Post-doctoral Research Fellow

• Location: Gracefield
• Type: Contract
• Post Date: Sun Jan 15 21:39:25 2023
• Ref: 5722

• Are you looking for a fixed-term contract for 20 months?
• Do you understand the importance of focussing outputs to meet strategic goals?
• Have you got proven experience in carrying out complex theoretical and/or experimental projects?

Mō Te Herenga Waka - About Our University

Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is a global-civic university with our marae at our heart. This iho draws off our heritage and is further defined by our tūrangawaewae, in particular Wellington, Aotearoa, and the Asia-Pacific, all of which are expressed in our position as Aotearoa New Zealand's globally ranked capital city university.

Our core ethical values are respect, responsibility, fairness, integrity, and empathy. These core ethical values are demonstrated in our commitment to sustainability, wellbeing, inclusivity, equity, diversity, collegiality, and openness. With, and as, tangata whenua, we value Te Tiriti o Waitangi, rangatiratanga, manaakitanga, kaitiakitanga, whai mātauranga, whanaungatanga, and akoranga.

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the role

Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is currently recruiting a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow to join the Materials team on a 20-month fixed term contract. This role will contribute to achieving contracted milestones in a funded Marsden research programme on ultrafast magneto-optical measurements of thin films.

You will need to work with Dr Simon Granville to:

• Grow thin films of rare earth nitrides and alloys using MBE equipment.
• Characterise the films with magnetometry, thin film XRD, electrical transport and other supporting measurements.
• Carry out time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr effect measurements on a new system in the ultrafast laser lab at Kelburn.
• Carry out x-ray absorption studies at synchrotrons overseas, particularly XMCD, including modelling/simulations to understand the experiments.
• lithographic patterning to make simple device structures for electrical and magneto-optical testing.
• Prepare the research results for dissemination in presentations and research publications.
• You will also assist a lab technician to manage the Magnetic Properties Lab and Thin Film Lab at Robinson, which houses thin film deposition/milling (Kurt Lesker CMS-18 and Intlvac ion mill) and magnetic properties measurement equipment (Quantum Design SQUID MPMS and PPMS and Vertisis MOKE systems).

Ō pūmanawa - About you

You will be a motivated, customer-focused individual who can take the initiative.

You will thrive in this role with an excellent manner with people, an ability to influence and manage conflict, strong attention to detail, and self-management skills. This role is busy, challenging, extremely rewarding and interesting for the individual with the right temperament.

You will be a highly organised self-starter and natural relationship builder, who relishes working autonomously as well as contributing positively to a high performing team. You will need effective time management and forward planning to balance meeting deadlines and maintain a high standard of service to both students and staff. The ability to remain calm under pressure and thrive working with a diverse range of stakeholders.

Key Requirements:

• A PhD in Physical Science or Engineering, or extensive post-graduate engineering experience.
• Comprehensive understanding of technical issues.
• Proven experience in carrying out complex theoretical and/or experimental projects.
• Plan and manage own work effectively and assist others.
• Consistently deliver agreed outputs to a professional standard.
• Proven experience of contributing to projects with a high degree of difficulty requiring logical and conceptual problem-solving skills.
• Understand the importance of focussing outputs to meet Institute & University strategic goals.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and manage work and involve others to meet outputs.
• Proven experience with consistently producing high quality outputs which have made a significant contribution to their specialist field.

Ētahi kōrero hai āwhina i a koe - Why you should join our team

The Paihau-Robinson Research Institute has an international reputation for superconducting engineering, materials physics and manufacturing engineering. We offer a unique opportunity for a high-achieving engineer to work alongside some of NZ’s top research scientists and engineers and contribute to a range of cutting-edge research projects that involve the development of new concepts in materials and manufacturing - from discovery science through to commercial implementation.

Role Description

Close Date for Vacancy: 31 January 2023

Contact Details for Vacancy: If you have any questions regarding this role please get in touch with Simon Granville (04 4630074, simon.granville@vuw.ac.nz). But applicants should follow all steps listed below.

Important - Application Steps and information

Download and complete the University Application Form .

Then, please combine your cover letter, CV and the University Application Form into a single file (preferably in pdf format).

Click Apply Now Button at the base of the advert. Follow the process to enter your contact details and attach your combined file (CV, cover letter and the University application form) using the “CV/Resume” button.

If you have any issues uploading your application, please email the completed application form, cover letter and CV to erecruit@vuw.ac.nz  stating the reference number and position title from the advert in the subject line.

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