Postdoctoral Research Associate In Self-Healing Materials

About the Role Applications are invited for a full-time Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) to work on an ERC Starting Grant/UKRI Frontier Research Grant in the group of Dr. Wei Tan. The ERC Starting Grant project, "LSIMPACT: Life-like Resilient Materials for Mitigating Liquid-Solid Impact Damage," aims to understand the effects of high-speed liquid collisions with solid surfaces, such as erosion on wind turbine blades and aircraft components, and cavitation damage on ship propellers. LSIMPACT aims to reveal the mechanisms underlying liquid-solid impact damage using innovative experimental and computational approaches, thereby guiding the development of advanced impact-resistant materials. The main purpose of this role is to develop self-healing materials that are resilient to liquid-solid impact. The post will collaborate with two postdocs specialising in experimental mechanics and computational modelling, and three PhD students. This post will also collaborate with Prof. James Busfield (FREng) at Queen Mary University of London and Prof Chaoying Wan at University of Warick who have extensive experience of self-healing materials. About You The ideal candidate should possess or be nearing completion of a PhD in Materials Science or a closely related field such as Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering, supplemented by relevant research experience. Essential qualifications include hands-on experience in self-healing materials and polymer synthesis. Additionally, proficiency in utilising advanced analytical techniques, including spectroscopy methods like FTIR and NMR, coupled with expertise in rheology and mechanical testing, is paramount for evaluating healing efficiency, rate, and durability. A solid understanding and practical experience in the domains of self-healing mechanisms or mechanics of materials are essential. Furthermore, familiarity with polymer composites will be considered a distinct advantage.About Queen Mary At Queen Mary University of London, we believe that a diversity of ideas helps us achieve the previously unthinkable.Throughout our history, we’ve fostered social justice and improved lives through academic excellence. And we continue to live and breathe this spirit today, not because it’s simply ‘the right thing to do’ but for what it helps us achieve and the intellectual brilliance it delivers.Our reformer heritage informs our conviction that great ideas can and should come from anywhere. It’s an approach that has brought results across the globe, from the communities of east London to the favelas of Rio de Janeiro.We continue to embrace diversity of thought and opinion in everything we do, in the belief that when views collide, disciplines interact, and perspectives intersect, truly original thought takes form.Benefits In return, we offer 30 days’ leave per annum, access to a pension scheme, a season ticket loan scheme and competitive salaries. We also offer enhanced family friendly leave, and an on-site nursery at the Mile End campus. You will also work with a friendly team, with personal development opportunities.Queen Mary’s commitment to our diverse and inclusive community is embedded in our appointments processes. Reasonable adjustments will be made at each stage of the recruitment process for any candidate with a disability.