Research Assistant

About the Role

Project in the group of Prof. Joe Briscoe.

The project aims to develop new routes to high efficiency solar energy conversion – both for photovoltaics (PV) and photo electrocatalysis (PEC) – by producing nanocomposite thin films of ferroelectric and photoactive materials. Ferroelectric nanostructures will be developed that demonstrate a bulk photovoltaic effect, which will then be coupled to high efficiency light absorbers, such as photocatalysts or halide perovskites. These nanocomposites will be studied in detail using both experimental and computational techniques in order to understand and thus optimise their interactions and ultimately the device efficiency.

In this position you will be required to produce thin films of ferroelectric materials and nanocomposites using Pulsed Laser Deposition facilities at the University of Cambridge. The rest of the research work will be undertaken at Queen Mary in Mile End, London, so you will need to travel regularly between the two sites. You will characterize the materials at QMUL using a range of techniques including scanning electron microscopy, piezo response force microscopy, and x-ray diffraction. You will also carry out photovoltaic measurements on the materials to identify signatures of the bulk photovoltaic effect.

About You

Applicants should have research experience at least Masters level, and ideally have or be about to complete a PhD in Material Science, Physics, Chemistry, or equivalent. You should have experience of pulsed laser deposition, and all characterization techniques listed above.

About the School/Department/Institute/Project

This post is within the School of Engineering and Materials Science, a large School with 108 academics, over 250 PhD Students and over 2600 taught students. The School is supported by an administrative team and technical staff of approximately 55. The staff and student body are international in make-up.  

About Queen Mary

At Queen Mary University of London, we believe that a diversity of ideas helps us achieve the previously unthinkable.

Throughout our history, we’ve fostered social justice and improved lives through academic excellence. And we continue to live and breathe this spirit today, not because it’s simply ‘the right thing to do’ but for what it helps us achieve and the intellectual brilliance it delivers.

We continue to embrace diversity of thought and opinion in everything we do, in the belief that when views collide, disciplines interact, and perspectives intersect, truly original thought takes form.

Benefits

We offer competitive salaries, access to a generous pension scheme, 30 days’ leave per annum (pro-rata for part-time/fixed-term), a season ticket loan scheme and access to a comprehensive range of personal and professional development opportunities. In addition, we offer a range of work life balance and family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, and campus facilities.

Queen Mary’s commitment to our diverse and inclusive community is embedded in our appointments processes. Reasonable adjustments will be made at each stage of the recruitment process for any candidate with a disability. We are open to considering applications from candidates wishing to work flexibly.

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