Closing date for applications: 30 September 2015 at 5 pm

As part of the Marie Curie Initial Training Network (SIMDALEE2) recently formed to study low energy electron interactions with matter, a 3-year Early Stage Researcher position (ESR5) is available at the University of Cambridge, UK, in the Department of Physics. The starting date is as soon as possible, to be agreed. The network includes 8 academic and 4 industrial groups from across the European Union as well as 3 associate partners from Europe. The doctoral programme will provide a range of educational and research opportunities focused on the physics of spin polarised field emitters (experimentally) and the Schrödinger's equation for non-planar emitters (theoretically).

The post holder will work in the Thin Film Magnetism Group under the supervision of Prof. C. Barnes, Dr. A. Ionescu and Dr. C. Edgcombe on Mott polarimetry for the characterisation of spin polarised field emitters. He/she will investigate the effect of adsorbates on the spin polarisation of secondary electron emission from a specimen (and emitter) and want to deduce from these information on the exchange interaction. This will involve also the modification of a molecular beam epitaxy chamber. Theoretically, the candidate will use first-principles methods and density functional theory to produce a 3D model for nanoscale field emitters while investigating methods for solving Schrödinger's equation for non-planar emitters. For part of the time she/he will be seconded to FEI (NL), Juelich (GER) and Vienna (AUT) to study near field emission spectroscopy and the interaction of low energy electrons with matter.

The research training will be towards a PhD and therefore applicants must also gain admission as a graduate student. The funds for this post are available for 3 years.

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