The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

We have an exciting opportunity on an new EPSRC-funded project on organic semiconductor materials and devices. This project will explore exciton dynamics under electrical excitation (transient electroluminescence) to uncover how these processes impact OLED performance. Our goal is to overcome exciton degradation and unlock breakthroughs in display technologies.

You will contribute to the development of OLEDs, combining cleanroom fabrication with advanced optical and electrical characterization techniques. They will join the LUMOS group (Luminescent Materials and Organic Semiconductors) and work closely with a multidisciplinary team, including the group leader, Dr Paloma dos Santos and PhD students. The role also offers exciting opportunities for collaboration with leading academic and industrial partners in Germany, Switzerland, and Japan.

We strongly encourage applications from individuals who may not meet all the specified requirements but are passionate about developing organic-based devices and have experience in material characterization, particularly photophysics. You will be part of a collaborative and supportive team that values open science and inclusivity alongside research and innovation.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Undertake experimental research activities on organic semiconductors including device fabrication and characterization, building and maintaining optoelectronic set-ups. 

• Develop hypotheses, experimental protocols, analytical approaches, and samples to achieve the research programme’s goal.

• Lead on design and planning of experimental work with members of the research team as required.

• Manage own academic and research administrative activities. This will involve small scale project management to coordinate aspects of work to meet deadlines.

• Obtain, analyse, and interpret data whilst keeping clear and accessible records.

• Interact and collaborate with academic and industrial partners at University of Sheffield and other institutions to develop effective and positive collaborations.

• Regularly update the research team on project progress and development.

• Support and maintain a collegiate and supportive research environment and contribute to the supervision of junior members of the research team.

• Represent the research group at conferences, internal and external meetings. This includes preparing and delivering papers and presentations to disseminate research findings.

• Write supporting documents (such as standard operating protocols, reports, etc.) to support the research team and wider community.

• Work with the team to design and develop future experiments, funding applications, scientific papers, and partnerships.

• Stay up-to-date on latest developments and findings in the field.

• Actively participate in the research team’s collaborative research including taking on roles in lab safety, ordering, providing training and administration as required.

• As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.

• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification 

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Essential criteria

• Hold or be close to completing a PhD in either physics, chemistry, materials science, electronic engineering or a related discipline (or have equivalent experience) (assessed at application)

• Expertise in at least one of the following: device fabrication, photophysical characterization, electroluminescence spectroscopy, transient spectroscopy.  (assessed at application and interview)

• Experience of experimental research in organic semiconductors, or related semiconductor technologies. (assessed at application and interview)

• Ability to direct your own research and interpret your results independently (assessed at application and interview)

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills (assessed at application and interview)

• Ability to work effectively within a team environment including individuals both internal and external to the University (assessed at application and interview)

• Ability to plan own workload and prioritise conflicting deadlines. (assessed at application and interview)

• Ability to make decisions and apply creative approaches to solving complex technical problems (assessed at application and interview)

Desirable criteria

• Experience fabricating OLEDs and/or organic semiconductor thin films.

• Ability to work with external academic or industrial collaborators

and partners (assessed at application and interview)

• Good track record of high-quality publications (assessed at application)

Further Information

Grade: 7

Duration: Start 1 October 2025, duration 36 months

Line manager: Dr Paloma dos Santos, Lecturer in Semiconductor Materials and Devices

For informal enquiries about this job contact Dr Paloma dos Santos on p.l.dossantos@sheffield.ac.uk 

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in June 2025. This will consist of an interview and a presentation. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage in June 2025. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact eee-postaward@sheffield.ac.uk.

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.

• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.

• Generous pension scheme.

• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.

• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).

• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.

• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways.

• A range of generous family-friendly policies

• paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies

• support for those going through the menopause

• paid time off and support for fertility treatment

• and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.