Location
University of Warwick Campus, Coventry
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Department
Physics
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Position Type
Fixed Term
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Duration
Fixed term contract until 31st March 2029
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Salary
£35,608 to £46,049 per annum
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About the Role
Informal Queries
For informal queries, please contact Geetha Balakrishnan (Professor - Research Focussed) at
[email protected].
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Condensed Matter Physics group within the Department of Physics at the University of Warwick.
We are seeking to appoint a Research Fellow to join a new project on “Atomically thin moiré materials for low-energy electronics”, a Major Research Initiative supported by the Monash-Warwick Alliance. This five-year collaboration integrates materials growth, advanced microscopy and spectroscopy, nanoelectronic device fabrication, and machine-learning-accelerated theory, drawing on complementary strengths across both universities. We are investigating the following research areas:
Moiré metamaterials - controlling electronic, and topological structures in moiré systems.
Tuneable quantum phases - exploring superconducting, ferroelectric, and correlated states in engineered heterostructures.
ML-accelerated modelling - developing multiscale simulations for moiré and 2D systems.
Low-energy device prototypes – building and testing devices using cleanroom and cryogenic platforms.
The position advertised here focuses on the production of high-quality single crystals of a wide range of 2D and layered materials including transition metal dichalcogenides and other low dimensional materials. These will include magnets, superconductors and topological materials. The crystals will be grown using various techniques such as the Bridgman, flux growth and chemical vapour transport techniques.
In addition to crystal growth, the work will also involve characterisation of the crystals produced through measurements of their structural, magnetic, transport, and other properties. Extensive laboratory based powder and single crystal x-ray diffraction work, as well as the use of advanced microscopy techniques will be required. The work may also involve the fabrication of two-dimensional heterostructures and devices using the single crystals obtained. There may be scope for taking part in experiments at international facilities using neutron and x-ray scattering, muon spectroscopy and Angle Resolved Photoelectron Spectroscopy (ARPES).
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About You
You should be trained in experimental solid state synthesis, synthesis of 2D and layered materials, and have experience of crystal growth. Experience of low-temperature experimental techniques, advanced microscopy techniques, including atomic force microscopy and electron microscopy, will be beneficial.
You will be an excellent communicator capable of working effectively both independently and as part of a lively research team. You will possess excellent planning and time management skills to ensure your research objectives are achieved effectively.
For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the
PhD Status
If you are near submission of your PhD, or have not yet had it conferred, any offers of employment will be made at Research Assistant level, at the highest spinal point of pay grade 5 (£34,610 per annum).
Upon receipt of evidence confirming the successful award of your PhD, you will be promoted to Research Fellow, at the lowest spinal point of grade 6 (£35,608 per annum).
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About the Department
Group/Team
The project takes place in the context of an exciting wider programme of Materials Physics and investigation currently underway within the Condensed Matter area of the Physics Department through the Warwick-Monash Alliance. The candidate will be based in the experimental groups (primarily the Superconductivity and Magnetism Group, with interaction with the Microscopy Group). There will also be opportunities to interact regularly with the Theoretical Physics Group and with partners at Monash University, Melbourne. Funds are available for travel to Melbourne for project meetings and experimental investigations.
The Superconductivity and Magnetism Group studies highly correlated electron systems including magnetic and exotic superconductors, intermetallic heavy fermions, topological materials, frustrated magnets and 2D materials grown as single crystals using a range of techniques. We make extensive use of neutron, synchrotron and muon sources worldwide, high magnetic field facilities, as well as in-house magnetometry, transport and related measurements. The group has an international reputation for its continued excellence in the long running EPSRC funded programme on “Single Crystal Growth at Warwick”. For further information about the Superconductivity and Magnetism Group, please visit our website at:
https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/physics/research/condensedmatt/supermag/
The Microscopy Group at Warwick has research interests that span a wide range of material systems and microscopy and spectroscopy techniques. We have extensive experience in structural characterisation of materials on atomic to mesoscopic length-scales and make use of a comprehensive suite of microscopes that are maintained by the University’s Microscopy Research Technology Platform. Of particular relevance to this post, we have expertise in the fabrication of two-dimensional materials and two-dimensional heterostructures and their study using a variety of microscopies (optical, electron, ion and scanning probe microscopy) and spectroscopies (primarily optical and photoemission spectroscopies).
The Theoretical Physics Group at Warwick has particular expertise in materials modelling, benefiting from a dynamic community around the HetSys Centre for Doctoral Training in Modelling of Heterogeneous Materials. Collaboration with activity in the Theory Group would enable corroboration of experimental characterisation via theoretical spectroscopy techniques based on machine learning and electronic structure calculations.
The candidate will also work with members of the wider Monash-Warwick Major Research Initiative, and benefit from association with other ongoing projects.
Department of Physics
The post will be based in the Department of Physics, a vibrant academic department with 200 academic, research, technical and professional services staff, over 800 undergraduate students and 200 postgraduate research students.
We are proud of our diverse community of staff, students, and visitors, and are committed to maintaining an excellent record in teaching and research by ensuring that there is equality of opportunity for all, fostered in an environment of mutual respect and dignity.
We hold an Athena SWAN Silver award, a national initiative to promote gender equality for all staff and students. We are also a Juno Champion, which is an award from the Institute of Physics to recognise our efforts to address the under-representation of women in university physics and to encourage better practice for both women and men.
Further information about working in the Department of Physics and the benefits available can be found at www.warwick.ac.uk/physics/staff/working/.
Childcare for Interviews
Childcare can be provided for you at the University of Warwick Nursery (www.warwick.ac.uk/services/childrensservices/nursery) in order for you to attend the interview. Childcare is subject to availability of places at the Nursery.
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About the University
We are a world-leading research-intensive university founded in 1965. We are ranked 74th in the world and 9th in the UK.* Additionally, 92% of our research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent.**
Find out more about us at warwick.ac.uk/about/.
- World University Ranking 2026, Complete University Guide 2026
** Research Excellence Framework 2021
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How to Apply
Closing Deadline: Tuesday 25th August 2026 at 11:55pm (UK Time)*
To apply, please click APPLY below and submit an application form by the closing deadline.
You will be asked to include a CV and Cover Letter. These documents should:
Outline employment and education history (including your most recent employment).
Demonstrate how you meet the essential and desirable criteria in the /*generated inline style */
Right to Work in the UK
If you do not yet have the right to work in the UK and/or are seeking sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa, please follow this link which contains further information about obtaining the right to work in the UK.
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