Postdoctoral Fellow in Hybrid Glass Characterisation and Properties

Te Kaupeka Pūtaiao | Faculty of Science

Te Kura Matū | School of Physical and Chemical Sciences
Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand 

• Full-time 37.5 hours per week (1.0 FTE)
• Fixed term position (2.5 years at 1.0 FTE) 

Kia hiwa rā, kia hiwa rā!

He hiahia, he pūkenga nōu ki te mahi a te Postdoctoral Fellow? Nāia te pōwhiri nā Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha kia tono mai i te tūranga nei. 

Āu Mahi | What You Will Do

As part of the research project funded under the Marsden Proposal Scheme " Creating Functional Hybrid Inorganic Perovskite Glasses", we have an exciting opportunity for a Research Associate/Postdoctoral Fellow to join an interdisciplinary research team in the School of Physical and Chemical Sciences (SPCS) - University of Canterbury, New Zealand. You will work under the direct supervision of Professor Thomas Bennett, and you will be an integral part of the research team: contributing to the collection and the analysis of data, dissemination of the research results and providing technical and administrative support for the project. Project members include Prof. Paul Kruger (UCNZ), Prof. Sian Dutton (Cambridge) and Prof. Justin Hodgkiss (Victoria Wellington).

New, structurally resilient materials for LEDs are highly sought after. Inorganic perovskites are a family of thousands of materials which are highly promising for applications in both photovoltaic (PV) cells and LEDs. This project will build upon the group's landmark discovery of a 4th category of glass and create and characterise glasses formed from Hybrid Organic Inorganic Perovskites (HOIPs). Glass materials are the structural basis of hundreds of industrial and domestic applications and represent a $265 billion p/a market. Ultimately, the glassy phases of many optically active HOIPs will be realised, and their potentially transformative optical properties demonstrated. Structure-property relationships will be developed and used to provide design rules for architecturally structuring functional hybrid glasses with controlled optical properties. The candidate will have the opportunity to be the day-to-day supervisor for a PhD student also associated with the project, and at the same time also have access to Professor Kruger and Assoc. Prof Chris Fitchett, under the multi-PI group model embraced by the three principle investigators.

Mōu | Who You Are

We are looking for someone with excellent interpersonal, intercultural, research, and organisational skills. In addition, we are interested in someone who is creative, self-motivated, and enjoys working in a multidisciplinary team.

To be successful in this role you will have excellent communication skills and written English, strong quantitative and data analysis skills, the ability to work creatively and independently, and a strong research background.

You will have a PhD in Chemistry or Materials Science and have the following skills:

• Demonstrated academic ability in an area relevant to the research project
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work well in a multidisciplinary and multicultural team
• Demonstrated ability to complete tasks to ensure project success
• Proficiency in English (written and oral)

Highly desirable competencies include:

• Familiarity with pair distribution function (PDF) or extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) data collection and analysis
• Experience with differential scanning calorimetry
• Photophysical characterisation skills
• Glass science

Mahi Ngātahi | Who You Will Work With

The Te Kura Matū School of Physical and Chemical Sciences is a thriving community with a legacy spanning 150 years of academic excellence. Amongst the largest Schools within the University, we are driven by our collective commitment to search for innovative solutions that address the problems and challenges both within New Zealand and the World. 

Our School boasts a vibrant tapestry of individuals, encompassing academic, technical, and administrative professionals from a wide spectrum of backgrounds. United by our shared purpose, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery.

Immersed within the Rutherford Regional Science and Innovation Centre (RRSIC), our laboratories thrive amidst state-of-the-art teaching and research infrastructure. Furthermore, our association with the broader university opens doors to other exceptional research and computational facilities, enhancing the depth of exploration. 

The School of Physical and Chemical Sciences offers a spectrum of majors including Astronomy, Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences. Our research endeavours are channelled through five central themes: Sustainability and the Environment, New Materials, Nanotechnology and Laser Physics, Energy and Storage, and Astronomy and Astrophysics, as well as Human, Animal, and Plant Health. 

By joining our School, you will be a part of pioneering initiatives that shape the future of scientific discovery and leave an indelible mark on the world. 

For more information about our team, please visit us at Physical and Chemical Sciences | University of Canterbury

Ngā Painga o UC | Why UC

Ngā Uara | Our Values of manaakitanga, whanaungatanga and tiakitanga guide our decisions and behaviour and provide a roadmap for how we do things at UC, affirming our commitment to pastoral care and support for our ākonga and staff. They challenge and inspire us to be the best we can, and make UC a great place to work and study. For more info on Ngā Uara | Our Values visit us here: https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/about-uc/our-story/our-values

 We are committed to accessible higher education, service to the community and the encouragement of talent without barriers of distance, wealth, class, gender or ethnicity. The University explicitly aims to produce graduates and support staff who are engaged with their communities, empowered to act for good and determined to make a difference in the world.

We offer a range of fantastic benefits including flexible work practices, study opportunities and generous superannuation and leave provisions. For more information, please visit us: https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/about-uc/work-at-uc/benefits-working-uc For more information about Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury, please visit https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/

The closing date for this position is: 13^th April 2025 (midnight, NZ time)

Applications will be reviewed after the close date.

Pēhea te tono mai | How You Apply

Applications for this position must be submitted on our careers website and should include:

• A cover letter detailing your motivation in applying for the position and your relevant expertise
• A resume
• Contact details for two nominated referees

Please note, we do not accept applications by email, however we are happy to answer your queries in relation to the application process, please forward these to WorkatUC@canterbury.ac.nz 

Prospective candidates are encouraged to contact Prof Tom Bennet (thomas.bennett@canterbury.ac.nz) for further information or with any questions, please subject the email ‘Postdoctoral fellow in Hybrid Glass Characterisation and Properties’. 

Please Note: Candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant Doctoral qualification, will also be considered. Upon appointment, if the Doctoral qualification is yet to be awarded, the title of Research Associate will be applied and the salary will reflect the Research Associate salary scale.

Appointable salary for a Research Associate will be $61,007p.a - $71,179 p.a.

Salary for a Post-Doctoral Fellow is NZ$86,612 p.a. The nominal start date is February 2026 or earlier; flexibility is possible.

For overseas applicants, please visit Immigration New Zealand website, to review the latest health and visa requirements for visiting and working in New Zealand.