The University is dedicated to supporting an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment - to create better futures, together. The diverse backgrounds, characteristics and opinions within our community are our great strength and are key to our pursuit of delivering educational excellence, enterprise, research and professional services. We welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds and minoritized groups as they are currently under-represented within our community.
We recognise the value of a fulfilling and balanced work and personal life which promotes wellbeing. We seek to support colleagues in achieving this balance and have family-friendly policies, flexible working arrangements and many roles can be suitable for dynamic working arrangement. This includes considering applications to work on a part-time, flexible and job share basis wherever possible.
We are proud to be a Real Living Wage Employer—so much so that we go beyond the standard, providing additional supplementary payments at specific pay points to further support our employees' financial wellbeing. Further information about the Loughborough Real Living Wage Supplement can be found on our HR webpage.
Loughborough University is a UKVI Sponsor. Some individuals may require sponsorship to enable them to apply for a visa to provide them with the right to work in the UK. Please note certain roles are not eligible for sponsorship. For further information and eligibility please visit the UKVI website.
This position is Full Time, Fixed Term.
We are looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher with expertise in magnetic microscopy to work on “Thermally-driven motion of spin textures” within the Future Leader Fellowship project lead by Dr Naëmi Leo. This project uses the novel localised plasmonic heaters to create fast, efficient, and versatile reconfigurable thermal landscapes controlled by light polarisation, power and illumination patterns.
(https://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C9NR01628G, https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevApplied.18.024014). By creating hybrid devices combining the optical control of thermal gradients with magnetic materials, the post holder is expected to quantify thermal motion of spin textures to deepen our understanding of the underlying driving processes.
The project will be undertaken in the physics department at Loughborough University and involves collaborations with internal colleagues and facilities, as well as with national and international project partners such as EXTREMAG (UK) and Durham University (UK). This project involves using novel hybrid magneto-thermoplasmonic devices to generate thermal gradients under different optical illumination conditions for the controlled motion of spin textures, including domain walls and Skyrmions.
As such, the successful candidate should enjoy challenging hands-on experimental work in the laboratory, with experience in magnetic microscopy via MOKE magnetometry and/or synchrotron x-ray methods, as well as post-experiment image analysis, as evidenced by strong publications. The successful candidate should have completed or be about to obtain a PhD in physics or material science within the field of magnetism or spintronics. Further desirable experience and skills include solid competency in programming (e.g. Python, Matlab, C++, etc) for data analysis and control of experimental setups, experience in micromagnetic or multiphysics simulations, and knowledge of various structural and magnetic characterisation techniques and instrumentation (such as nanolithography, magneto-transport, MOKE, AFM, XRD).
The successful candidate should have good interpersonal skills and clear oral and written communication, be able to carry out independent research activities within an international team, and to be willing to travel nationally and internationally to visit collaborators and attend scientific conferences.
The post is for a minimum of 24 months (with a possible extension dependent upon performance and available funding). We aspire providing bespoke support to physicists and engineers from diverse backgrounds and creating an inclusive environment that fosters excellence for all researchers.
Informal enquiries should be made to Dr Naëmi Leo (n.leo@lboro.ac.uk).
For more information on the role please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification.
Our Benefits
At Loughborough, our benefits are designed to support your life inside and outside of work, helping you to thrive and feel valued as part of our community. Examples of our benefits include:
Time off - generous holiday allowance, including 14 university closure days and bank holidays, with the option to buy extra through our holiday purchase scheme
Where you work – access to a range of fantastic facilities with plenty of green space across our 523-acre East Midlands campus, plus an exciting community at our London campus on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Financial wellbeing – competitive pay, two excellent pension schemes, and everyday savings opportunities
Support for you and your family – on-site nursery at our East Midlands campus, flexible and hybrid working options, and a range of family-friendly policies
Health and wellbeing – discounted gym memberships and access to world-class sporting facilities, including physiotherapy, plus healthcare offers such as eyesight testing and wellbeing support
Travel and sustainability - access to our electric vehicle and cycle-to-work schemes, as well as a variety of travel offers to support sustainable commuting
Discover more about the full range of rewards and benefits at Loughborough University.