[Neutron] Postdoctoral Research Associates in High Pressure Structural Physics

[John Loveday]

Postdoctoral Research Associates in High Pressure Structural Physics

We invite applications for two or more postdoctoral research associates 
to join the High Pressure Structural Physics Group in the School of 
Physics at the University of Edinburgh, following the award of a £1.7M 
Programme Grant. We seek highly motivated individuals who can contribute 
to experimental research in one or more of the project areas funded by 
the Grant. The main areas are:

·	Development of new techniques for high-pressure neutron diffraction 
with single-crystal, powder and liquid/amorphous samples, at the UK 
source ISIS in Oxfordshire
·	Neutron diffraction studies of ices (e.g. H2O, NH3, CH4), gas 
hydrates, fundamental molecular systems (e.g. N2, O2, H2), mixed 
molecular systems and iron-rich phases (e.g. FeS) under pressures up to 
30GPa and above, mainly carried out at ISIS but possibly also at Saclay 
or the Institut Laue-Langevin in France.
·	Development of new techniques for high-pressure x-ray diffraction with 
single-crystal, powder and liquid/amorphous samples, at the UK 
synchrotron source SRS at Daresbury in Cheshire
·	X-ray diffraction studies of metallic elements (e.g. alkali and 
alkaline earth metals, lanthanides, Bi, Te), fundamental binary systems 
(e.g. GaAs, InSb, GaSb, CsI, NaBr) and novel materials (e.g. alkali 
metal/transition metal alloys) under pressures up to 100GPa and above, 
mainly carried out at SRS and on in-house x-ray facilities, but also at 
the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in France
·	Development and use of complementary techniques, such as optical 
spectroscopy, in the new Centre for Science at Extreme Conditions (CSEC) 
in Edinburgh

The programme is primarily focused on basic research into phases, 
transitions and properties of fundamental systems at high pressure, and 
at high pressure coupled with high and low temperature.  A significant 
part of this work relates to geoplanetary science, through topics such 
as planetary ices. And a growing new strand involves studies of novel 
materials produced at high P and T.
There is scope for you build up an individual research profile within 
the stimulating environment offered by the group, in an overall 
programme that involves extensive UK and international collaborations.
You must have a PhD in physics, chemistry, geosciences or a related 
subject. These posts are full-time and normally for either 24 or 36 
months, on the salary scale £18,265-£33,679 (AR1A or AR2) according to 
experience and qualifications. The start date for these posts is as soon 
as possible, preferably before 01 October 2003, but later by mutual 
agreement.
Further particulars, including more details of the project areas, along 
with the formal application procedure, can be found at 
http://www.jobs.ed.ac.uk/ under reference number 312463. After reading 
the further particulars, questions can be addressed to R.J. Nelmes, M.I. 
McMahon or J.S. Loveday, whose contact details and research areas are 
listed in the further particulars. Anyone unable to access the further 
particulars may obtain them from Dr M.I. McMahon, School of Physics, 
University of Edinburgh, Kings Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh EH9 
3JZ; email: mim at ph.ed.ac.uk.
The closing date for applications is 25 June 2003.