Senior Research Associate in Experimental studies of high-temperature hydride superconductors

The role

The role is part of an EPSRC project entitled “Towards superconductivity at ambient conditions”, led by Dr Jonathan Buhot. This experimental project aims to probe the microscopic nature of high-temperature superconductivity in hydride superconductors at high pressures. By using tunnelling spectroscopy in diamond anvil cells, we will reveal crucial information on the superconducting state, such as the pairing energy of the Cooper pairs. By doing so, we will affirm high-T_c superconductivity in hydrides and provide theorists with indispensable parameters that they will use to refine their theoretical models and predict new superconductors at ambient conditions.

You will join a team of dynamic researchers who study high-temperature superconductivity in hydride compounds with high-pressure electrical, spectroscopic, magnetic, and structural measurements. You will have access to a dedicated thin-film system to prepare circuits on diamonds for electrical measurements, a glove box equipped with an e-beam evaporator and an optical microscope, a Raman system including an optical cryostat, a laser heating setup at the School of Earth Sciences, and several cryostats for low-temperature electrical and magnetic measurements. You will also participate to x-ray diffraction experiments in international synchrotron facilities. Furthermore, you will have stimulating interactions with many PhD students and postdocs in the Bristol Quantum and Soft Matter theme, e.g. working on high-temperature superconductivity.

What will you be doing?

• Prepare and conduct high-pressure measurements on selected hydride superconductors. You will prepare custom-design diamond anvil pressure cells. This includes building robust tunnel junctions in diamond anvil cells in order to carry out tunnelling spectroscopy. You will employ thin-film deposition techniques and synthesise hydride superconducting compounds using the laser-heating setup at the School of Earth Sciences. You will also characterise hydride compounds crystal structure by x-ray diffraction methods in synchrotrons.
• Manage the day-to-day design and execution of experiments in collaboration with other members of the group including postdocs, PhD, and MSc students.
• Provide day-to-day guidance to PhD, and MSc students in the laboratory. 
• Acquire, analyse, and interpret research data and contribute towards preparation and submission of publications.
• Present your research at conferences and seminars. Participate in group meetings to present and discuss research data, technical developments, and laboratory management.

You should apply if

• You are excited about undertaking high-pressure research and want to contribute achieving room temperature superconductivity.
• You have a PhD in condensed matter physics and strong knowledge about superconductivity.
• You have experience with electrical transport measurements.
• You have a strong track record in research (commensurate with your experience).
• You have experience with high-pressure research and diamond-anvil pressure cells.
• You can manage a research project working together with other postdocs and PhD students.
• You enjoy teamwork and are self-motivated.

Additional information

Contract type: Open ended with fixed funding until 01/12/2027

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on 26/11/2024

Interviews are anticipated to take place week commencing the 2nd December 2024

For informal queries, please contact: Jonathan Buhot, jonathan.buhot@bristol.ac.uk

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