Job Description

Are you a surface scientist looking to develop a career in applied research with societal impact? Are you interested in surface analysis with a world-leading near-ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy facility? Do you want to be part of an interdisciplinary research team developing solutions for sustainable transportation?

The academic team at the University of Leeds is looking to recruit a highly skilled surface scientist to join their multi-institution research collaboration involving several UK universities and a globally leading transportation additives company. You will be responsible for delivering the research activities at the University of Leeds and will contribute to the overall coordination of the collaborative research projects. You will have the opportunity to undertake research visits to all partners, develop new research ideas and deliver results collaboratively. This is a great opportunity for an early-career researcher to develop an original research portfolio and a strong publication record through collaborations with PhD students and academic partners, while demonstrating leadership skills by directing an industry-academia collaboration that is ambitious and will deliver real-world impact.

We are seeking to employ a Research Fellow with an established track record in applying state-of-the-art laboratory and synchrotron-based surface science techniques to examine chemical reactions at interfaces between solids and organic phases, determining the mechanistic physicochemical basis for mitigating against the formation of unwanted organic surface deposits. 

You will be part of an established industrial collaboration studying the formation of surface deposits in current and future transportation engines. In situ and operando studies under operational conditions inform the development of fuel and lubricant additives for protecting surfaces, reducing friction and minimizing surface wear.  You will be expected to develop this research activity, providing leadership in training of a growing team, but will also have opportunities to collaborate with other surface and interface science research projects that make use of the advanced X-ray analysis infrastructure at Leeds and Diamond Light Source. 

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

Professor Sven Schroeder, Bragg Centenary Chair (email: [email protected])

OR

David Harbottle, Associate Professor (email: [email protected])