Postdoctoral Research Associate in Condensed Matter Physics
3 days ago
Durham
Working at Durham University A globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a warm and friendly place to work, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other. As one of the UK's leading universities, Durham is an incredible place to define your career. The University is located within a beautiful historic city, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and surrounded by stunning countryside. Our talented scholars and researchers from around the world are tackling global issues and making a difference to people's lives. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things in the world. Being a part of Durham is about more than just the success of the University, it's also about contributing to the success of the city, county and community. Our University Strategy is built on three pillars of research, education and wider student experience, but also on our keen sense of community and of inspiring others to achieve their potential. Our Purpose and Values We want our University to be a place where people can be free to be themselves, no matter what their identity or background. Together, we celebrate difference, value one another and are each responsible for creating an inclusive community that is respectful and fair for all. Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page The Department The Department of Physics at Durham University is one of the leading UK Physics departments with an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching, research, and employability of our students. The Department is committed to advancing equality and we aim to ensure that our culture is inclusive, and that our systems support flexible and family-friendly working, as recognized by our Juno Champion and Athena SWAN Silver awards. We recognise and value the benefits of diversity throughout our staff and students. The Role A Postdoctoral Research Associate position is available to pursue experimental research in the field of complex magnetism within the Durham Condensed Matter Physics group. The position is associated with a new two-year Grant on "Advanced materials for next-generation spintronics: The deterministic control of altermagnets" funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The research builds upon our expertise in understanding and predicting novel magnetostructural coupling schemes in quantum materials. We employ theoretical analyses of crystal and magnetic symmetry, characterised experimentally by state-of-the-art synchrotron X-ray and neutron scattering experiments performed at large-scale national and international facilities. The post holder will work directly with Dr. Roger Johnson and other members of his research group within the Durham Condensed Matter Physics research section, and in collaboration with colleagues at the University of Warwick, University College London, and the XMaS beamline at the European Synchrotron Radiation Source, Grenoble, France. The recent discovery of altermagnetism marks a transformative leap in the potential application of antiferromagnets in spintronics. The goal of the research is to address a key scientific challenge before altermagnetic materials can be exploited in technologies of the future. The challenge is to find novel methods of deterministic antiferromagnetic domain control through the application of external fields that modify the underlying crystal symmetries. The postholders will be expected to display initiative and creativity in this endeavour, together with the appropriate skills and knowledge, required to work with Dr. Johnson and collaborators to deliver the research aims. These include (1) imaging altermagnetic domains through interference resonant X-ray diffraction, (2) establish novel methods of deterministic strain-gated altermagnetic domain switching under relatively small applied magnetic fields, and (3) democratise principles of best practice for the study of advanced materials under applied stress. The post holder is therefore expected to have experience and familiarity with scattering techniques employed at synchrotron X-ray and/or neutron facilities in the study of crystal and magnetic structures, ideally including the in-situ application of uniaxial strain to bulk single crystals. The post holder is expected to be able to work effectively both independently and as part of a small research team. It is expected that the post holder will enhance the international contacts of the group and wider impact of the research through the presentation of work at international conferences and exchange visits to our international project partner at the Advanced Photon Source, USA. The post holder will also have the opportunity to aid in the supervision of postgraduate research students within the group, contribute to the undergraduate teaching within the Department, and partake in public engagement activities and the publication of case studies. Key responsibilities: • To understand and convey material of a specialist or highly technical nature to the team or group of people through presentations and discussions that leads to the presentation of research papers in conferences and publications., • To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences which may include: research sponsors, academic and non-academic audiences., • To publish high quality outputs, including papers for submission to peer reviewed journals and papers for presentation at conferences and workshops under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder., • To assist with the development of research objectives and proposals., • To conduct individual and collaborative research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder., • To work with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and other colleagues in the research group, as appropriate, to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio., • To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and offering creative or innovative solutions., • To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration., • To plan and manage own research activity, research resources in collaboration with others and contribute to the planning of research projects., • To deliver training in research techniques/approaches to peers, visitors and students as appropriate., • To be involved in student supervision, as appropriate, and assist with the assessment of the knowledge of students., • To contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect., • To engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline., • To engage in continuing professional development by participation in the undergraduate or postgraduate teaching programmes or by membership of departmental committees, etc. and by attending relevant training and development courses. This post is fixed term for 18 months. The funding is available for this fixed period only, and the project is time limited and will end on 30/09/27. Hence, successful applicants should be in post by 1/04/26. The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols. Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by 1st April 2026. Working at Durham A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: • You'll receive 30 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 42 days per year., • We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS)., • No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance., • We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities., • We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme., • Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16., • Our family-friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers)., • We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community., • You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions., • Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits., • If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest-free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas. Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here. Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion Equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key component of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our Purpose and Values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It's important to us that all colleagues undertake activities that are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI. We welcome and encourage applications from those who are currently under-represented in our work force, including people with disabilities and from racially minoritised ethnic groups. If you have taken a career break or periods of leave that may have impacted on the volume and recency of your research outputs and other activities, such as maternity, adoption or parental leave, you may wish to disclose this in your application. The selection committee will take this into account when evaluating your application. The University has been awarded the Disability Confident Leader status. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.? Contact Information Department contact for academic-related enquiries For informal enquiries please contact Dr. Roger Johnson (email ). All enquiries will be treated in the strictest confidence. Contact information for technical difficulties when submitting your application If you encounter technical difficulties when using the online application form, we prefer you send enquiries by email. Please send your name along with a?brief description of the problem you're experiencing to? Alternatively, you may call 0191 334 6801 from the UK, or +44 191 334 6801 from outside the UK. This number operates during the hours of 09.00 and 17.00 Monday to Friday, UK time. We will normally respond within one working day (Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays). How to Apply To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification below. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria. While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview. Submitting your application We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates. What to Submit All applicants are asked to submit: • A CV detailing your education and research experience including publications. Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data. Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data. When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas. Person Specification Essential Criteria: Qualifications 1. A good first degree in physics., 3. Experience in conducting high quality academic research., 4. Demonstrable ability to write material of a quality commensurate with publication in highly-ranked journals., 5. Demonstrable ability to present research papers at meetings or conferences and communicate complex information to specialists and within the wider academic community., 6. Experience in the study of crystal and magnetic structures., 8. Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, including participating in research meetings., 9. Ability to work independently on own initiative and to strict deadlines., 10. Excellent oral and communication skills, including proven ability to write in English at a suitable standard for the preparation of written reports, publications and presentations of the work at generalist and specialist levels., 11. Skills relevant to the characterisation of crystal and magnetic structures by diffraction experiments at central facilities. Examples include; experiment design, successful beamtime proposal writing and application, sample alignment and preparation, planning and management of beam time experiment, facility-based scattering experiments, experimental data analysis using relevant computer software or developing bespoke computer programs, symmetry analysis by group and representation theories. Desirable Criteria - Experience 12. Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals, commensurate with stage of career. 13. Demonstrable ability to develop research proposals and designs in collaboration with other academics. 14. Experience of overseeing students with respect to the development of their practical/research skills e.g. acting as a demonstrator; supervising student projects/practicals. 15. Experience in the application of in-situ uniaxial strain to quantum materials.
