Research Fellow in Advanced Materials for Sustainability

Position Overview

Professor Choy’s team conducting research on sustainable advanced materials and process development to address global challenges in energy and environment for a better world.

You are invited to apply for one of the research fellow posts at Duke Kunshan University to be part of the growing team and to participate in innovative and cutting-edge sustainable materials research and knowledge transfer platform. The postholder will undertake fundamental, applied and translational research in areas of sustainable materials and process development that will lead to reduced energy consumption/carbon footprint/waste/ environmental impact and improved materials recyclability/reuse/recovery/ repair. This includes:

• Development of novel, eco-friendly and cost-effective nanostructured functional materials synthesis, materials processing and manufacturing.
• Design & develop new “clean and sustainable materials”, devices/system for energy generation (e.g. thin film solar cells, hydrogen technologies) and storage (batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells).
• Converting greenhouse gas into value-added fuels or chemicals.
• Catalysts development for green energy and chemicals.
• Modelling, design and development of sustainable, durable and smart multifunctional materials, devices for clean energy generation and storage systems.

Reports to

Prof. Kwang Leong Choy, Professor of Materials Science

Essential Duties

• Conduct research and development of nanoscale multifunctional thin films, electrodes and membranes for renewable energy, especially with respect to materials design and discovery, chemical precursor formulation, deposition, characterization and optimization of materials, device fabrication and performance evaluation.
• Synthesis and characterization earth abundant nanostructured catalysts for green energy and chemicals.
• Perform relevant literature survey, equipment design and integration.
• To undertake the development of non-vacuum chemical-based deposition of durable, robust and high performance superthin/thin/thick films, multilayer films, and nanocomposite coatings as well as to evaluate their electrochemical performance.
• To complete safety and risk assessments of experimental work in relation to material synthesis, handling of chemical precursor and nanomaterials and materials characterization.
• Responsible for ensuring that equipment is safe and maintained in working order as well as observation of Fire and Health & Safety Regulations.
• Procure and liaise with external materials and equipment suppliers.
• Record progress in a laboratory book, analyses and write up the experimental results.
• Ensure all tasks and project deliverables are submitted in a timely manner.
• Prepare technical reports and high-quality scientific papers to refereed journals.
• Prepare progress reports and presentations on funded research to funding bodies, project partners/collaborators and wider scientific community and public as required.
• Contribute to the induction, training and direction of other research staff and students as requested.
• Perform other tasks as assigned.
• University employees' job responsibilities will continue to expand in scope and depth as the University grows in size and complexity in its programs.

Required Qualifications

• Experience in sustainable functional materials and process development.
• Experience in materials design, processing, nanomaterials, nanostructured films and nanocomposite coatings deposition via non vacuum chemical routes and printing, and materials characterization.
• Experience in device fabrication and characterization.
• Experience in application evaluations of nanoscale functional materials for energy, engineering, and environmental applications.
• Experience in the field of materials science/engineering field with simulation and/or experimental perspectives are highly desired.
• Experience in providing solutions to materials problems.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills in English is preferred.
• Strong organisational skills.
• Proven research skills and ability to publish research in high quality peer reviewed journals.
• Proven ability in materials design, synthesis of nanomaterials, thin/thick film processing and characterization, device fabrication and testing of functional materials.
• Ability in operating materials processing and thin film chemical-based deposition equipment (e.g., sol-gel, chemical vapour deposition, aerosol chemical deposition, electrospray deposition) and printing.
• Ability to operate XRD, SEM-EDX/WDX, Raman, AFM, stylus profilometer, UV-Vis, FTIR, DSC/DTA/TGA, electrochemical, electrical and mechanical properties testing equipment.
• Proven ability in equipment development, design modification and integration.
• Commitment to high quality independent and collaborative research.
• Strong creative thinker and problem-solver.
• Reliable, dedicated, dependable and punctual.

Education

• MSc/MEng in Materials Science/Engineering and related disciplines, such as Materials Chemistry, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Nanoscience & Technology or relevant postgraduate degree disciplines.

Years of Related Working Experience

• Excellent fresh graduates will be considered, with 1-2 working experiences is preferred.