Research Associate / Senior Research Associate in Metasurface Solar Absorbers

The role

Are you ready to be part of a groundbreaking project that will transform the design of solar absorbers for use in both solar thermal and solar thermionic energy converters? If you are an enthusiastic self-starter who has (or will soon obtain) a PhD and are at home in a nanofabrication cleanroom, you should apply today.

What will you be doing?

We are part of the Photonics and Quantum Research group in the School of Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bristol. The group contains around 70 academics, researchers and PhD students that are pursuing world leading research in topics such as integrated quantum photonics, low cost sensors to revolutionise healthcare and new methods of harvesting renewable energy. You will work closely with the group of Professor Neil Fox who has been developing a new type of thermionic emitter which is one potential application for the metasurface absorbers that form the heart of this project.

The  project will focus on the development of hyperuniform disordered metasurfaces, a novel class of photonic structures in which structural correlations are accurately controlled. Discovered in 2009, these new materials have already attracted considerable attention as they combine the robust properties of periodic systems with the flexibility of disordered ones. We will explore the properties of hyperuniform media with the aim of achieving ultimate control over the absorption of solar radiation and emission of thermal radiation, with the goal to create highly efficient frequency-selective solar-thermal absorbing materials.

The project is supported by EPSRC and the role is for 2 years.

You should apply if

You are excited to lead the fabrication and characterisation of these new devices – you will work with colleagues in our Bristol Cleanroom as well as in collaboration with the University of Surrey that leads the overall project. Ideally you should have hands on experience in nano/microfabrication cleanroom work for this role – you will also either have or be given the opportunity to develop skills in metasurface design,  electromagnetic simulation and optical characterisation. You will be writing papers and presenting at conferences, as well engaging directly with industrial partners and other collaborators.

Additional information

For informal queries please contact: Professor Martin Cryan (m.cryan@bristol.ac.uk)

To find out more about what it's like to work in the Faculty of Engineering, and how the Faculty supports people to achieve their potential, please see our staff blog:

https://engineeringincludesme.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/

Contract type: Open ended (Fixed term funding for 2 years)

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on 24th November 2024

Our strategy and mission

We recently launched our strategy to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.

The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.

Advert information