Research Associate in Autonomous Fabrication and Metrology of Moiré Materials

Contract: Full Time (35 hours per week), Fixed Term (25 Months)

Closing date: Midnight 15th February 2024

Heriot-Watt University has established a reputation for world-class teaching and leading-edge, relevant research, which has made it one of the top UK universities for innovation, business, and industry.

The School of Engineering & Physical Sciences has an international research reputation and close connection with the professional and industrial world of science, engineering, and technology.

Job Summary

The Quantum Photonics Laboratory seeks a talented scientist to undertake research on the development of a fully autonomous pilot-line for van der Waals (vdW) heterostructure device manufacturing. Significantly, the goal of the project is to achieve high-quality, reproducible, and deterministic layer-by-layer assembly of so-called moiré materials, with homogeneity at the quantum scale.

Detailed Description

The research associate will focus in-depth. We will develop and integrate the tools into a complete state-of-the-art autonomous 2D manufacturing system with a user-friendly interface. The projects will be conducted within the framework of a European Research Council Advanced Grant which aims to drive forward programmable moiré materials with quantum-level homogeneity and reproducibility.

Key duties and responsibilities

The post holder is required to:

• Contribute to the development of the autonomous fabrication pilot line, with a focus on developing a robust autonomous scanning optical microscope that includes machine vision and either machine learning or physics-based models to characterise samples in-situ.  
• Develop techniques to describe moiré lattice homogeneity (twist and strain inhomogeneity) and link structural (AFM based) measurement results with in-situ optical metrology (e.g. second harmonic generation).  
• General tasks involve scientific research; analysis and interpretation of data; daily oversight of the activities of postgraduate and undergraduate project students in the laboratory; communication with other investigators involved in this collaborative project; preparation of scientific papers; presentation of research at conferences. 
• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research with the assistance of a mentor, if required.

• Build internal contacts and participate in internal networks for the exchange of information and to form relationships for future collaboration. Work with academic colleagues on areas of shared research interest and contribute to collaborative decision making. Join external networks to share information and identify potential sources of funds.

Essential Criteria 

• A good first degree and doctorate in materials science, physics, chemistry, engineering, or related discipline. Candidates must have submitted their doctoral thesis before starting in post.
• A sound grasp of quantum mechanics, optics, and atomic / molecular / solid state physics.
• A demonstrated track-record (during a PhD degree or post-doctoral research) of:
• Excellent programming skills
• An in-depth understanding of van der Waals heterostructures and moire materials
• Primary author contributions to leading peer-reviewed journals
• A record of high-quality publications, and experience in leading the writing of these publications proportionate to opportunity.

For all criteria, further details and how to apply: enzj.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX/job/3536/?utm_medium=jobshare

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