Job description

Job summary

Applications are invited for enthusiastic individuals with experience in nanophotonics, plasmonics, chemical physics and/or nanofabrication to join our research team in the Experimental Solid State Group in the Department of Physics at Imperial College London. The successful candidate will be part of our Catalytic Plasmonics (CPLAS) research programme. CPLAS aims to transform the field of chemical catalysis by combining the reaction-promoting physics of hot electrons in metals with the chemistry of photo-catalysis. The transformative impact of this new field of plasmocatalysis will lie in a significant reduction of energy requirements in key reactions in energy conversion, environmental protection, and pharmaceutical synthesis, with exquisite control of reaction pathways via optical means. This interdisciplinary research programme combines the skills of physicists, materials scientists, and chemists from across Imperial College London, King’s College London, and the UK Catalysis Hub including the Universities of Cardiff, Bath and Manchester.

The physics team are aiming to understanding photocatalysis with plasmonic nanomaterials.  development of multiscale hetero-nanomaterials for predictable plasmocatalysis and broadband sunlight harvesting, combining experiment with new modelling approaches within an AI framework; modelling and experimental optimisation of molecular interactions with plasmonic hetero-nanomaterials, including carrier dynamics and energy levels modification.

Duties and responsibilities

The post holder will contribute to independent and original research within the Experimental Solid-State Physics Group, submit publications to refereed journals and assist with the administration of the Research Group. You will be self-motivated and be able to work alongside and aid graduate students. Interdisciplinary research and collaboration with theoreticians in other groups of the Department of Physics is an important aspect of this project.

Essential requirements

You will have a PhD (or equivalent) in Physical Science or a closely related discipline

In addition to the above, it is essential to the project that you are able to demonstrate:

• Experience of publishing in high impact research journals commensurate with career stage
• Experience in nanophotonics, plasmonics and/or metamaterials
• Experience of microscopy and spectroscopy experiments including instrumentation control

In addition, experience in the following areas is desirable

• Nanofabrication
• Ultrafast spectroscopy
• Computational and Analytical electromagnetic modelling
• Chemical physics

You will be self-motivated and capable of carrying out a complex research programme and be able to work alongside and aid graduate students. This project involves a high degree of teamwork and interdisciplinary research. Collaboration with theoreticians in other groups of the Physics Department is an important part of this project and consequently you will have good communication and project management skills.

Further information

More information about the Department of Physics, the Experimental Solid State Physics and the staff benefits that we offer can be found on our webpages.

This post is available for up to 24 months with an anticipated start date around November 2022 (negotiable).

*Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant within the salary range £36,694- £39,888 per annum.

Queries relating to the position should be directed to Prof. Stefan Maier, email s.maier@imperial.ac.uk, and Prof. Rupert Oulton (R.Oulton@imperial.ac.uk).

Should you have any queries regarding the application process please contact Mrs Juraci Didone, Section Administrator, email: j.didone@imperial.ac.uk

For technical issues when applying online, please contact: recruitment@imperial.ac.uk.

For technical issues when applying online, please contact: recruitment@imperial.ac.uk.

Documents

• Job Description - Research Associate in Catalytic Plasmonics.pdf