Research Fellow, School of Mathematics and Physics

Updated: 3 months ago
Location: Belfast, NORTHERN IRELAND
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: 02 Feb 2024

Application closing date: 12/02/2024
Salary: £37,841 - £40,134 per annum
Job category/type: Research

The School of Mathematics & Physics at Queen’s University Belfast, is currently seeking to appoint a Research Fellow to model the dielectric and transport properties of highly excited insulators and water, from first principles.

Outcomes of the modelling are expected to contribute to the interpretation of ongoing and future experiments which use ultra-short proton pulses to investigate the role of nanoscale inhomogeneity on the post-irradiation energy transport and opacity (New J. Phys. 22 103023 2020). This is a novel experimental technique with a unique capability to access the ultrafast electronic and lattice dynamics in the bulk of a transparent insulator.

The research will be carried out as a part of the EPSRC “Ultrafast Nanodosimetry” project (EP/W017245/1) led by Prof. B. Dromey at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB). The modelling part will be co-ordinated by Dr Lorenzo Stella, also at QUB.

The successful candidate must have, and your application should clearly demonstrate you:

  • Have or are about to obtain a PhD in Physics, Chemistry, Material Science, or closely related discipline. (NB ‘about to obtain’ is normally defined as within 3 months of application date)
  • Have specific relevant research experience to include:
    • Working knowledge of condensed matter physics.
    • Working knowledge of transport properties of materials.
    • A proven track record of performing first principles modelling of condensed matter, g., using density functional theory (DFT).
    • Experience performing original research, demonstrated through a record of original publications in top-tier journals and conference papers and presentations commensurate with stage of career.

Please note the above are not an exhaustive list. For further information about the role including the essential and desirable criteria please click on the Candidate Information link below.

This post is available on a fixed term contract for 24 months. Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.

At Queen’s our people are at the heart of everything we do. As a staff member you will become part of a vibrant organisational culture, which will provide you with the opportunity to achieve your full potential and enhance your career through a continuous focus on learning and development.

We offer an excellent employment package that includes:

  • Great terms & conditions
  • Pension schemes
  • Flexible working by enabling you to design your working week in collaboration with your manager through a blend of remote and office working
  • Family-friendly initiatives
  • Career development opportunities
  • Support for health & mental wellbeing
  • Generous holiday entitlement of 8.4 weeks a year (made up of 23 days annual leave, 10 closure days and 9 bank holidays)

Queen’s University is committed to promoting equality of opportunity to all. We have created an inclusive culture by establishing staff networks such as iRise  (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International Staff Network) and PRISM  (LGBTQ+) which help us progress equality.

We also subscribe to Equality Charter Marks such as the Diversity Charter Mark NI in addition to Athena Swan. For further information on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion please visit:  www.qub.ac.uk/diversity ; www.qub.ac.uk/qgi  and www.qub.ac.uk/sites/StaffGateway/StaffNetworks/

Informal enquiries may be directed to Dr Lorenzo Stella [email protected]

Candidate Information

About the Centre

Attractive Reward Package

Further Information for International Applicants



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