Research Assistant/Associate in Emulsion Templating of Battery Materials (Fixed Term)

CamWebDir; Cambridge; Remote; GBP 33,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Cambridge is seeking an experimental postdoctoral researcher in the NanoManufacturing group of the Department of Engineering. The role focuses on creating architected materials through protein-guided assembly in micro-emulsion templates and evaluating them in Li-ion batteries.

The candidate will develop droplet generation tools such as membrane emulsification and ink-jet printing, collaborating with teams in Cambridge, Liverpool and the Netherlands.

Qualifications

• PhD or near completion is required.
• Experience in emulsion-templating or colloidal self-assembly is desirable.
• Experience related to Li-ion battery materials is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Develop architected materials using protein guided assembly in micro-emulsion templates.
• Evaluate structured materials in Li-ion batteries.
• Develop scalable droplet-generation tools like membrane emulsification and ink-jet printing.

Skills

Emulsion templating

Colloidal self-assembly

Li-ion battery context

Protein guided assembly

Education

PhD or near PhD

Tools

Membrane emulsification

Ink-jet printing

Job description

# Research Assistant/Associate in Emulsion Templating of Battery Materials (Fixed Term)UUniversity of CambridgeCB2 1TNvia University of CambridgePosted 8 Oct 2026Apply on cam.ac.uk →Applications are invited for an experimental postdoctoral researcher to create architected materials using protein guided assembly in micro-emulsion templates. The researcher will be part of the NanoManufacturing group in the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge (http://www.nanomanufacturing.eng.cam.ac.uk/), which looks at various aspects of nanotechnology and manufacturing processes as well as energy storage systems. This work will be carried out in close collaboration with other leading research teams in Cambridge as well as Liverpool and the Netherlands. Collaborating with these groups will create a stimulating work environment with exciting opportunities for personal development and learning about different fields of research. This is a diverse team that values collaboration, scientific excellence and research integrity and the project's goal is to reduce our reliance on rare earths and critical minerals in Li-Ion battery cathodes and magnets.The selected candidate will play a key role in the development of scalable droplet generation tools such as membrane emulsification and ink-jet printing as templates for protein guided assembly and bio-mineralisation. These structured materials will then be evaluated in Li-ion batteries, which is a research area in which the host group specialises. We will consider candidates with various research backgrounds including physical chemistry, engineering and material science. We are particularly interested in candidates with experience in emulsion-templating, colloidal self-assembly, and/or Li-ion batteries. Applicants are required to have a PhD or being close to obtaining a PhD.Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD.Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will be appointed at Research Assistant level, which will be amended to Research Associate once the PhD has been awarded.Salary Ranges: Research Assistant: £33,002 - £35,608 Research Associate: £37,694 - £46,049Fixed-term: The funding is for 18 months or through until 01/03/2028, whichever of these comes soonest.Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.Please ensure that you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a covering letter and your 2 best papers in the Upload section of the online application. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application. Please submit your application by midnight on the closing date.If you have any questions about this vacancy please contact Holly Shaw, [e-mail] quote reference NM51354 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.