Research Associate* in the Tribology Group

Short info about job

Detail information about job Research Associate* in the Tribology Group. Terms and conditions vacancy

Salary in the range: £36,800 – £44,220 per annum*

Fixed-term appointment available for up to 1 year in the first instance – starting January 2018

South Kensington Campus

The Tribology Group at Imperial College London wishes to appoint a Research Associate to conduct research into the fundamental of surface film formation with novel optical and spectroscopic techniques.

Antiwear additives are frequently used to manage wear between two rubbing surfaces. Previously studies, mainly with ex-situ analysis, have suggested that chemical reactions occur between these additives and rubbing surfaces. However, details and governing factors of such film formation mechanisms remain elusive. Due to the complexity of underlying working mechanisms, in-situ techniques that allow real-time examination are required to further our understanding in this subject.

The Tribology Group, one of the largest Academic Tribology Groups in the UK, has a long tradition in the development of novel methodologies which has led to major knowledge advancement in lubrication and additive science. We are looking for a talented, like-minded researcher who would push our experimental capability further and contribute to our understanding of the relationship between mechanical stresses and the chemical reactions for film formation. Working closely with engineers, and chemists, you will incorporate advance laser spectroscopies into tribological testing, allowing the relationship between test conditions, additive film chemistry and tribological performance to be established. You would help the development of greener, more effective antiwear additives through journal publications and discussion with the industry.

You will hold a PhD (or equivalent), in an area pertinent to the research subject i.e. Optics, Laser Diagnostics, Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science, or Engineering. You must have experience building your own advanced laser spectroscopic or imaging setups, such as FCS, Confocal, IR, Raman. Experience in implementations of home built laser spectroscopic techniques to engineering systems with restricted access and low signal-to-noise conditions is highly desirable. Matlab and/or Labview programming skills are essential. Knowledge in additive chemistry, tribology, self-assembly, film formation, physical/analytical chemistry, and thermodynamics is preferred. You are curious and eager to solve engineering problems through a fundamental approach. You are a skilled communicator, comfortable in a multidisciplinary and multinational setting. Good team-working, observational and communication skills are essential.

*Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant within the salary range £32,380 - £34,040 per annum.

Informal e-mail enquiries may be made to Dr Janet Wong at [email protected].

Our preferred method of application is online via our website. Please click ‘apply’ below or go to http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/employment (Select “Job Search” then enter the job title or vacancy reference number into “Keywords”). Please complete and upload an application form as directed quoting reference number EN20170254SA. You must submit an application form for our posts along with a CV, if you do not fill in an application form, you will not be considered. 

Any queries regarding the application process should be directed to Helen Stoneham at [email protected].

Closing date: 8 September 2017 (midnight BST)

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