Research Assistant / Associate in modelling the electronic structure of plasmonic nanoparticlesJob Type: Full-Time.Starting Salary: £43003 - £56345 per annum + Pension plus benefitsTo find out more about the job please click the ‘apply for job’ button to be taken to Imperial job site
About the role
Read the overview of this opportunity to understand what skills, including and relevant soft skills and software package proficiencies, are required.
The post is funded by a Royal Society Enhanced Research Expenses Request grant whose goal is to develop novel atomistic modelling techniques to understand and control hot-carrier processes in plasmonic nanomaterials.
Hot carriers generated from the decay of localized surface plasmons in metallic nanostructures are promising for developing highly efficient solar energy conversion devices, such as solar cells or photocatalysts. However, despite much work fundamental questions about hot carrier processes remain unsolved and the lack of atomistic insight into these processes is holding back the field. To address this challenge, the post holder will contribute to the development of novel atomistic modelling techniques to simulate the interaction of light with nanoparticles and carry out calculations to discover novel nanomaterials with tailored compositions, shapes and environments to optimize the generation of hot carriers for specific applications
What you would be doing
* Developing new methods to study hot-carrier generation and thermalisation in plasmonic nanoparticles
* Using the new methods to discover new plasmonic nanomaterials with tailored composition, shape and environment to enhance hot-carrier generation
* Associated data analysis and the interpretation of the data
* Assist the other Research staff in the day-to-day management of the research group laboratories
* To liaise with the other research staff and students working in broad areas of relevance to the research project, providing training where appropriate
* To write progress reports and prepare results for publication and dissemination via journals, presentations and the web
* To attend progress and management meetings as required and network with the other research groups
* To comply with relevant College policies, including Financial Regulations, Equal Opportunities Policy, Promoting Race Equality Policy, Health and Safety Policy, Information Systems Security Policy and Intellectual Property Rights and Register of Interests Policies
* To actively participate in the research programme of the Group
* To publish in high quality journals and to present data at national and international meetings
* To participate in Group research meetings and internal seminars
* To collaborate with other allied scientists within Imperial College and elsewhere in London and abroad, as appropriate
* To contribute to the smooth running of the Group\\\'s laboratories and, facilities with other scientists, clinicians, technicians and students within the laboratories
* Assist in the supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate research students and research assistants as required
* To comply with the College, Division, and Unit safety practices and to attend courses on safety when appropriate
* Any other duties as may be deemed reasonable by Head of group as well as Head of Division/Department/Section
What we are looking for
* Research Associate: Hold a PhD in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science or a closely related discipline, or equivalent research, industrial or commercial experience
* Experience in using electronic structure theory to model light-mater interactions of nanomaterials with applications to plasmonics
* Practical experience within a research environment and / or publication in relevant and refereed journals
* Experience in programming for parallel computer architectures
* Experience with the tight-binding formalism
What we can offer you
* The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity.
* Grow your career: gain access to Imperial\\\'s sector-leading dedicated career support for researchers as well as opportunities for promotion and progression.
* Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 39 days off a year and generous pension schemes).
* Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.
* Bespoke career mentoring and coaching to help you identify your career goals and support in achieving them.
Further information
*Candidates who have not yet officially been awarded their PhD will be appointed initially at Research Assistant (with a salary range of £43,003 to £46,297).
For further details on the role please contact: Professor Johannes Lischner, j.lischner@imperial.ac.uk
Queries regarding the application process should be directed to: Darakshan Khan (d.khan@imperial.ac.uk).
If you encounter any technical issues while applying online, please don\\\'t hesitate to email us at support.jobs@imperial.ac.uk.
Closing Date: 17 March 2025