Research Associate in Colour Centre Synthesis and Characterization

Job reference: SAE-027839
Salary: £36,924-£45,163 per annum, dependent on relevant experience
Faculty/Organisational unit: Science and Engineering
Location: Manchester
Employment type: Fixed Term
Division/Team: Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Hours per week: Full time (1 FTE)
Closing date (DD/MM/YYYY): 28/02/2025
Contract duration: 15 months
School/Directorate: School of Engineering

A postdoctoral research associate role with Prof Richard Curry at the University of Manchester (UoM) is available in the area of Colour Centre Synthesis and Characterisation. You will be working on an innovative project which is an essential part of a 5 year £7.8M EPSRC Programme Grant Nanoscale Advanced Materials Engineering (NAME) which is a collaboration between the University of Manchester, Imperial College London and the University of Leeds. The position is available from 1st April 2025 on a 15 month fixed term contract. 

The project is based in one of the largest and best equipped photon science research centres in the UK with several £10’s million of research-scale laser and spectroscopy facilities. The project will be heavily dependent on the Platform for Nanoscale Materials Engineering (P-NAME), the utilisation of high-magnetic field cryogenic optical spectroscopy facilities and advanced photonic and electronic characterisation methods. The post holder will be required to have a detailed understanding and experience of working with such capabilities.

The successful development of the majority of today’s technologies have been underpinned by breakthroughs in the ability to form functional materials with consistent material properties that can then be modified. Examples include the doping of Si wafers which underpins the semiconductor technologies market. Work on Si materials continues for emerging technologies with, for example, the creation of isotopically enriched materials for quantum applications. In many cases, it is typically the doping of these materials that imparts a specific functional property to the material (e.g. impurity ion centres in Si). This post will support work using the P-NAME tool to further demonstrate this capability for the generation of colour centres in Si targeting single photon emission within the telecommunications band window. The post will also identify and address challenges around the processing, characterisation and metrology of the novel materials produced.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status.  All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.      

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any CVs submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Prof. Richard Curry

Email: richard.curry@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries:

Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk

Technical support: jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

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