Postdoctoral Research Associate in Development of Scintillator Materials

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Development of Scintillator Materials Closing Date: 2026-09-20T22:59:59.000Z About us The Chemistry Department at University College London is the oldest in England and today is one of the best in the UK, ranked 3rd in the UK for research excellence in REF(2021). Our department is situated in Bloomsbury, at the heart of London, and we offer an exciting and vibrant environment in which to study at one of the UK's top universities. The Chemistry Department has over 50 members of academic staff carrying out world-leading research. We specialize in the areas of organic synthesis, chemical biology, computational chemistry, nanotechnology, inorganic and materials chemistry, physical chemistry, and chemical physics. The department has an annual research income of around £15 million, derived from many sources including the Research Councils (EPSRC, BBSRC, MRC, and NERC), European Commission and a wide range of charities and industrial partners in the UK, Europe and the USA. Details about our research can be found on the departmental website http://www.ucl.ac.uk/chemistry. About the role Applications are invited for a PDRA position in the Department of Chemistry at University College London. The research focuses on the green synthesis and scale-up of Scintillator Materials imaging applications, including aerospace component inspection and medical imaging. The successful applicant will optimise the synthesis and processing of mixed-metal oxide, controlling phase formation and particle agglomeration. A key aspect of the role is to understand how synthesis and heat-treatment conditions influence phase evolution, sintering behaviours, and resulting particle properties. The project will integrate wet-chemical synthesis, continuous precipitation, scale-up methods, and materials characterisation using facilities at UCL and partner organizations. The project is funded through a combination of Impact Acceleration and industrial funding. UCL’s primary contribution will be to optimise synthesis routes for scale-up and to evaluate sintering and optical performance in partnership with industry, with the goal of improving processing efficiency and reducing costs. The role will involve materials optimisation, data analysis, and property evaluation. Experimental work will be carried out both independently and collaboratively within the research group and across partner organisations. The postholder will work as part of an active research group of PDRAs, PhD and master’s students within the Department of Chemistry at UCL, as well as collaborate with the partners. The postholder will eventually play a leading role in the research team, including supervising and training existing group members. The position is funded by for up to 12 months. The candidate will join the research team of Prof. Jawwad Darr in the Department of Chemistry at the Bloomsbury Campus of University College London. Information about Prof. Jawwad Darr’s group is www.ucl.me.uk About you The postholder will be required to develop and scale up the synthesis of X-ray Scintillator Materials. A key feature of the project will be to understand the connection between the synthesis and heat treatment methods/conditions in optimising phase, sintering and particle properties. Materials characteristics of powders will also be probed for their composition and particle properties. Experimental work will be carried out independently but also as part of a team of researchers based in the Department of Chemistry, and through collaborations with other research and industry collaborators. The postholders will be expected to supervise PhD and master’s students, write drafts of reports and papers, and manage lab safety. The successful candidate will have a PhD degree (or be about to be awarded a PhD) in a practical area of Chemistry, Materials Chemistry or disciplines related to inorganic synthetic chemistry. Experience wet chemical synthesis methods, materials characterization, a good publication track record, a demonstrated commitment to excellence, and excellent skills in the lab are required. It is also required to work in a multidisciplinary/collaborative team and have effective written and verbal communication skills in English. The candidate must be UK national due to the nature of the research. What we offer As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below: • 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days) • Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme • Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE) • Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan • Immigration loan • Relocation scheme for certain posts • On-Site nursery • On-site gym • Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay • Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service • Discounted medical insurance Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/rewards-and-benefits to find out more. Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women. At UCL Chemistry we are dedicated to the Athena SWAN Charter for women in science, recognising the commitment to advancing women’s careers in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment in higher education and research. The department was successfully awarded a Bronze Award in 2016 and Silver Award in 2020, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality.