Characterisation PDRA (Fixed Term) - Inorganic Nanoparticles

About the role

The University of Cambridge, Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, is recruiting a fixed-term Post-doctoral Research Associate (PDRA) in the Autonomous Materials Group, supervised by Dr Shijing Sun and working within the ARIA project teams. The project is funded by the Advanced Research + Invention Agency for 12 months, starting from 1 February 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter. The successful candidate contributes to research on the protein-templated assembly of inorganic nanoparticles.

Key responsibilities

• Establish and run a multimodal, multi-fidelity screening workflow, from rapid colloidal screening to phase identification, to find synthesis conditions that meet the targets and understand the assembly across length scales.
• Work closely with the protein design, biomineralisation and advanced characterisation teams; teamwork is essential.
• Contribute intellectually to the research and help draft scientific manuscripts.
• Support the day-to-day supervision of Master's and PhD students.
• Develop research objectives and proposals, carry out individual and collaborative research, review the literature and keep knowledge up to date.
• Assist with grant administration, report writing for funding bodies and the maintenance of research group equipment.
• Liaise with colleagues and students and build internal and external contacts.

Required profile

• PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Experience in the solution-phase synthesis of inorganic nanoparticles with control over particle size, shape and crystalline phase.
• Experience characterising colloidal dispersions (dynamic light scattering, optical microscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy) and crystalline phases (Raman spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction), with the judgement to reconcile results across techniques.
• Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team spanning chemistry, biology, physics, mechanical engineering and computer science.

Required skills

• Python for data analysis and a demonstrated interest in high-throughput experimental methods.
• Desirable: hands-on experience with in-line colloidal characterisation, bio-templated or protein-mediated mineralisation, protein-inorganic interfaces or functional inorganic nanomaterials, and high-throughput or automated experimentation (e.g. Bayesian optimisation).
• Desirable: experience preparing and interpreting samples for scanning or transmission electron microscopy or SQUID magnetometry.

Applicants submit a CV and a two-page research statement through the online application; early applications are encouraged. The salary is £34,610-£35,608 for those without a PhD by 1 January 2027, rising to £37,694-£46,049 after the PhD is awarded.