Vacancies

Vacancies:

Research Fellow in Coherent Diffraction Imaging

This exciting research post is part of the recently funded UKRI FLF project in the area of x-ray imaging of quantum materials. The aim is to utilise coherent diffraction imaging (CDI) techniques to study quantum phenomena in a range of multifunctional materials using our newly completed state-of-the-art in-house x-ray imaging facility and various synchrotron x-ray facilities. We have designed a novel pulsed laser deposition (PLD) system to automate the design and fabrication of nanoscale materials that permits rapid preparation and optimisation. Our current focus is on perovskite materials for energy efficient technologies and lithium-ion batteries.

You will utilise our facilities to synthesis and characterise materials for synchrotron experiments. We have developed cutting edge tools that include machine learning methods for analysis of data from synchrotron experiments. You will work as a team and jointly with our collaborators to prepare samples, attend synchrotron experiments and analyse the resulting data. Field work will initially take place at the Diamond Light Source in Oxford.

To be successful you will have a PhD* or equivalent professional qualifications and experience in one of the following Physics; Materials Science; Optoelectronics; Engineering or a related field along with knowledge of coherent x-ray diffraction imaging or related techniques. In addition, you will have experience of coherent x-ray diffraction imaging or related techniques and a good understanding of a scientific computing language such as Python.

This post is offered on a full-time, fixed term basis for 2 years due to funding requirements, with a possible extension to 4 years.

Apply now here.

Imaging Quantum Materials with an XFEL

Quantum materials can often exhibit novel and multifunctional properties due to strong coupling between lattice, charge, spin and orbital degrees of freedom. When perturbed into an excited state, non-equilibrium phases often emerge on the femtosecond timescale. They include light-induced superconductivity, terahertz-induced ferroelectricity and ultra-fast solid-phase structural transformations. Understanding non-equilibrium phases in quantum materials is of great interest for the development of next generation technologies and to better understand the underlying mechanisms. To further understand these hidden phases, tools to probe quantum materials with femto-second time-resolution are required.

X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL) facilities provide ultra-short pulses of coherent x-rays that make it possible to measure ultra-fast dynamics in quantum materials simultaneously with nanoscale spatial resolution and femto-second time resolution. While preliminary work has begun on the use of XFELs to study quantum behaviour in materials, there are a wide range of strongly correlated materials that exhibit novel behaviour that is not well understood.

This project will investigate strongly correlated phenomena in nanoscale quantum materials using time-resolved Bragg coherent diffraction imaging (CDI) at various XFEL facilities. Initial emphasis will reside on the study of structural phase changes in strongly correlated quantum materials such as vanadium dioxide but will continue to expand to other material systems throughout the duration of the project. The overarching goal is to directly observe atomic motions during the event of a quantum phase transition. The ability to quantitatively observe atomic motions within the transition state region where atoms exchange nuclear configurations will greatly facilitate our understanding of the physical processes.

This project is fully funded for 3.5 years, supervised by Dr Marcus Newton and will benefit from access to the European XFEL, Swiss XFEL, SACLA XFEL and PAL XFEL. A background in physics, materials science or inorganic chemistry is desirable but not essential.

Applications are invited online here. When completing the online form, Select "Programme type: Research", "Academic Year: 2023/24", "Faculty: Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering". Then select the "PhD Physics (Full time)" course title. Once logged on, in the supervisor name field, insert "Marcus Newton".