clean room environment, glove box usage, and in electrical measurement is desirable. The initial contract will be for 2 years and may be extendable.

Informal academic enquiries may be made to Prof. Ravi Silva at the Advanced Technology Institute, +44 (0)1483 689825. Further information about the Advanced Technology Institute can be obtained from the ATI website http://www.surrey.ac.uk/advanced-technology-institute

Please note, it is University Policy to offer a starting salary equivalent to Level 3.6 (£31,302) to successful applicants who have been awarded, but are yet to receive, their PhD certificate. Once the original PhD certificate has been submitted to the local HR Department, the salary will be increased to Level 4.1 (£32,236).