Research Assistant / Research Associate in High Pressure Physics x 2 (Fixed Term)

(Fixed Term)

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 2 years in the first instance, with the potential of extending for a further year (subject to funding).

Applications are sought for up to two Schmidt Research Associate positions in the Department of Physics, University of Cambridge. The positions in the group of Prof. Suchitra Sebastian (www. quantum-materials.phy.cam.ac.uk) are funded through a Schmidt Polymath Award https: // www. schmidtfutures.com/our- work/schmidt-science-polymaths/.)

The project will involve the study of correlated electron materials of interest including unconventional superconductors and unconventional insulators under high-applied pressures, low temperatures, and high magnetic fields. The role will include designing and preparing of diamond anvil pressure cells and / or cubic anvil pressure cells to perform low temperature electrical resistivity measurements on various materials under high hydrostatic pressures above 10 GPa. These high pressure conditions will be combined with facilities offering low temperatures down to 10 mK and high magnetic fields up to 22T in the laboratories of Prof. Suchitra Sebastian at the Maxwell Centre, Department of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge, UK, and Prof. Katsuya Shimizu at the Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, Japan.

Work will be performed across locations in Osaka and Cambridge. Measurements under the most extreme conditions will involve travel to international facilities. Analysis and interpretation of high pressure measurements, often within collaborations, will be performed for publication in scientific research journals.

Applicants will have a PhD (or close to obtaining) in Physics or Engineering, or equivalent scientific background. Candidates should have demonstrable understanding of correlated electron physics in various materials, cryogenic knowledge, experience of designing and preparing transport measurements in diamond anvil cells and / or cubic anvil pressure cells under hydrostatic applied pressures above 10 GPa. Candidates should be able to design and prepare diamond anvil pressure cells to reach high- pressures under hydrostatic conditions, and conduct low temperature measurements of electrical resistivity to be performed on various materials under high-hydrostatic pressures.

Research Associate: £36,024 - £40,521 (Grade 7). Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will initially be appointed as a Research Assistant (Grade 5, Point 38 - £32,982) moving to Research Associate (Grade 7) upon confirmation of your PhD award.

Dates: Starting date is flexible, from March 2024 or later.

Location: The post holder will be located 6-8 months per year in the group of Prof. Suchitra Sebastian, Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, Cambridge. For the remaining 4-6 months per year the post holder will be located in the group of Prof. Katsuya Shimizu, School of Engineering Science, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka, Japan.

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), covering letter and reference letters 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 Prof. Suchitra Sebastian ([email protected].). If you have any questions about the application process, please contact [email protected].

Please quote reference KA40021 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Department of Physics, West Cambridge

£29,605- £33,966 or £36,024- £40,521

KA40021

Research

5 January 2024

29 February 2024