Research Fellow in Nanofabrication for Next Generation Phase-Contrast X-ray Imaging

Job title:

Research Fellow in Nanofabrication for Next Generation Phase-Contrast X-ray Imaging

Company

University College London

Job description

About usThe UCL Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering wishes to recruit a Research Fellow to join the photonic innovations lab at UCL and to work on the EPSRC funded Nikon-UCL Prosperity Partnership on Next-Generation X-Ray Imaging.X-Ray Imaging (XRI) has a fundamental role in medicine and security, and is instrumental in the automotive, aerospace, pharmaceutical industries and in manufacturing in general. Cultural heritage relies on XRI, as do materials science, biology, and many other scientific fields. Through the established collaboration between Nikon X-Tek Systems (NXTS, Nikon’s UK based x-ray division) and UCL, we are targeting the next paradigm shift in XRI. Our vision is that this will involve the incorporation of phase effects in the image formation process (“Phase-based” XRI) coupled with energy-resolved (“colour”) XRI and new data reconstruction and interpretation algorithms. “Colour” XRI could be seen as the x-ray equivalent of the transition from black and white to colour photography, meaning a much wider spectrum of information can be obtained from the imaged sample. Phase-based XRI enables contrast increases of up to two orders of magnitude, thus allowing the detection of features classically considered “x-ray invisible”.Our vision is to marry UCL’s world-class research and expertise on phase-based XRI, inverse problems and nanofabrication with NXTS’s innovation on scatter analysis, image reconstruction and colour x-ray imaging in order to achieve the next step change in XRI technology. This will deliver transformative solutions that are practicable in an industrial context and beneficial to a wide user base, while also enabling new science.About the roleWe are looking for a talented postdoctoral researcher to join our team to help us fulfil the project’s goals, producing research of the highest standard.Major research activities of the job:

• Develop advanced, cleanroom-based, fabrication protocols for phase and intensity masks to achieve high-resolution X-Ray systems.
• Fabricate high-aspect ratio 1D and 2D gratings on a large scale for phase contrast x-ray experiments.
• Collaborate with the Advanced X-Ray Imaging group to integrate and test the developed systems.

An important part of the work will be publishing high quality research papers in high-profile journals and conferences and pursuing IP protection. The successful candidate will work within an established research team led by Prof. Ioannis Papakonstantinou.The post is available from 1st January 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter until 31st October 2025, in the first instance. Further funding to support the post may be available.About youApplicants should have a PhD in relevant area of nanotechnology fabrication (or about to submit). They should have a proven record in one or more of the following lithographic processes; Electron-beam lithography (EBL), focused-ion-beam (FIB) lithography, nanoimprint lithography (NIL), block-copolymer (BCP) lithography, laser interference lithography (LIL) or other equivalent processes for sub-200nm fabrication. They should be skilled in in nanostructure characterisation with atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and others.Ability in reconstructing X-ray images from phase contrast experiments is desirable, as well as experience in designing phase or intensity gratings for phase contrast X-Ray experiments.If the successful candidate has not yet been awarded their PhD, appointment will be made as a Research Assistant (Grade 6B). Payment at Grade 7 will be backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis including corrections, once the PhD has been awarded. Research Assistant (Grade 6B): ): point 25-28. Salary range £38,357 – £41,005 (inc. London Allowance of £5,125 pa).Application details:

• To apply for the role, click the ‘Apply Now’ button at the bottom or top of the page
• Applications close on 3rd December 2024 at 23:59
• A job description and person specification can be accessed at the bottom of this page
• Informal enquiries regarding this post can be addressed to Prof Ioannis Papakonstantinou

. For questions regarding the application process please contact Rebecca Thomas at .What we offerAs well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Immigration loan
• Relocation scheme for certain posts
• On-Site nursery
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance

Visit to find out moreOur commitment to Equality, Diversity and InclusionAs London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.Our department holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality.Available documents

Expected salary

Location

North West London

Job date

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 05:54:27 GMT

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