The role
Applications are invited for an instrument scientist specialising in high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) at the Interface Analysis Centre (IAC) facility within the University of Bristol. This is an excellent opportunity for a talented microscopist to join an established materials characterisation facility. This is a 50% FTE role, with a flexible work schedule.
The IAC facility comprises of a suite of materials analysis laboratories within the School of Physics at the University of Bristol. The instrument scientist will join a team of academics, technicians and staff scientists that run the instruments within the facility for commercial and collaborative research projects. The IAC’s bespoke and unique contact mode HS-AFMs enable high frame rate capture of dynamic processes such as corrosion, and large-scale mapping of material structures.
The successful candidate will operate the HS-AFM instruments and be responsible for training users and running external research projects. They will contribute to reports to industrial partners, publications in academic journals, grant and fellowship applications, and co-supervision of student projects.
What will you be doing?
You will carry out exciting materials research using the HS-AFM instruments in the IAC facility, including specimen preparation, training and data analysis for internal and external users, and design new ways to harness the power of the novel HS-AFM instruments. You will help to maintain the HS-AFM microscopes within the facility and train users on HS-AFM instruments.
You will contribute to data collection, analysis and report writing for industrial contracts and academic collaborations, including working with other academics and students on scientific publications. You will help write risk assessments and method statements / standard operating procedures.
There will also be opportunity to co-supervise research projects at the undergraduate and postgraduate level. We would also expect you to contribute to research fellowships and grant proposals.
You should apply if
You have a PhD in materials science, physics, engineering or a similar discipline.
You are familiar with the use of atomic force microscopes, electron microscopes and tools for analysis of research data (e.g. Gwyddion, MATLAB, ImageJ, Dragonfly). Experience training users on the use of such microscopes is beneficial.
You have experience writing scientific reports for academic publication and/or commercial partners, and presenting your work to external audiences