Research Fellow in Advanced Materials for Sustainability

Position Overview

Professor Choy’s team is 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 of earth abundant nanostructured catalysts for green energy and chemicals.
• Perform relevant literature survey, equipment design and integration.
• Develop non-vacuum chemical-based deposition of durable, robust and high performance superthin/thin/thick films, multilayer films, and nanocomposite coatings as well as evaluate their electrochemical performance.
• Complete safety and risk assessments of experimental work related to material synthesis, chemical precursor and nanomaterials handling, and materials characterization.
• Ensure equipment safety and maintenance in working order and observe Fire and Health & Safety Regulations.
• Procure and liaise with external materials and equipment suppliers.
• Record progress in laboratory books, analyze and write up experimental results.
• Ensure all tasks and project deliverables are submitted timely.
• Prepare technical reports and high-quality scientific papers for refereed journals.
• Prepare progress reports and presentations for funding bodies, project partners/collaborators, and the wider scientific community and public.
• Contribute to induction, training, and guidance of other research staff and students as requested.
• Perform other tasks as assigned.
• University employees' job responsibilities will continue to expand as the University grows in size and complexity.

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 applying nanoscale functional materials in energy, engineering, and environmental applications.
• Experience in materials science/engineering with simulation and/or experimental perspectives is highly desired.
• Experience providing solutions to materials problems.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills in English preferred.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Proven research skills with publications in high-quality peer-reviewed journals.
• Proven ability in materials design, nanomaterials synthesis, thin/thick film processing and characterization, device fabrication, and functional materials testing.
• Ability to operate materials processing and thin film chemical-based deposition equipment (e.g., sol-gel, chemical vapor 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 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.

Education

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

Years of Related Working Experience

Excellent fresh graduates will be considered; 1-2 years of working experience is preferred.