Research Associate in Transmission Electron Microscopy

The University of Manchester - Department of Materials

Location:ManchesterSalary:£37,694 to £46,049 per annum, dependent on relevant experienceHours:Full TimeContract Type:Fixed-Term/ContractPlaced On:19th August 2025Closes:1st September 2025Job Ref:SAE-029500

Job reference: SAE-029500

Salary: £37,694 to £46,049 per annum, dependent on relevant experience

Faculty/Organisational Unit: Science and Engineering

Location: Oxford Road

Employment type: Fixed Term

Division/Team: Department of Materials

Hours Per Week: 35 Hours per week (1 FTE)

Closing date: 01/09/2025

Contract Duration: 6 month (in the first instance)

School/Directorate: School of Natural Sciences

Overall Purpose of the Job:

Transmission electron microscopy is one of the most effective techniques for nanoscale characterisation of 2D materials systems which, combined with advances in fabrication of environmentally sensitive samples, can now be applied to novel 2D materials.

This post-doctoral research associate position will investigate structure and property variations of novel 2D materials systems with a range of TEM techniques complemented by novel device fabrication methods. This project will utilise advances in fabrication of TEM samples containing chemically sensitive 2D materials to study novel materials systems, heterostructures and devices with unique properties. You will work closely with physicists and material scientists to enable the characterisation and understanding of the phenomena observed within the developed devices.

Prior experience of STEM characterisation of air and electron beam sensitive 2D materials is essential, including imaging, diffraction and spectroscopy, with experience acquiring 4-dimensional STEM (4DSTEM), differential phase contrast (DPC) and ptychography data being desirable. Direct experience using JEOL ARM300CF, FEI Talos F200A or FEI Titan “ChemiSTEM” (G2 80–200) desirable, as well as experience in TEM/STEM image processing and simulation using open-source Python packages such as atomic simulation environment (ASE) and abTEM. A willingness to occasionally travel (nationally and internationally) to other labs to perform TEM/STEM experiments for a period of days- weeks would also be an advantage.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we support an inclusive working environment and welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here.

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Prof Sarah Haigh

Email: sarah.haigh@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries:

Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk