Research Fellow (104582-1021)

Updated: over 2 years ago
Location: Warwick, ENGLAND
Deadline: 26 Oct 2021

Vacancy Type/Job category
Research Only
Department
Physics
Salary
£31,406 - £40,927 per annum
Location
University of Warwick, Coventry.
Vacancy Overview
Full time, fixed term position for 12 months.
The Department of Physics seeks to appoint a Research Fellow to support experimental activities in the Diamond Research Group as well as wider collaborations with other university research groups (both at Warwick and other institutions), the Spectroscopy Research Technology Platform (RTP) and industrial collaborators.
Current research programmes are focused on (i) understanding, controlling and exploiting the properties of colour centres and dopant atoms in diamond; (ii) developing quantum and classical sensors that exploit the extreme and unique combination of properties offered by diamond; (iii) developing and applying processing, functionalisation, and micro- and nano-fabrication techniques suitable for diamond, and; (iv) developing new techniques in magnetic and optical spectroscopy.
The research group makes use of a wide variety of microscopic and spectroscopic techniques including, but not limited to, optical absorption, photoluminescence, thermoluminescence, phosphorescence, cathodoluminescence, electron paramagnetic resonance (continuous wave, rapid-scan and pulsed), optically detected magnetic resonance (ensemble and single centre) and hybrid techniques where perturbations such as stress and electric fields are used to probe electronic structure and control quantum systems.
A diverse range of material processing methods including electron irradiation, ion implantation, femto-second laser machining and rapid thermal annealing are used to introduce or modify functional defects in diamond; we also employ fabrication techniques such as nano-second laser machining, mechanical polishing, etching, lithography and metal/insulator deposition to produce samples configured for experimental study as well as prototype diamond devices.
Applicants should possess or be very close to obtaining a doctorate in physics, chemistry, engineering, material science or a related field and have a background appropriate for addressing the challenges described above. Good communication skills and inter-personal skills are essential. You must be capable of working within a broader research team, demonstrating excellent written and verbal communication skills, and maintaining a current knowledge of the academic literature and industrial exploitation landscape.
If you have not yet been awarded your PhD but are near submission or have recently submitted your PhD, any offers of employment will be made as Research Assistant on level 5 of the University grade structure. Upon successful award of your PhD and evidence of this fact, you will be promoted to Research Fellow on the first point of the level 6 of the University grade structure.
Please direct all informal inquiries to Professor Mark Newton ([email protected])
Interview Date: 1 November 2021
Job Description
JOB PURPOSE
The post holder will support experimental activities in the Diamond Research Group. This will involve working closely with PhD students, postdoctoral research fellows, academic/technical staff, industrial collaborators and visitors primarily utilizing a wide variety of experimental microscopic and spectroscopic techniques (e.g. optical absorption, photoluminescence, thermoluminescence, phosphorescence, cathodoluminescence, continuous wave, rapid-scan and pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance, optically detected magnetic resonance and hybrid techniques where perturbations such as stress and electric fields are used to probe electronic structure and control quantum systems).
The post holder will take an active role in contributing to data analysis, fitting and interpretation, reviewing and updating laboratory risk assessments and standard operating procedures in collaboration with academic staff and the Spectroscopy Research Technology Platform manager. It is expected that the post holder will contribute or lead the writing of papers, reports and grant applications.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Coordinate and deliver experimental research on diamond utilizing a wide variety of microscopic and spectroscopic experimental techniques.
2. Coordinate development of new and improved experimental techniques.
3. Contribute to the analysis, fitting and interpretation of experimental data, and to the development of improved software tools for data manipulation, processing and analysis.
4. Work closely with PhD students, postdoctoral research fellows, academic/technical staff, industrial collaborators and visitors to ensure that work is completed in a timely fashion and to the highest possible levels of accuracy.
5. Manage interactions with external academic and industrial partners to facilitate rapid delivery of research objectives and impact.
6. Communicate the outputs of the research through reports, papers and presentations at conferences, workshops, and meetings.
7. Take a leading role in writing and preparing manuscripts describing the research for publication in academic journals.
8. Take a leading role in collating information for and writing funding grant applications.
9. Contribute to the review and updating of laboratory risk assessments and standard operating procedures.
The duties and responsibilities outlined are not intended to be an exhaustive list but rather to provide guidance on the main aspects of the post. The post-holder will be required to be flexible in his or her duties.

