Research Fellow (104706-1021)

Vacancy Type/Job category
Research Only
Department
Chemistry
Salary
£31,406 - £40,927 per annum
Location
University of Warwick, Coventry.
Vacancy Overview
Full time, fixed term position for up to 19 months.
You will primarily carry out synthetic and characterisation work within the Senn Group focused on gaining a fundamental understanding of the microscopic mechanisms that can lead to ferroelectricity and the magnetoelectric effect. You will use a variety of solid-state synthesis techniques to prepare novel perovskite related systems, whose magnetic properties you will characterise. You will make use of lab and central facility-based powder diffraction techniques to evaluate microscopic atomic structures and spin orderings in the materials that you prepare, in order to evaluate if they are likely to be novel multiferroic candidate materials. Working with the team leader and theoretical collaborators, you will distil these findings to gain physical insight into the multiferroic coupling mechanisms.
You will have (or be near completion of) a PhD in Solid State Chemistry or Condensed Matter Physics, with an emphasis on the synthesis and characterisation of solid-state materials. You will have a proven track record in solid state synthesis, magnetic properties measurements, and powder diffraction methods, including substantial experience of Rietveld refinement. Prior experience in studying the structure-property relationship in ceramic materials is highly desirable and preference will be given to candidates who have a track record in studying ferroelectrics, multiferroics, magnetic systems and/or systems exhibiting electronic ordering phenomena.
You will be an excellent communicator capable of working effectively, both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team of researchers. You will possess excellent planning and time management skills. You will assist in the supervision of research students, in addition to ensuring your own research objectives are achieved effectively. You will prepare monthly presentations and regular written reports detailing your research progress and will participate in the preparation of research papers. You will present your research results at regular progress meetings involving collaborators, as well as at national and international conferences.
The University of Warwick and the Department of Chemistry provides a welcoming and 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.
For more information please contact Dr Mark Senn [email protected]
Job Description
JOB PURPOSE
To synthesise novel ceramic materials, and to evaluate their structures and magnetic and electronic properties.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. To carry out synthetic work to prepare novel multiferroic materials using a variety of solid-state synthesis techniques. This will include working with collaborators in France and Taiwan to conduct high pressure synthesis.
2. To carry out central facility experiments to determine microscopic magnetoelectric and ferroelectric ordering mechanisms, working outside core hours and at weekends where necessary.
3. To lead in the analysis of the crystallographic data and provide regular oral and written reports on the progress.
4. To identify appropriate follow-on central facility experiments and to lead in the preparation of beam time proposals.
5. To take responsibility for organising and coordinating trips to central facilities, including assisting in central facility experiments not directly related to the research project.
6. To communicate findings to project partners and collaborators via written and oral reports.
7. To contribute to the preparation of manuscripts for publication.
8. To contribute to and assist in the running of weekly group meetings.
9. To assist in the supervision and training of research students.
10. To undertake visits to our collaborators specialising in high pressure synthesis and DFT calculations, and to keep them up to date with project developments.
11. To present results in verbal, written and poster formats within the department, to project partners, and at national and international conferences.
12. Any other duties commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility of this post, for which the post holder has the necessary experience and/or training.

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
PhD (or near completion) in Solid State Chemistry or Condensed Matter Physics with an emphasis on microscopic structure characterisation (a)
Essential Criteria 2
A track record in research demonstrating advanced solid state synthesis methods and characterisation of the structure and physical properties of polycrystalline materials. (a) (c) (d)
Essential Criteria 3
Ability to problem solve and apply new experimental techniques and data analysis procedures in innovative ways. (a) (c) (d)
Essential Criteria 4
Ability to work across an interdisciplinary team of experimentalists, theorists, physicists, and chemists. (c)
Essential Criteria 5
Ability to present results of research to a wide variety of audiences through verbal and written presentations (a) (c) (d)
Essential Criteria 6
Ability to initiate, plan, implement and deliver programmes of research work to defined deadlines (a) (c)
Essential Criteria 7
Ability to present results in a written form to publication standard. (a)
Essential Criteria 8
An ability to work collaboratively and effectively with academic and administrative colleagues, and with colleagues outside the University to promote collegiality. (c)
Desirable Criteria 1
Experience of working on magnetoelectric, magnetic or orbitally ordered systems (a) (c)
Desirable Criteria 2
Experience of studying phase transitions (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 .
This project is funded as part of a 3-year EPSRC grant entitled: “Novel multiferroics perovskites through systematic design” (EP/S027106/1).
You will work within the Senn group in the Chemistry Department of the Warwick University that is based in the interdisciplinary Materials and Analytical Science building. As well as state of the art laboratory diffraction equipment available to the group through the Research Technology Platform in X-ray diffraction, the group enjoys monthly access to high resolution powder diffraction beamline at Diamond Light Source, as well as regularly securing time at Diamond, ISIS and the ESRF via the standard access routes.
The Senn group is focused primarily on using crystallographic methods and symmetry analysis to study the structure property-relationship in solid state materials. We have active research projects in the area of ferroelectrics, orbital order, magnetoelectrics, high pressure crystallography, superconductivity and negative thermal expansion materials. The group currently consists of six PhD students and one research fellow and has an active portfolio of grants worth £1.5M. Please visit www.senngroup.com to find out more.
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 (£30,497). 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 (£31,406).
What we offer
We will provide you with a great range of benefits, which include an attractive pension scheme, 26 (Level 2 to 5) or 30 (Level 6 to 9) days’ holiday plus Christmas closure, excellent learning and development opportunities, and savings on a wide range of products and services. We offer a generous maternity/paternity/adoption/parental leave policy, onsite childcare facilities. We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer you access to flexible working, for more information visit our Rewards and Benefits webpage.
We also have an excellent relocation package; to assess whether you may be entitled, please see details on the following page
https://warwick.ac.uk/services/humanresources/vacancies/relocation/.
Athena SWAN Silver Award
We are committed to supporting staff to achieve their potential. Both the Department of Chemistry and the University of Warwick hold Athena SWAN silver awards, a national initiative that recognises the advancement of gender equality, representation, progression, and success for all in academia. We provide a welcoming and inclusive working and learning environment, recognising that everyone is different in a variety of visible and non-visible ways, and that those differences are to be recognised, respected, and valued. We welcome applications from individuals who identify with any of the protected characteristics defined by the Equality Act 2010. We are supportive of staff with caring responsibilities.

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
21 Nov 2021