Research Associate in Metallurgy and Materials Characterisation

Overview

The University of Sheffield is seeking a Research Associate in Metallurgy and Materials Characterisation to join an ambitious, ARIA-funded programme developing rare-earth-free permanent magnets through protein-programmed manufacturing. Working within an interdisciplinary consortium spanning Imperial College London, Change Bio and the University of Sheffield, you will lead the Sheffield contribution to the project, converting protein-templated magnetic nanomaterials into dense, anisotropic bulk composites and characterising their structure and performance.

You will be based in the School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering, working with Professors Iain Todd Kathy Christofidou, and will draw on Sheffield's metallurgical processing and characterisation infrastructure, including field assisted sintering, additive manufacturing, powder X-ray diffraction, atomic force and electron microscopy and magnetic measurement facilities.

The role centres on manufacturing routes for novel nanostructured magnetic materials, and on diffraction-based characterisation to track phase, crystal structure and microstructural order through processing. You will work closely with partners at Imperial College London and Change Bio, feeding characterisation data back into the project's design-build-test-learn cycle, and will contribute to milestone reporting and Go/No-Go decisions across the 36-month programme.

This is an excellent opportunity for a metallurgist or materials scientist with strong diffraction and processing expertise to work at the interface of protein engineering, inorganic chemistry and advanced manufacturing, on a high-profile programme with a clear route to real-world application.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Lead the preparation, processing and consolidation of protein-templated mineral and nanoparticle materials into bulk anisotropic magnetic composites, using low-temperature fixation, spark plasma sintering and related manufacturing routes.

• Design and conduct diffraction-based characterisation, principally powder X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement, to determine phase identity, crystal structure and microstructural order before and after processing.

• Carry out complementary microstructural characterisation using electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy.

• Support magnetic characterisation of processed samples using SQUID and vibrating sample magnetometry, working with colleagues across the consortium.

• Evaluate candidate manufacturing routes, including sintering and printing-based approaches, for their compatibility with scale-up, reproducibility and downstream manufacturability.

• Maintain accurate experimental records and contribute processing and characterisation data to the project's shared data and decision-log systems.

• Collaborate closely with project partners at Imperial College London and Change Bio, participating in design-build-test-learn review cycles, technical stand-ups and quarterly project meetings.

• Contribute to milestone reporting, Go/No-Go assessments and the manufacturability and techno-economic evaluation of candidate materials routes.

• Present research findings at internal meetings, project reviews and, where appropriate, external conferences, and contribute to resulting publications and intellectual property.

• Contribute to the wider research culture of the School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering and the Royce Institute, including supervision of student projects where appropriate.

• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

Essential or desirable

Stage(s) assessed at

A PhD (or near completion) in Metallurgy, Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry or a related discipline

Essential

Application

Demonstrable research experience in materials characterisation using X-ray diffraction techniques, including phase identification and strain analysis. 

Essential

Application/Interview

Practical knowledge of metallurgical processing and manufacturing routes, for example sintering, powder consolidation or additive manufacturing

Essential

Application/Interview

Experience with electron microscopy (SEM and/or TEM) for microstructural characterisation of metals, ceramics or composite materials

Essential

Application/Interview

Ability to plan, execute and interpret experimental work independently, with sound record-keeping and data management practice

Essential

Application/Interview

Strong written and verbal communication skills, evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, technical reports or presentations

Essential

Application/Interview

Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary, multi-site consortium and to collaborate with partners from different scientific backgrounds

Essential

Interview

Good organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to work to project milestones and deadlines

Essential

Interview

Experience or demonstrable interest in the manufacturing and processing of magnetic materials, and/or scale-up of novel materials-processing routes

Desirable

Application/Interview

Experience with advanced or in-situ diffraction methods, for example synchrotron or neutron diffraction

Desirable

Application/Interview

Further Information

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in late September 2026. This will consist of an interview, including a short research presentation, and may include a tour of departmental facilities. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection as soon as possible following the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact [email protected] .

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.