Research Assistant/Associate in Functional Nanomagnetism Department of Physics, Matter Community

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Grounded in the dyamic and collaborative Matter Research Community in the department of Physics, this project will expand and deepen the suite of microstate and magnonic control techniques in artificial spin ice nanomagnetic arrays - both 2D/single layered arrays and 3D multilayers.

In this post you will investigate nanomagnetism, reconfigurable magnonics and both optical and magnetic neuromorphic computing with responsibilities in nanofabrication (Electron beam lithography, thermal evaporation, magnetron sputtering) and characterization (MOKE, magnetic force microscopy and ferromagnetic resonance (FMR)) of nanomagnetic arrays.

Your experience, initiative and interests will shape the direction of the project, with potential for exploring both fundamental science/underlying physical behaviours and functional applications of the systems as platforms for reconfigurable GHz magnonic processing and neuromorphic computing.

You will have access to our suite of unique experimental methods, including all-optical magneto-plasmonic writing of nanomagnetic state (macrospins and vortices), reconfigurable nonlinear magnonics including ultrastrong coupling and magnon frequency combs and neuromorphic computing architectures.

Supervised by Dr Jack Gartside & Prof Will Branford, this project collaborates with the group of Prof. Hidekazu Kurebayashi at University College London and Prof. Benjamin Jungfleisch at the University of Delaware. For the latter of which there is funding for an extended research stay to use advanced GHz characterization techniques including micro-focused Brillouin Light Scattering.

You will develop creative, original research and submit papers to top journals and present at conferences. For examples of our recent work in this field please see:
- Reconfigurable training and reservoir computing in an artificial spin-vortex ice via spin-wave fingerprinting
- Task-adaptive physical reservoir computing
- Dipolar Ultrastrong Magnon-Magnon Coupling in a 3D Multilayered Artificial Spin-Vortex Ice
- Neuromorphic Few-Shot Learning: Generalization in Multilayer Physical Neural Networks

Duties and responsibilities

Main Duties:

• To carry out research in nanomagnetic arrays
• To maintain existing apparatus and labs
• To prioritise tasks within agreed work schedule
• To prepare and submit papers to top journals
• To disseminate research at conferences
• To support other students and PDRAs in the group
• To develop contacts and research collaborations within the College and the wider community
• To promote the reputation of the research community, department and College
• Assist in writing research grant
• Take initiatives in the planning of research
• Direct the work of small research teams

Essential requirements

At Research Associate level you must hold a PhD (or equivalent) in Physical Science or a closely related discipline

At Research Assistant level you must hold a first / masters degree (or equivalent) in Physical Science or a closely related discipline

You must also have:

• Experience in Magnetic Thin Films & nanostructures
• Evidence of outstanding promise and originality in research, demonstrated by a good publication record, commensurate with your career stage
• The ability to conduct a detailed review of recent literature
• The ability to develop and apply new concepts
• A creative approach to problem-solving

In addition, experience in the following areas is desirable:

• Experience in microwave electronics and measurements
• Knowledge of artificial spin ice/nanomagnetic arrays
• Knowledge of instrumentation design and control
• Knowledge of neuromorphic computing
• Interest in a fully-funded extended research visit to Prof. Benjamin Jungfleisch’s lab to conduct Brillouin Light Scattering experiments, University of Delaware

Further Information

More information about the Department of Physics, the Matter Community and the staff benefits that we offer can be found on our webpages.

This post is available for up to 22 months, commencing in May-July 2024. Interviews will be held March 18th & 19th 2024.

*Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant within the salary range £40,694 - £43,888 per annum.

Queries relating to the position should be directed to Dr. Jack Gartside, email: [email protected]

Should you have any queries regarding the application process please contact Miss Beth Mountford, Assistant Section Administrator, email: [email protected]

Closing date: 08/03/2024

To apply, visit www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs and search by the job reference NAT01654.