Research Fellow (SAW Sensors) (1023518PN)

The Electronic Materials and Devices Research Group of the ORC at University of Southampton is accepting applications for a Research Fellow. The position will be based at the Highfield Campus and will commence as soon as possible.

The appointee will be part of an interdisciplinary team lead by Prof Themis Prodromakis and will be based at Southampton’s Zepler Institute. This post is funded by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation and the vision is to develop a Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) technology for monitoring in real-time temperature and strain. The technology will be developed collaboratively with Transese Technologies and the Lloyd’s Register Group and will be optimized for being deployed on large metal area representing the inner/outer shell of LNG tanks. The work carried by the successful candidate will pave the way for unattended LNG tanks in-situ monitoring, providing early warnings for any structural defects and thus predicting failures, and obviating unnecessary dry dock inspections that render the maintenance of LNG carrier (powered) vessels both costly and dangerous.

This post will specifically involve the use of our state-of-art nano-fabrication facilities at Southampton’s Zepler Institute (www.zeplerinstitute.ac.uk) and advanced characterization techniques. The appointee will join a highly successful and visible group of researchers in related projects, funded by both EPSRC, EU and charitable Foundations, and will be required to coordinate activities among academic and industrial partners. Throughout this appointment the successful candidate will interact closely with PhD students for developing novel SAW sensors and systems with particular emphasis in optimizing their architecture and device architecture for optimising/accounting for bespoke sensing modalities (temperature, strain, corrosion), as well as other Research Fellows that will be responsible for the modelling and communication aspects of the technology.

The successful candidate will obtain a PhD* in Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related subject or equivalent professional qualifications. Candidate will also have a strong background in one or more of the following areas:

1.         Micro/nano-fabrication

2.         RF and Microwave characterization techniques

3.         Semiconductors and Dielectrics Characterisation Techniques

4.         Sensors Instrumentation

Skills in using one or more of the major device characterization equipment (Probe stations, Vector Network Analyzer, Semiconductor Parameter Analyzer) as well as skills in developing automated experimental characterization set-ups (e.g. Labview or other automation software) are also desirable. Previous experience with SAW technologies and sensors for structural integrity monitoring are also desirable. 

There will be some travel involved both within the United Kingdom and abroad to conduct research, visit collaborators, and attend conferences.

This position is available for 2 years. Interviews will be held week commencing 23rd July 2018.

For further information please contact Prof Themis Prodromakis at t.prodromakis@soton.ac.uk. 

*Applications for Research Fellow positions will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification. The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon successful completion of the PhD. Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given.

Application procedure:

You should submit your completed online application form at www.jobs.soton.ac.uk. The application deadline will be midnight on the closing date stated above. If you need any assistance, please call Rosie McPhail (Recruitment Team) on +44 (0) 23 8059 4043. Please quote reference 1023518PN on all correspondence.

Closing Date: 18 Jul 2018
Post Type: Education, Research & Enterprise