Person Specification

The Person Specification focuses on the knowledge, skills, experience and qualifications required to undertake the role effectively. This is measured by (a) Application Form, (b) Test/Exercise, (c) Interview, (d) Presentation.


Essential Criteria 1
Possess, or be very close to obtaining a PhD in physics, chemistry or a related field. (a)
Essential Criteria 2
Experience of several experimental spectroscopic techniques for studying and identifying colour centres in diamond or other material systems. (a, c)
Essential Criteria 3
Experience in the analysis and interpretation of spectroscopic data (a, c) .
Essential Criteria 4
Demonstrated ability of high-quality independent scientific writing (a, c), analytic (b, d) and presentation skills (d). Shortlisted candidates will be asked to give a brief presentation on their own research. (a, c)
Essential Criteria 5
Good organisational skills. (a, c)
Essential Criteria 6
Willingness to contribute to the supervision of PhD and Masters students research projects. (a, c)
Essential Criteria 7
Good communication and inter-personal skills. (a, c)
Essential Criteria 8
Demonstrated ability to work in a team. (a, c)
Essential Criteria 9
An understanding of equal opportunity issues as they may impact on areas of research content. (a), (c)
Desirable Criteria 1
Experience in programming for both data manipulation/analysis and instrumentation integration/control. (a, c)
Desirable Criteria 2
Experience in instrumentation design and manufacture (e.g. mechanical, optical, electronic, additive manufacture, etc.). (a, c)
Desirable Criteria 3
Experience in micro- and nanoscale surface characterisation techniques including SEM, AFM (a, c)
Desirable Criteria 4
Demonstrated ability to manage collaborations with academic and industrial partners. (a, c)
Further Particulars
For further information about the University of Warwick, please read our University Further Particulars .
For further information about the department, please visit the departmental website .
The Physics Department and the University of Warwick are proud of their diverse community of staff, students, and visitors, and are committed to maintaining an excellent record in teaching and research by ensuring that there is equality of opportunity for all, fostered in an environment of mutual respect and dignity.
Both the Physics Department and the University of Warwick hold Athena SWAN Silver awards, a national initiative to promote gender equality for all staff and students. The Physics Department is also a Juno Champion, which is an award from the Institute of Physics to recognise our efforts to address the under-representation of women in university physics and to encourage better practice for both women and men.
Further information can be found at www.warwick.ac.uk/physics/staff/working/.
The University supports flexible working and requests for job-share will be considered where possible.
Childcare can be provided for you at the University of Warwick Nursery (www.warwick.ac.uk/services/childrensservices/nursery) in order for you to attend the interview. Childcare is subject to availability of places at the Nursery.

Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy

As an organisation using the (DBS) Disclosure and Barring Service to assess applicants’ suitability for positions of trust, the University of Warwick complies with the DBS Code of Practice and undertakes not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a Disclosure on the basis of a conviction or other information revealed. More information is available on the University’s Vacancy pages and applicants may request a copy of the DBS Code of Practice.


Other Information
Right to work in the UK
If you do not yet have the right to work in the UK and/ or are seeking sponsorship under for a Skilled Worker visa in the UK points-based immigration system
please click on this link which contains further information about obtaining right to work in the UK and details about eligibility for sponsorship for a Skilled Worker Visa.
The University of Warwick provides an inclusive working and learning environment, recognising and respecting every individual’s differences. We welcome applications from individuals who identify with any of the protected characteristics defined by the Equality Act 2010.
Closing Date
26 Oct 2021

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