Research Fellow in X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy Analysis of Functional Ceramics

The team at the University of Leeds leads on the EPSRC-funded research project ‘Analysis of Polar Structure in High Temperature Relaxor Dielectrics: a Framework for Materials Discovery’.

The project seeks to understand how specific changes to polar nanostructure bring about stable relative permittivity over wide ranges of temperature, extending to upper limits of ≥ 300°C in compositionally modified relaxor ferroelectric perovskite ceramics. The ultimate goal of the project is to use the knowledge of polar structures obtained by analysis of techniques sensitive to local structure, most notably X-ray Absorption Fine-Structure Spectroscopy, to develop an understanding of underlying structure-property mechanisms in order to fabricate improved, high temperature dielectrics with capacitor device standard performance.

Holding a PhD (or close to completion) in a physical science or engineering subject, you will have a track record of published research using advanced X-ray characterisation of the solid state, ideally including analysis with X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) measurements, with hands-on experience of both near-edge (XANES) and extended fine-structure (EXAFS) data interpretation. The role will involve regular national travel for up to two consecutive weekdays for meetings with the research partners, and several times a year for longer duration (up to two weeks at a time) for research at central facilities, or with collaborators, both nationally and internationally.

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:

Professor Sven L. M. Schroeder, Bragg Centenary Chair in Engineering Applications of Synchrotron Radiation

Tel: +44 (0) 113 343 2401 or email: s.l.m.schroeder@leeds.ac.uk

or

Dr Steven Milne, School of Chemical and Process Engineering

Tel: +44 (0) 113 343 2539 or email: s.j.milne@leeds.ac.uk

Further information

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