Research Fellow in Liquid Crystals for Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality (Materials)

University of Leeds - Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences

Location: Leeds - Main Campus

Salary: £41,064 to £48,822 per annum capped at £41,064

Hours: Full Time

Contract Type: Fixed-Term/Contract

Placed On: 29th August 2025

Closes: 25th September 2025

Job Ref: EPSPA1129

Are you an ambitious researcher looking for your next challenge? Do you have a background in Liquid Crystals? Do you want to further your career in one of the UKs leading research-intensive Universities?

You will join a collaborative programme with Merck Electronics KGa, a world-leading company working in liquid crystals. You will work with a team of scientists from the company along with Dr Mamatha Nagaraj, Prof Helen Gleeson, Prof Gordon Love, and Dr Richard Mandle and at the University of Leeds.

You will have an experimental PhD degree (or have submitted your thesis before taking up the role) and research experience in Liquid Crystal Materials or Chemistry or a closely related discipline along with strong background in liquid crystal related materials synthesis and/or physics and characterisation. You will also have direct experience of experimental techniques relevant to the study of liquid crystals or other related soft matter systems.

You will focus on a range of liquid crystal-based technologies and work on the design, synthesis, optimisation and characterisation of liquid crystals for optical devices. In addition to carrying out a series of research projects, you will be an excellent communicator, responsible for day-to-day interactions with the company, writing papers, contributing to patent applications and making presentations. You will travel regularly to the company’s premises in the UK and Germany.

We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements.

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact: Dr Mamatha Nagaraj, Lecturer, Email: M.Nagaraj@leeds.ac.uk

What we offer in return: 26 days holiday plus approx.16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – That’s 42 days a year! Generous pension scheme plus life assurance – the University contributes 14.5% of salary. Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, our state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls. Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team. Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.