Post Doctoral Research Associate Defective Graphene

As standard this role requires a fully onsite working arrangement.

Diamond Light Source is the UK’s national synchrotron science facility. Located on the Harwell Science & Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire, a 20-minute drive south of Oxford, Diamond generates brilliant beams of light from infra‑red to X‑rays which are used to conduct world‑class academic and industry research and development across a broad range of scientific disciplines including structural biology, physics, chemistry, materials science, engineering, and environmental sciences.

We are seeking a suitable candidate for a post‑doctoral research associate role at Beamline I09 for a 2‑year fixed term contract. The successful candidate will primarily study the growth of graphene with deliberately included defects and, using the state‑of‑the‑art facilities at Diamond Light Source and other facilities, fundamentally characterise the physical and chemical properties of these defect sites, with a specific focus on surface structure determination using synchrotron techniques such as X‑ray standing waves (XSW), near‑edge X‑ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) and X‑ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

An associated offline lab will also be available for sample preparation and for performing lab‑based XPS, scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) and temperature programmed desorption (TPD). This research is built upon an ongoing collaboration with the University of Nottingham, in particular the group of Dr. David

A. Duncan, the University of Warwick and Queen Mary University of London. The selected candidate will be expected to participate in the supervision of PhD students associated with the beamline on related projects. The post holder will be required to work with the beamline team and participate in user support and the development of offline research capabilities, and expected to develop their own research portfolio, contribute to the drafting of beamtime proposals for their primary projects and participate in beamtimes at Diamond or other light sources.

You will have a PhD in physics, chemistry, or an associated topic.

Suitable candidates should be familiar with the use of ultra‑high vacuum equipment and experienced in XPS, surface science and / or 2D materials research and drafting scientific articles. Prior experience in related surface science techniques (e.g., XSW, NEXAFS, STM and TPD), computer programming for data analysis, growth of organic ultrathin films and exploiting large central facilities (especially synchrotron light sources) will be looked upon favourably.

Diamond offers an exceptional benefits package to support staff in achieving a positive work/life balance. This includes 26 days annual leave plus Christmas closure, public holidays, 2 annual volunteering days and flexible working hours. We also offer an excellent defined benefit pension scheme. Staff also have access to a range of amenities on site including a nursery, cafes, a restaurant and sports and leisure facilities.

A relocation allowance may also be available where applicable.

Please use the online application process to apply and tell us why you believe you are suitable for this role.

The closing date for applications is 1st February.