Job Description
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Vacancy Reference:
Postdoctoral Researcher (Experiment)
Science & Engineering/Chemistry and Physics & Mathematics
Dr T S Horozov / Dr A Adawi
36 months
Academic
7
Research Band 7
No
FS0129
Details Specific to the Post
Background and Context
The project follows ground breaking work by the group in the self-assembly of colloids at liquid
interfaces and the award of a substantial EPSRC grant (funding two PDRAs, the current post
and a theoretical counterpart) to use this method to create metal/dielectric composite
nanomaterials for advanced photonic and plasmonic applications. These materials are
currently very expensive to make using top down lithographic techniques and the development
of self-assembly routes for creating them will make applications in sensing, low threshold
lasers, superlenses and invisible cloaking devices economically viable.
The postholder will join a multidisciplinary team consisting of two PDRAs who will be jointly
supervised by Drs Buzza, Horozov and Adawi. Working as part of this team, the PDRA will be
responsible for fabrication and characterisation of complex multi-component interfacial
colloidal systems in order to obtain specific target plasmonic and metamaterial structures. The
PDRA will further investigate how these plasmonic structures modify the photonic properties
of an active material which is deposited on top of the plasmonic structure. This will allow us to
create prototype hybrid active material/metamaterial structures that will form the building
blocks for the next generation of nanophotonic devices.
The position will be based in the Departments of Chemistry and Physics & Mathematics as
part of an ongoing collaboration. The Department of Chemistry carries out world-class
research in many scientific areas, from drug synthesis to advanced functional materials,
including liquid crystals, and from electrochemical sensors to lab-on-a-chip miniaturised
reaction systems. It has an extensive range of laboratories and scientific, computing and
technical services with more than £3 million of investment in recent years thus providing stateof-the-art facilities, equipment and a well-stocked library available to researchers. The PDRA
will join the Surfactant and Colloid Group which is one of the leading UK research groups in
surface and colloid chemistry of a wide range of systems including monolayers, micelles,
microemulsions, foams, emulsions, particles in surfaces and colloidal dispersions. Established
in 1986, the group comprises over 30 researchers and has a strong reputation for fundamental
research in areas closely linked to technological applications, pursued in collaboration with a
wide network of industrial and academic partners.
The Department of Physics & Mathematics is a rapidly growing department that has benefitted
from substantial recent investment in research and teaching laboratories, as well as new staff.
It has a thriving research culture with a mix of experimental and theoretical groups
encompassing condensed matter physics, applied physics and astrophysics. In condensed
matter, experimentalists work in photonics, nanophysics, organic semiconductors and
biophysics. Theoreticians use computer modeling to study organic and inorganic condensed
matter physics as well quantum information systems. The research is funded by the EPSRC,
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EU, the Leverhulme Trust, the Office for Naval Research as well as industry. The Deparment
has very strong research collaborations with the Department of Chemistry, particularly with
the Surfactants & Colloids, Liquid Crystals and Microfluidics groups.
Hull University has a reputation as one of the friendliest Universities and is in the top ten for
student satisfaction. The departments of Chemistry and Physics & Mathematics are situated
in the centre of the attractive green campus about two miles from the city centre. The nearby
Beverley road/Newland Avenue area has a thriving pub and café-bar culture. Hull is a maritime
city which has undergone a renaissance in recent years with a new city-centre shopping
complex, football and rugby stadium, the Deep aquarium and has been chosen as the UK City
of Culture from 2017. There are many clubs, live music venues, restaurants and museums.
The city is in the East Riding of Yorkshire and is close to undulating countryside with many
picturesque villages and market towns. Hull is well connected by road and rail to the rest of
the UK. London is less than three hours away by train. Humberside International Airport is
only 30 minutes’ drive from Hull and has worldwide international connections via Amsterdam.
P&O Ferries offer daily overnight services to Rotterdam and Zeebrugge from Hull's port.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities of the post
The postholder, working in collaboration with their theoretical counterpart, will first study the
structures and interactions between different types of colloids at a liquid interface in order to
establish the relationship between particle properties (e.g., material, wettability, shape and
size) and particle structures formed. The interaction strength between very hydrophobic silica
particles at an oil/water interface will be measured using two-dimensional sedimentation
experiments in vertical particle monolayers. These results will be compared to direct
measurements of the interaction between the particles using laser tweezers. The PDRA will
then study the self-assembly of mixed monolayers in order to obtain the design rules for
obtaining specific metal/dielectric composite structures. The obtained self-assembled clusters
will be immobilised by their transfer on a solid substrate as a necessary step for studying their
optical properties and for practical applications. The structure and optical properties of the
immobilised particle clusters will be investigated using Fourier-space imaging reflectivity
spectroscopy. These results, combined with the optical simulations, will then be used to
determine effective permittivity, permeability and refractive index of the fabricated structures
as a function of wavelength. For the best metamaterial samples, the PDRA will deposit active
materials such as conjugated polymers or colloidal quantum dots on top of the metamaterial
to investigate the modification in the emission intensity and directionality by means of microphotoluminescence spectroscopy and Fourier-space imaging spectroscopy.
