PhD in Condensed Matter Physics - Organic Control of Topological Surface States for THz Logic

The School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Glasgow is looking for a motivated graduate to undertake a 3.5 year PhD project investigating Organic Control of Topological Surface States for THz Logic. This is an EPSRC funded PhD studentship which will provide exciting training opportunities, will integrate the student into an international network of top researchers, and provide the chance to work at the cutting edge of materials science and electron microscopy. The project will be hosted by the University of Glasgow.

Topological Insulators are a special class of materials which exhibit a conducting surface state as a consequence of band inversion. This surface state has remarkable properties, including spin-momentum locking and near lossless transport of Dirac fermions. These materials have a wealth of applications in computing, sensing and THz communications. Topological surface states can be actively controlled through the use of organic dopants, providing a route towards low-loss, THz logic devices.

The project will be supervised by Dr Timothy Moorsom, Lecturer in Advanced Materials and Royal Academy of Engineering Fellow in the Materials and Condensed Matter Physics group. The successful candidate will fabricate and measure topological-insulator-organic hybrid devices for plasmonic applications. They will utilise the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre cleanroom facilities as well as the Kelvin Nanocharacterisation Centre’s electron microscopy equipment, developing cutting edge skills with state-of-the-art equipment. In addition to work at the University of Glasgow, they will utilise the Royce Institute’s multifunctional MBE, at the University of Leeds, to grow novel topological materials. There will also be opportunities to take part in collaborative experiments at national and international facilities such as the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, the Paul Scherrer Institute in Zurich and the ALBA synchrotron in Barcelona. This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious student to develop cutting edge skills and become part of an international research network.

The Materials and Condensed Matter Physics group at the University of Glasgow is one of the UK’s leading research groups in electron microscopy and spintronics. The successful candidate will be entering a vibrant and active research environment with extensive training and support infrastructure available to enable them to deliver world leading research. This will include extensive training in advanced electron microscopy techniques, sample preparation and lithography. In addition, they will become a full user of the Royce Deposition system and gain access to a unique world class growth facility.

The student will be supported in participating in UK and international conferences covering spintronics, plasmonics and microscopy. They

will also be supported in publishing their work in high-impact peer-reviewed journals.

Please contact Timothy Moorsom with any initial enquiries. Please include details of past research experience, a CV and a one page cover letter. In the case that you expect to graduate in 2021, please provide an up to date HEAR, or an equivalent summary of your progress, and expected graduation date. If successful, a conditional offer will be made on this basis.

Applicants should apply via the University of Glasgow

Application Portal after contacting Dr Timothy Moorsom.

A Bachelors or Masters Degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering or a closely related subject, or the expectation that you will

graduate with such a degree, is required. A first class degree is strongly preferred. Additional research experience, such as placements or summer projects, is desirable.