Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy

This new full time post is available from 1 September 2022 on an 18 month fixed term basis.

This role offers the opportunity for hybrid working – some time on campus and some from home.

Please note that as of 1st September 2022 our colleges and schools will be moving into a new structure which will consist of the following three Faculties – Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, and Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.

Summary of the role

The College wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to participate in EPSRC funded project aims under End User Energy Demand Technology 2 call to undertake ambitious innovative research program of developing new technology to significantly reduce energy demand in the built environment at an acceptable cost. The project is in collaboration with University College London. This research program will develop advanced glazing technology to lower U values while maintaining comfortable daylight environments and to reduce annual energy consumption by 30-40% for buildings. This will be achieved by developing in-house novel modelling codes, developing a multi-fold smart composite based on optimised matrix of phase change materials (PCM) to enhance thermal capacitance, transparent insulating materials (TIM) to increase thermal resistance, transparent infrared absorber (TIA) to absorb IR radiation and  thermochromic materials (TCM) to control light transmission and along with infrared reflective (TIR) coating to reduce heat loss and gain through transparent envelope of built environment. The theoretical modelling, development and characterisation of smart composite materials will reduce heat losses and improve U values.

The post is available from 1 September for 18 months. You will work on material design, fabrication of PCM, TIM, TCM, TIA and TIR composite, material, optical and thermal, and U values characterisation of fabricated materials and prototypes.

The post will include attending research progress meetings and/or deliver presentations, contributing to writing progress report, publishing research articles as required in the project.  

About you

The successful applicant will be able to develop research objectives, projects and proposals; identify sources of research funding and contribute to securing funds and dissemination project outcome.

Applicants will possess a relevant PhD or equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study. The successful applicant will be a nationally recognised authority in renewable energy/chemistry/physics/materials science, or other suitable subject and possess sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline to develop research programmes and methodologies. The successful applicant will also be able to work collaboratively, supervise the work of others and act as team leader as required. Applicants will be able to do nanomaterials thin film fabrication, material, optical and thermal characterisation. Candidates with experience in DFT/MD simulation, building energy simulations, photocatlysis and electrocatylysis are also encouraged to apply.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role.

The University of Exeter

We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 150 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022 and QS World University Ranking 2022).  

Our research income in recent years means we’re the fastest growing UK Research University with some of the world’s most influential scientists, and we seek to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today through this. More than 99% of our research is of international quality and our world-leading research impact is growing faster than any other Russell Group university (2021 Research Excellence Framework). We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students. Read about our world leading research – Green Futures and how we are transforming education for a changing world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country and Exeter (a fast growing tech hub) is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City .

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

With over 27,000 students and 6,400 staff from 180 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer. Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community. Reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.

Benefits

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

• 41 days leave per year
• options for flexible working
• numerous discounts at leading retailers
• onsite gyms on all of our campus’ and a cycle to work scheme
• sector leading policies around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), paternity leave (up to six weeks full pay) and a new Fertility Treatment Policy
• stunning campus environments in Exeter and Cornwall, in the beautiful South West of England

Further information

Please contact Asif Tahir, [email protected].