In your covering letter please refer directly to the criteria, given in the person specification
below. Applications are assessed by the selection panel according to these criteria.
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GENERIC JOB DESCRIPTION
The job duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature
of the role. The duties and responsibilities and the balance between the elements in the role
may change or vary over time depending on the specific needs at a specific point in time or
due to changing needs in the department. Candidates should note that there may not be an
immediate requirement to carry out all the activities listed below.
Overall Purpose of the Role
The researcher at this level will be:
 An experienced and professional researcher and will be a subject specialist, drawing
upon knowledge gained from postgraduate research and/or working within a
Research Band 6 role.
 Associated with a particular project (or projects) and will contribute ideas, and/or
enhancement of techniques or methodologies and be expected to take significant
initiatives in their work and consult with the Principal Investigator over the details of
the project. They will work under supervision and receive academic, pastoral support
and guidance which may include specific training, career opportunities and
mentoring.
They may contribute to the Department’s teaching, through supervision of projects,
overseeing practical classes, or taking small group tutorial classes.
The main focus of the work will involve conducting individual and collaborative research
projects under the general guidance of a senior academic or Principal Investigator using new
research techniques and methods, analysing and interpreting data and writing up research
for publication.
Main Work Activities
1. Conduct individual and collaborative research projects to include:
 Using expertise to carry out projects they are working on.
 Contribute to the preparing proposals and applications for external bodies, e.g.
for funding and contractual purposes with appropriate support or contribute to
the writing of collective bids.
 Use new research techniques and methods.
 Analyse and interpret research data.
 Write up research work of the project and its dissemination through seminar
and conferences presentations and publications.
2. Responsible for the management of projects to include:
 Plan and manage own research activity in collaboration with others.
 Manage administrative activities with guidance if required.
 Plan and monitor the work of the project or projects if applicable.
3. Assist with teaching and learning support in own area of study to include:
 Assist in the development of student research skills.
 Assess student knowledge and supervision of projects.
 Supervise and guide final year students.
4. Develop and initiate collaborative working internally and externally to include:
 Build internal contacts and participate in internal networks for exchange of
information and to form relationships for future collaboration and to progress
their research.
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Develop links and join external networks to share information and identify
future potential sources of funding.
Work with colleagues on joint projects as required.
Attend and contribute to relevant meetings.
5. Demonstrate evidence of own personal and professional development to include:
 Continually update knowledge and understanding in field or specialism.
 Appraisal, induction and performance reviews.
 Participate in training and development activity.
 Maintain links with professional institutions and other related bodies.
 Collaborate with academic colleagues on areas of shared research interest.
Additionally the post holder will be required to:
 Fulfil the employees’ duties described in the University’s health and safety policies
and co-operate with the health and safety arrangements in place within the department.
May be required to undertake specific health and safety roles on request e.g. Display
screen equipment assessor, departmental safety officer, fire warden etc.
 Show a commitment to diversity, equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practices
this includes undertaking mandatory equality and diversity training.
 Comply with University regulations, policies and procedures.
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PERSON SPECIFICATION – Research Band 7
Specification
Essential
Education and Training
PhD or equivalent in Surface and Colloid
Chemistry or Soft Matter Physics (or related
discipline) by date of appointment.
Formal qualifications and relevant
training
Work Experience
Ability to undertake duties of the
post
Evidence of:
Experience of experimental research in one
or more of the following areas:
 Colloidal particle self-assembly;
 High resolution optical spectroscopy.
An emerging track record in an appropriate
research field, including scientific
publications and presentations at scientific
conferences.
Desirable
Examples Measured by
Application
Experience of experimental research
in:
 Colloidal particles at liquid
interfaces;
 Characterisation of self-assembled
structures
 High resolution optical spectroscopy
of plasmonic systems.
Application
Interview
An emerging track record in
contributing to grant applications in an
appropriate research field.
Skills and Knowledge
Includes abilities and intellect
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Evidence of:
 Participation in networks that seek to
promote research collaboration
 Effective management of resources
 Strong experimental and analytical skills;
 Ability to plan, design, execute and report
research;
 Good oral and written communication
skills in standard English;
 Ability to work independently.
Skills and knowledge of physical
chemistry methods and background
relating to one or more of the areas of:
colloidal particles at interfaces, particle
self-assembly, characterisation of selfassembled structures.
Contribution to the supervision of
undergraduate project, masters or PhD
students
Application
Interview
Personal Qualities
Includes any specific physical
requirements of the post –
(subject to the provisions of the
Equality Act 2010)
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An expectation to positively contribute to
University activities and initiatives which
may include open days, graduation
ceremonies,
Be willing and able to work effectively as
an active and collegial team member
along with a willingness to employ
flexible working practices as directed by
project supervisors;
Commitment to continued personal and
professional development and training;
Ability to provide guidance to project and
PhD students.
Application
Interview