Postdoctoral Research Associate in Advanced Materials

Manchester Metropolitan University; Manchester; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Join Manchester Metropolitan University as a Postdoctoral Research Associate, contributing to revolutionary research in materials science and surface engineering. You will be part of a multidisciplinary team focused on advancing industry collaboration for sustainable solutions in materials and manufacturing processes. The role offers opportunities for professional growth, and you will work with cutting-edge technologies within a vibrant academic environment committed to inclusivity and diversity.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in advanced materials sector, through research or employment.
• Ability to present results to diverse audiences.
• Team-oriented with enthusiasm for technology developments.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on materials and components for industrial partners.
• Characterize materials and test their performance and durability.

Skills

Materials characterization

Component fabrication

Collaboration with industrial partners

Education

PhD in materials science, materials engineering or related discipline

Tools

PVD techniques

SEM

EDX

XRD

XPS

Raman spectroscopy

AFM

Job description

Discover a place where you can advance and succeed. Manchester Metropolitan University has been proudly driving progress for more than 200 years. Ambitious, original and with a keen future-focus, we're an outstanding university for students and awarded Best-ever performance in NSS & TEF (Gold) & REF. Join us and be part of a world class team, committed to growth, innovation and transforming lives.

About the AMMIC team:

The Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMMIC) will extend and develop our approach to provide a supercluster of business-university innovation, through a key focus on advanced materials, additive manufacturing and sustainable development, including surface engineering, metamaterials and materials for ‘green' energy. We will address Greater Manchester's need for rapid development and rollout of sustainable solutions for a wide range of applications through providing a one port of call for innovation-ready businesses to access technological expertise and capacity building to embed and exploit these technologies for long-term growth. AMMIC will contribute to net zero, develop industry digital skills, improve efficiencies, and create increased international competitiveness in GM.

AMMIC brings together world leading research facilities and expertise to stimulate new investment in research and development (R&D) to address regional and national materials and manufacturing challenges. The AMMIC team will be undertaking a series of projects with industrial collaborators in the areas of:

• materials synthesis (e.g. PVD techniques, Metamaterials, etc.);
• digitalisation of processes through real-time data acquisition and analytics;
• component fabrication (additive manufacturing);
• characterisation (e.g. SEM, EDX, XRD, XPS, Raman spectroscopy, nanoindentation, AFM, etc.);
• and testing, e.g. wear testing, corrosion testing, performance and durability testing.

About the role:

AMMIC is inviting ambitious and talented individuals with a background in materials science/engineering/physics to apply to join our multidisciplinary research team as a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA), until 30th September 2028. The successful candidate will work within the Surface Engineering Laboratory at Manchester Metropolitan University. There will also be opportunities to work at our academic and industrial partners' facilities. The Surface Engineering Lab is equipped with state-of-the-art thin film deposition systems (magnetron sputtering), ranging from lab-scale to pilot production scale. We undertake the development of new functional films, characterisation of film properties and the optimisation of deposition processes. The Surface Engineering lab is co-located with the Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre and is home to electrochemists, materials scientists and engineers who use state-of-the-art electrochemical techniques to investigate materials and diagnostic tools for energy conversion and storage technologies.

As the PDRA, you will:

• Undertake research that accelerates innovation for our industrial partners, specifically produce, characterise and test materials and components and measure the performance and durability of materials and components relevant to our collaborators.
• Be proficient in the application of relevant equipment, software and techniques such as component and material fabrication (specifically via PVD techniques), materials characterisation (e.g. SEM, EDX, XRD, XPS, Raman spectroscopy, AFM, etc.), tribological testing, corrosion testing, and assessment of performance and durability data.

About You:

To succeed as the PDRA, you should;

• Hold a PhD in materials science, materials engineering or related discipline.
• Possess experience of industrial working practices in the advanced materials sector, either through collaborative research projects or direct employment.
• Have the ability to plan and prioritise research, identify research objectives, work collaboratively with project partners from academia and industry to deliver project outcomes.
• Have the ability to present results and findings, in writing and orally, to diverse audiences.
• Be a team-oriented researcher who is highly motivated and excited by materials and technology developments in the advanced materials and surface engineering field.
• Expertise in physical vapour deposition is desirable.

Please read the full job description and person specification for all essential and desirable selection criteria for the post.

Application Process:

• Please upload a CV and cover letter describing why you are applying to this position.
• Your cover letter should include a supporting statement explaining how you meet the “skills and attributes” listed above, in particular your experience of interacting with commercial partners.
• For informal queries, please contact Prof Peter Kelly on [e-mail]

We transform lives though outstanding research and excellent education. Change yours for the better with a career at our world leading university.

Manchester Metropolitan University fosters an inclusive culture of belonging that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. We value a diverse workforce for the innovation and diversity of thought it brings and welcome applications from local and international communities, particularly those from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQ+ individuals. We support a range of flexible working arrangements, including hybrid and tailored schedules, which can be discussed with your line manager. If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or in your role, please let us know so we can provide appropriate support. Our commitment to inclusivity includes mentoring programmes, accessibility resources, and professional development opportunities to empower and support underrepresented groups. Manchester Met is a Disability Confident Leader and, under this scheme, aims to offer an interview to disabled people who apply for the role and meet the essential criteria as listed in the attached Job Description for that vacancy.

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