The School of Mathematics and Physics at Queen’s University Belfast is seeking a Research Fellow to undertake transmission electron microscopy based characterisation of antiferroelectric thin films as part of a continuing collaborative US-Ireland project. The successful candidate will be based within the Centre for Quantum Materials Technologies (CQMT), which has an ongoing world-class research activity on Ferroelectrics and domain wall phenomena.
The position will assume responsibility for the delivery of specific research objectives as part of a continuing NSF/SFI/DELNI US Ireland project that will help unveil transitional states in an antiferroelectric material with strong implications for energy storage. The tri-partite project comprises of teams from Georgia Institute of Technology (USA) led by Prof. Nazanin Bassiri-Gharb, University of South Florida (USA) led by Dr. Sergey Lisenkov, Trinity College Dublin (Republic of Ireland) led by Prof. Lewys Jones, and Queen’s University Belfast (Northern Ireland) led by Dr. Amit Kumar. The planned research will be pursued at a fundamental level and will be heavily experimentally focussed with QUB effort aimed at polarisation mapping and atomic resolution characterisation of antiferroelectric thin films. This is an opportunity to get involved in a cutting-edge research programme: the appointee will work within the PI’s group alongside PhD students, as well as members of other groups associated with the nanoscale ferroelectrics activity in the Centre.
The successful candidate must have, and your application should clearly demonstrate that you meet the following essential criteria:
- Degree or equivalent in physics, materials science or other cognate area of relevance to the post.
- Hold or about to obtain a PhD in a relevant area (e.g. Physics, Materials Science).
- Significant relevant experience in electron microscopy applied to materials characterisation, using following techniques: high-resolution TEM imaging (HRTEM), Electron Diffraction, bright/dark field imaging, scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS).
- Experience in Ferroelectric/antiferroelectric Physics and Domain/Domain wall Phenomena with emphasis on polarisation mapping.
- Experience in FIB techniques including in-situ and ex-situ lamella lift-out sample preparation.
- Experience operating in-situ TEM holders (e.g. heat, bias) and ability to carry out dynamic TEM experiments.
- Relevant data analysis for High resolution TEM techniques.
This is not an exhaustive list. To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information on our website.
This post is available for 5 months or until 31/12/2026 whichever is soonest. Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.
What we offer:
Beyond a competitive salary, the University offers an attractive benefits package including a holiday entitlement of up to 8.4 weeks a year, pension schemes and development opportunities. We support staff wellbeing with flexible working options, work-life balance initiatives and support for physical and mental health. You can find more detail on all of this and more at
Queen’s University is committed to promoting equality of opportunity to all. We subscribe to Equality Charter Marks such as the Diversity Charter Mark NI and Athena Swan and have established staff networks such as iRise (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International Staff Network) and PRISM (LGBTQ+) which help us progress equality. For further information on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, please visit
If you are an international applicant and don’t already hold a visa that permits you to take up the role you are applying for, please use the information provided on our website to self-assess whether the University is likely to be able to support a visa application –
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