A position for experimental research in the fabrication and characterization of carbon-based materials and devices is available immediately, until April 2013. The primary materials will be single-walled carbon nanotubes filled with fullerene molecules containing spin-active species. The research will involve fabricating devices with non-standard geometries, filling them with endohedral fullerenes, structural characterization by force and electron microscopy, and electrical characterization. The experimental work will be under the direct supervision of Dr Jamie Warner in collaboration with other departmental colleagues and other laboratories in Oxford and elsewhere. This post is part of an EPSRC-funded international project in collaboration with Peking and Tsinghua Universities led by Professor Andrew Briggs, entitled Putting spin into carbon nanoelectronics. The overall aim of the project is to develop devices which incorporate electron spin, and show how these can be used as components for quantum spintronics, exploiting the phenomena of quantum superposition and entanglement. Eventual applications are expected to range from entanglement-enhanced sensors to components for solid state computers.

Applicants must have a doctorate in an appropriate physical science subject and expertise relevant to carbon-based materials and devices. They will need skills in one or more areas of synthesis and characterization of carbon-based materials, nanofabrication by electron beam lithography and focused ion beams, and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. A good publication record and excellent communication skills are expected, as is willingness to travel to collaborators at other institutions.

Further particulars, including instructions which must be read before applying for this post, are available from the web-site: http://www.materials.ox.ac.uk or from Mrs K Fewings, Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PH (email: posts@materials.ox.ac.uk), or telephone 01865 273680 (post reference DJ11/03). The closing date for applications is 25 February 2011 with interviews currently planned for 15 March 2011.

Grade 7 / Salary £28,983 to £34,607 pa / Job Ref: DJ11/03