TITLE OF POST: Post Doctoral Researcher in Nano-Particle Synthesis and Dielectric Heating
LOCATION: University of Limerick
REPORTS TO: Project Leader
CONTRACT TYPE: Specific Purpose
SALARY SCALE: €42,394 - €46,255 p.a.
JOB DESCRIPTION
QUALIFICATIONS:
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PhD in Physical Chemistry or closely related discipline.
OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE JOB:
To synthesise nano-particles for use as additives in polymer adhesives, and to develop dielectric heating
protocols to degrade these particles.
DESCRIPTION:
A fully funded Post Doctoral Research position in Nano-Particle Synthesis and Dielectric Heating, funded
through Science Foundation Ireland’s Investigators Programme (www.sfi.ie), is currently available at the
University of Limerick. This project is titled Fastener-less Joining Technologies for High Performance
Hybrid Composites-Metal Structures, and aims to develop innovative solutions to join composites to
metals by blending the best elements from bolting and bonding technologies to result in joints that will be
reliable, reversible, cheap and efficient. The project has been awarded €1.35 million in research funding,
and will build a strong interdisciplinary six-person team to develop novel joining solutions over the next
four years.
We are, thus, looking to hire a talented Post Doctoral Researcher to synthesise nano-particles for use as
additives in polymer adhesives, and to develop dielectric heating protocols to degrade these particles. It is
essential that the candidate has nano-particle synthesis experience, experience mixing these nanoparticles into polymers, experience with dielectric heating of nano-particles and tuning nano-particles to
react to electromagnetic waves. It is also essential that the candidate demonstrate a strong publication
record, and an ability to write project deliverables. Experience with polymer adhesives, and polymers in
general, are also highly desirable.
The successful applicant will be expected to contribute to following areas, and experience in any, or all,
these topics should be clearly identified in the job application.
Research
 Contribute to the research programme of the PrincipaI Investigator.
 Define research objectives and proposals for own (or joint) research in line with research strategy.
 Determine appropriate methodologies for research, with advice and support as appropriate.
 Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations/commercial exploitation.
 Translate knowledge of advances in the subject area into research activity.
Research Management
 Plan, co-ordinate and implement research project (this will include managing a number of PhD
students).
 Manage own personal and research resources (including, where required, laboratories, and
specialist equipment) appropriately.
Income Generation/Funding
Job description
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Identify sources of funding and pursue the process of securing funds.
Work with PrincipaI Investigator to contribute to proposals for developmental purposes.
Research Outputs - Write Up and Dissemination
 Write up results from own research activity.
 Contribute to the research project’s dissemination, in whatever form (report, papers, chapters,
book).
 Present information on research progress and outcomes e.g. to bodies supervising research;
conferences, steering groups; other team members, as agreed with the PrincipaI Investigator.
 Where appropriate, work with the PrincipaI Investigator to register patents to protect intellectual
property.
Supervision
 Will act as an advisor to PhD students and be a member of a supervision panel.
 Participate in limited teaching hours for own development.
Policy & Standards
 Knowledge and understanding of the policy, practices and procedures, relevant to the role, which
may include broader University/ sector/ external sponsor or funder (e.g. Commercial Awareness,
Research Ethics, Knowledge Transfer, Patents, Intellectual Property Rights, Health and Safety,
Equal Opportunities & Diversity).
 Legal requirements regarding data protection and confidentiality data protection requirements.
The University of Limerick is considered one of the world’s leading academic institutions on the subject of
mechanical fastening of composites, and has published extensively on the subject. The University of
Limerick has led major EU research projects on joining science with top aerospace companies such as
Airbus and Bombardier, and is now breaking into the rapidly growing composites automotive sector. The
successful candidate will join a strong interdisciplinary research team at the Materials and Surface
Science Institute (MSSI), which hosts the Irish Centre for Composites Research (IComp) (www.icomp.ie)
and the Nanotechnology Research Group (http://nanoresearchul.org), where state-of-the-art
computational and experimental labs have been recently developed to design, manufacture and evaluate
mechanically fastened joints for high-performance lightweight composite structures, and to synthesise
nano-particles of many different compositions. The project also has a number of external collaborators,
such as the adhesives manufacturer Henkel and National Centre for Laser Applications at National
University of Ireland, Galway.
Essential Criteria:
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PhD in Physical Chemistry, or closely related discipline.
Extensive experience with nano-particle synthesis.
Experience mixing nano-particles into polymers and/or other similar agents.
Experience with dielectric heating.
Experience with tuning nano-particles to react to external stimuli.
Experience mentoring PhD students.
Demonstrates a strong publication record.
An ability to write project deliverables.
Good project management experience.
Desirable Criteria:
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Experience working with polymer adhesives and polymers in general.
Ability to work in a diverse interdisciplinary team environment.
Informal enquiries should be addressed to the Project’s Principal Investigator:
Job description
Dr Conor McCarthy
Dept of Mechanical, Aeronautical & Biomedical Engineering
University of Limerick
Email: conor.mccarthy@ul.ie
Job description