Post-doctoral position in Magnetoelastic and multiferroic behaviour of magnetic minerals

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral research position in the University of Cambridge funded by a grant from the Leverhulme Foundation to Prof. Michael Carpenter. The interdisciplinary project involves experimental investigation of the elastic properties of magnetic iron oxide and sulphide minerals as simultaneous functions of temperature and magnetic field, primarily using unique facilities for Resonant Ultrasound Spectroscopy (RUS). The RUS technique allows elastic and anelastic properties of small single crystal and ceramic samples to be determined over wide temperature intervals and in a magnetic field up to 14 Teslas. Results are compared with more conventional dc and ac magnetic measurements. The scientific objectives are to investigate the role of elastic strain and microstructure dynamics in controlling the magnetic/structural evolution of minerals which have relatively simple crystal structures but which also display multiferroic behaviour.

Familiarity with the specific research involved is not a prerequisite but prior experience of phase transitions and/or of magnetic materials would be an advantage. The successful candidate will either have a PhD in a relevant field (e.g. mineralogy, mineral physics, materials physics, solid state chemistry) or have recently submitted a relevant PhD dissertation and will have a track record of publication in peer-reviewed international journals, together with good communication skills for presenting results at international meetings.

To apply go to http://www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/12589/