Fellowship Opportunity: Surface Engineering

The Surface Engineering Group at Manchester Met can trace an unbroken history of achievements back to the early 1970s. Led by Prof Peter Kelly, the group specialises in the development and applications of the magnetron sputtering physical vapour deposition technique and are the leading academic exponents of this technique in the UK. Our goal is to generate new understanding of coating materials and deposition processes and use that knowledge to develop new applications, components and devices with novel or enhanced properties, which support economic and social development at regional, national and international levels.

Our dedicated laboratory houses eight magnetron sputtering systems, supported by an extensive suite of testing and analysis facilities. Our work is highly applied in nature, and generally focused on the end use of the coating/substrate system as our coating equipment ranges in scale from lab scale ‘material discovery’ systems to full size pilot production systems. With a strength of seven academic staff, four PDRAs, several PhD students and visiting researchers, we collaborate and engage with industry to understand their issues.

About the role:  

• To undertake world-leading and internationally excellent research using latest and innovative methodologies, as relevant in your area of research. 

• To prepare, present and publish research outputs through the appropriate forums e.g. research workshops, conferences, seminars, exhibitions, portfolios, academic journals etc. 

• To develop ideas for generating income to ensure the continued success and growth of research portfolio.  

• To disseminate findings of research widely to further the institution’s standing in the HE and research community and strengthen the impact of the research.

• To engage in scholarly activities conducive to a long-term successful academic career that will support and enhance the research culture within the Department/ School, Faculty and University.

About the candidate:  

We are welcoming applications from emerging researchers whose core research areas are functional films for hostile environments and/or functional films for environmental remediation.

Requirements: 

• Doctoral level qualification in a related research area. 

• Possess breadth or depth of specialist knowledge and demonstrate potential for research independence.

• Excellent track record of relevant research outputs. 

• Significant research experience in the chosen field of research, which should include where appropriate: 
  • leading the work of a team, co-ordinating effort and resources to meet objectives 
  • developing partnerships with internal and external agencies 
  • preparing funding proposals and applications to external bodies 
  • using initiative, creativity and judgement to develop appropriate approaches to research 
  • synthesising complex data from different sources and communicating findings via written reports and articles 
  • presenting at national and/or international research meetings 
  • supervising student work and providing appropriate support and feedback. 

• Experience of managing and monitoring performance of research projects in multi-disciplinary teams.

• Ability to manage projects involving academic institutions and funding bodies. 

Please refer to the Job Description & Person Specification for a full list of essential & desirable criteria. 

Academic Contact: Prof. Peter Kelly ([email protected] ) to discuss the fellowship opportunity in detail. 

Closing Date: 29 May 2024 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on [email protected]   

To apply to the fellowship, click here  

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