Postdoctoral Research Associate in semiconductor transport simulations

Working at Durham University  

A globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a warm and friendly place to work, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other.

As one of the UK’s leading universities, Durham is an incredible place to define your career.The University is located within a beautiful historic city, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and surrounded by stunning countryside. Our talented scholars and researchers from around the world are tackling global issues and making a difference to people's lives.  

We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things in the world. Being a part of Durham is about more than just the success of the University, it’s also about contributing to the success of the city, county and community.

Our University Strategy is built on three pillars of research, education and wider student experience, but also on our keen sense of community and of inspiring others to achieve their potential. 

Our Purpose and Values

We want our University to be a place where people can be free to be themselves, no matter what their identity or background. Together, we celebrate difference, value one another and are each responsible for creating an inclusive community that is respectful and fair for all.

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page

The Engineering Department

The Department of Engineering consistently stands as one of the foremost engineering departments in the UK, renowned for its exceptional performance in teaching, research, and the successful career paths of its students. Its impressive achievements include a 4th  rank in the Complete University Guide 2025, 6th  in the Guardian University Guide 2025, and 6th  in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 for General Engineering in the UK. The Department also secured a position within the top six UK departments in the REF 2021 assessment, with an outstanding publication rating of 4* and 3*.

This vibrant Department offers an outstanding work environment and is committed to growth, aiming for an expansion of over 50% in the next five years. The growth plan entails a substantial boost in the research challenge portfolio and a dedicated effort to enhance undergraduate, postgraduate taught, and postgraduate research programs. Joining this thriving Department at present offers an exciting opportunity to contribute significantly.

The Department proudly holds an Athena SWAN Silver Award, a testament to its dedication to promoting diversity in STEM academics and fostering a nurturing and encouraging atmosphere.

The Role

Applications are invited for this Postdoctoral Research Associate post funded by the EPSRC "Nano-structured RC networks – a pathway to artificial skin" project. The primary objective is to develop a comprehensive simulation framework that bridges microscopic semiconductor morphology with macroscopic charge transport dynamics, ultimately supporting the design of innovative touch sensor technologies.

The successful candidate will focus on creating an advanced spatially-cognisant kinetic Monte Carlo simulation capable of adapting to empirical surface morphologies and potential maps. This will involve working with novel materials like transition metal dichalcogenides and conductive metal oxides.

Key responsibilities:

The successful candidate will be expected to:

·           Develop transport simulation code for rapidly changing electrostatic environments

·           Model carrier dynamics in disordered semiconductors

·           Collaborate closely with experimental researchers

·           To understand and convey material of a specialist or highly technical nature to the team or group of people through presentations and discussions that leads to the presentation of research papers in conferences and publications.

·           To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences which may include: research sponsors, academic and non-academic audiences.

·           To publish high quality outputs, including papers for submission to peer reviewed journals and papers for presentation at conferences and workshops under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.

·           To assist with the development of research objectives and proposals.

·           To conduct individual and collaborative research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.

·           To work with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and other colleagues in the research group, as appropriate, to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.

·           To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and offering creative or innovative solutions.

·           To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.

·           To plan and manage own research activity, research resources in collaboration with others and contribute to the planning of research projects.

·           To deliver training in research techniques/approaches to peers, visitors and students as appropriate.

·           To be involved in student supervision, as appropriate, and assist with the assessment of the knowledge of students.

·           To contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect.

·           To engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.

·           To engage in continuing professional development by participation in the undergraduate or postgraduate teaching programmes or by membership of departmental committees, etc. and by attending relevant training and development courses.   

This post is fixed term for one year, as funding is available from 1st April, 2025 to 31st March, 2026 only.

The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.

Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by 1st April, 2025.  Preference will be given to those that have the right to work in the UK at the time of the interview.

Working at Durham 

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits: 

·         30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year (pro-rated for contracts of less than one year)

·         The University closes between Christmas and New Year.

·         Free on site parking (subject to change)

·         Friendly and collegiate colleagues and surroundings.

·         We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).

·         No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.  We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.

·         There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally.  There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University.  All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities. 

·         Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.

·         On site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16.

·         Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).

·         The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community

·         Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions. 

·         A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits. 

·         If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools.  If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here .

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key component of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do.  We also live by our Purpose and Values  and our Staff Code of Conduct.   At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all colleagues undertake activities that are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI. 

We welcome and encourage applications from those who are currently under-represented in our work force, including people with disabilities and from racially minoritised ethnic groups.

If you have taken a career break or periods of leave that may have impacted on the volume and recency of your research outputs and other activities, such as maternity, adoption or parental leave, you may wish to disclose this in your application. The selection committee will take this into account when evaluating your application.

The University has been awarded the Disability Confident Employer status. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role. 

Contact Information 

Department contact for academic-related enquiries 

Dr Iddo Amit, Assistant Professor in Electronic Engineering (iddo.amit@durham.ac.uk)

Contact information for technical difficulties when submitting your application 

If you encounter technical difficulties when using the online application form, we prefer you send enquiries by email.  Please send your name along with a brief description of the problem you’re experiencing to e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk  

Alternatively, you may call 0191 334 6801 from the UK, or +44 191 334 6801 from outside the UK. This number operates during the hours of 09.00 and 17.00 Monday to Friday, UK time.  We will normally respond within one working day (Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays).  

University contact for general queries about the recruitment process 

e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk

How to Apply  

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification below. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.  

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.  

Submitting your application 

We prefer to receive applications online.   We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.

What to Submit 

All applicants are asked to submit: 

• a CV and
• a cover letter which details how your experience, skills, and achievements match the criteria set out in the Person Specification below.
• a list of your publications

Next Steps 

Short-listed candidates will be invited to the University, either virtually or in-person and will have the opportunity to meet key members of the Department.  The assessment for the post will include a presentation to the panel, followed by an interview.  We anticipate that these will take place online using Microsoft Teams on the 20th or 21st March 2025.

In the event that you are unable to attend in person on the date offered, it may not be possible to offer you an interview on an alternative date. 

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.   

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

Qualifications

1.    A good first degree in Physics, Materials Science or Electronic Engineering.

2.    A PhD (or be close to submission) in modelling of electronic materials or a related subject.

Experience

3.    Experience in conducting high quality academic research.

4.    Demonstrable ability to write material of a quality commensurate with publication in highly-ranked journals.

5.    Demonstrable ability to present research papers at international conferences and communicate complex information to specialists and within the wider academic community.

6.    Experience in computational modelling of semiconductor transport, coding, theory of semiconductor materials and devices. 

Skills

7.    Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, including participating in research meetings.

8.    Ability to work independently on own initiative and to strict deadlines.

9.    Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Desirable Criteria

Experience

10.  Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals, commensurate with stage of career.

11.  A track record of presenting research at conferences, symposia, or meetings, commensurate with stage of career.

12.  Demonstrable ability to develop research proposals and designs in collaboration with other academics.

13.  Experience of overseeing students with respect to the development of their practical/research skills e.g. acting as a demonstrator; supervising student projects/practicals.

14.  Experience in kinetic Monte Carlo simulations, knowledge of dispersive transport.. 

Skills

15.  Demonstrable ability to plan and manage independent research.