Research Fellow (2 Posts), School of Mathematics and Physics

To act as a post-doctoral research fellow within the US-Ireland Centre-to-Centre programme “Ultra-Low Energy Electric Field Control
of Nonvolatile Magnetoelectric Memory Devices” in the Centre for Nanostructured Media in the School of Mathematics and Physics.
The post holders will assist in the development of research proposals and the planning and delivery of research activity so that the
overall research objective of achieving low-energy electric-field control of novel magneto-electric heterostructures, with applications in
memory and computing, can be met.

MAJOR DUTIES:

1. Experimental materials characterisation of ferroelectric, magnetic or multiferroic samples and devices within the Ultra-Low
Energy Electric Field Control of Nonvolatile Magnetoelectric Memory Devices project.
2. Specimen preparation and structural characterisation using electron-microscopy techniques (SEM, TEM & FIB) on thin film
multilayer samples and devices.
3. Magnetic characterisation using SQUID magnetometery and VSM of magnetic samples.
4. In addition, apply other standard characterisation techniques such as XRD and AFM if considered necessary.
5. Preparation and presentation of results in video conferencing with project partners and at national/international conferences and
workshops as required or as opportunity arises.
6. Contribute to writing of papers for publication and of reports as necessary.
7. Identify further funding opportunities to consolidate the group’s research and prepare outline proposals.
8. Assist with project-related outreach activities as required.
9. Read academic papers, journals and textbooks to keep abreast of developments in own specialism and related disciplines.

Planning and Organising:
1. Ability to undertake day-to-day responsibility in running dedicated laboratory facilities, including own day-to day activity within
framework of the agreed research programme.
2. Plan the use and scheduling of research resources, laboratories and workshops where appropriate with particular emphasis on
forward planning ability in relation to technical support.
3. Plan details of research programme, particularly in relation to design and provision of samples within the partnership.
4. Ability to plan and organise in order to meet reporting/dissemination deadlines.
5. Coordinate and liaise with other members of the research group over work progress, including US and RoI partners.

Resource Management Responsibilities:
1. Ensure research resources are used in an effective and efficient manner.
2. Provide guidance as required to support staff and any students who may be assisting with research.
3. Manage consumables budget within project, including regular interaction with/briefing of QUB project leader.

Internal and External Relationships:
1. Interact on a regular basis with Centre-to-Centre partners and build good working relationships.
2. Assist with supervision of and liaise with PhD students and project student in the lab as required.
3. Establish good working relationship with technical and other support staff.
4. Build internal contacts and participate in internal networks for the exchange of information and to form relationships for future collaboration.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

1. Have or be about to obtain a relevant PhD.
2. At least 3 years relevant research experience.
3. Good publication record commensurate with stage in career.
4. Ability to contribute to broader management and administrative processes.
5. Expertise in materials characterisation techniques, which must include either electron microscopy techniques or magnetic
characterisation techniques.
6. Ability to communicate complex information clearly.
7. Ability and willingness to build contacts and participate in internal and external networks.
8. Demonstrable intellectual ability.
9. Ability to assess and organise resources.
10. Ability and willingness to collaborate in satellite projects.
11. Ability and willingness to work as part of a team.
12. Ability and willingness to travel to partner institutions and scientific meetings.
13. This is a tri-partner project, and it is expected that the person taking up this job will work closely with the other partners, at
CRANN in Dublin and TANMS in California, including research visits and project meetings.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA:

1. Have or be about to obtain a relevant PhD in a closely related area.
2. Experience in multiferroics research.
3. Experience in leading writing of papers published in high quality scientific journals.
4. Contribute to the School’s outreach programme by links with industry, community groups etc.
5. Expertise in multiple materials characterisation techniques, with extra preference for electron microscopy techniques, including
sample preparation, and magnetic characterisation techniques.
6. Experience of thin film growth.
7. Experience of device testing.
8. Ability to communicate effectively with other disciplines.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The UltraLowEMM project seeks to establish an interdisciplinary research partnership between the SFI-funded Advanced Materials
and BioEngineering Research (AMBER) Center, the NSF-funded Nanosystems Engineering Research Center (ERC) for Translational
Applications of Nanoscale Multiferroic Systems (TANMS), and the DELNI-funded Centre for Nanostructured Media (CNM). The goal
of the collaboration is that of achieving low-energy electric-field control of novel magneto-electric heterostructures, with applications in
memory and computing. The CNM contribution is centred around materials characterisation, but there is scope for the post-doctoral
fellows appointed to work on this project to expand this into fabrication and device testing, based on interest and ability.