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Role Description
Faculty/Service:
Faculty of Engineering and Environment
Department of Mechanical & Construction Engineering
Job Title:
Research Fellow in Engineering/Materials Physics (Fixed term for 18 months)
Grade:
6
Category:
Research
Job Purpose:
This post is externally funded by EPSRC --- “Stimuli-responsive gel based microfluidic switch”
(EP/N007921/1). The postholder will develop stimuli-responsive gel system based microfluidic switch
supported by micro-engineered substrate. The work will explore the potential of controllable morphing gel
surface to regulate flow in micro-fluidic environment and will involve both production of new types of
surfaces actuation technology and experiments with flow imaging. The postholder will liaise with colleagues
at Durham University on micro-structure fabrication and micro-fluidic system design who will be performing
complementary research based on the existing collaboration partnership. They will also liaise with industrial
colleague, Reece Innovation Ltd. The postholder will also help develop the wider research capability of the
Smart Materials & Surfaces laboratory within research on the materials science and applied physics. It is
expected that the postholder will engage in public understanding of science with other collaborators.
Responsible to:
Dr. Ben B. Xu, Department of Mechanical & Construction Engineering, Smart Materials and Surfaces Lab,
Faculty of Engineering and Environment.
1. Key Responsibilities:
To take principal responsibility for the laboratory delivery of EPSRC grant EP/N007921/1 and contribute to
the multidisciplinary research programme. The planning, conducting and dissemination of research and tasks
will be varied. They will include:
1. Design and optimization of stimuli-responsive gel materials;
2. Design and fabrication of supporting micro electrode based system as micro-fluidic substrate;
3. Validation and optimisation of actuation and recovery of gel film upon the micro-engineered
substrate;
4. Characterisation of complex system using SEM, AFM, profilometry, fluorescence microscopy, etc;
5. Mechanics study of the electro-actuated instabilities;
6. Micro-fluidic system design and assembly;
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7. Validation of valve function by triggering the instabilities of gel film in micro-fluidic environment;
8. Commissioning of equipment and development of capabilities in flow field imaging, including microPIV;
9. Writing of high quality reports and papers for publication and dissemination;
10. Collaboration with external partners to develop and disseminate research;
11. Supporting public understanding of science activities including the construction of an outreach
demonstration;
12. Supporting the day-to-day operation of the research laboratory.
2. Location:
The position is based in the Department of Mechanical & Construction Engineering, located in the Ellison
Building, City Centre site. The postholder will need to travel to Durham University for some work and other
UK locations for coordination meetings with academic and industrial partners. Attendance at suitable UK and
overseas meetings and participation in public understanding/outreach work is expected.
3. Attendance Requirements:
The post is full time, a fixed term contract of 18 months with 37 hours per week. The post requires
attendance at the University but off site working will also be required when collaborating with other external
stakeholders.
4. Additional Information
The project can be found at http://gow.epsrc.ac.uk/ and a general description of the research of the group
can be found at http://computing.unn.ac.uk/smsgroup/ website, which also has links to the following journal
articles:

Xu, B. & Hayward, R. C. Low-voltage switching of crease patterns on hydrogel surfaces. Adv. Maters.
25, 5555 (2013).
 Xu, B., Chen D.Y.& Hayward, R. C. Mechanically Gated Electrical Switches by Creasing of Patterned
Metal/Elastomer Bilayer Films. Adv. Maters., 26, 4381(2013), DOI: 10.1002/adma.2014009.
 Kim,J., Yoon, J. & Hayward, R. C., Dynamic display of biomolecular patterns through an elastic
creasing instability of stimuli-responsive hydrogels, Nat. Mater. 9, 159 (2010).
 Yoon, J., Bian, P., Kim, J., McCarthy, T. J.& Hayward, R. C., Local Switching of Chemical Patterns
through Light‐Triggered Unfolding of Creased Hydrogel Surfaces, Angew. Chem., 124, 7258(2012).
References
Contact with your present or most recent employer will be made if you are offered the position. Please
complete the relevant section in the application form.
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Person Specification
School/Service:
Job Title:
Grade:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Faculty of Engineering and Environment
Department of Mechanical & Construction Engineering
Research Fellow in Engineering/Materials Physics
6
E/D
A/I
E
A/I
Excellent knowledge and understanding of characterising of complex system (e.g.
microscopy, profilometer, etc)
E
A/I
Optical, image and flow field imaging instrumentation
Knowledge of microfluidics
Knowledge and understanding of mask design and lithographic fabrication procedures
E
D
D
A/I
A/I
A/I
Skills and Abilities
Excellent oral and written communications skills
Evidence of original thought and creativity
High level of analytical and problem solving capability with inter-personal skills
Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team
Computer literate (e.g. Data analysis, modelling, CAD)
E
E
E
E
E
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
Experience
Gel chemistry
Surface treatment or/and self-assembly
Thin-film micro-structure design and function validation
Experiences on building new experimental set-ups
Track record of high quality publications in peer-reviewed journals
Experience of undertaking high quality research
Interest or experience of working in an interdisciplinary research environment
Experience of mentoring/supervising/teaching students
Experience of outreach/public engagement of science/technology
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
D
D
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
A/I
Education/Training
PhD in Materials Science or Engineering, polymer science or relevant discipline
Appropriate postdoctoral experience
E
D
A
A
E
I
E
I
Specific Knowledge
Excellent knowledge and skills for polymer or materials science
Other Requirements
Willingness and ability to travel as requested by the line manager, to attend various
meetings e.g. project meetings and conferences worldwide
Willingness and ability to supervise junior research fellows such as undergraduate/MSc
student, internship students and to engage with outreach activities.
Legend:
E
= Essential
D
= Desirable
A
I
= Application Form
= Interview