Postdoctoral Research Associate in Operando XPS

A postdoctoral research position is available in the Development of Operando X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy within the group of Professor Robert Weatherup in the Department of Materials at the University of Oxford.

Although near-Ambient Pressure XPS has enabled operando measurements of surface chemical processes in recent years, it is limited to low pressures (~ mbar) and complex, dedicated instrumentation often located at synchrotron facilities. We have recently developed operando cells which can perform XPS measurements at > 1 bar pressure by using graphene membranes as X-ray and electron transparent windows to separate a liquid/gas environment from the vacuum conditions typically needed (see 10.26434/chemrxiv-2025-0cgp0). This role therefore aims to translate this approach from the synchrotron to conventional lab-based XPS instruments, to make it a widely accessible research tool for academia and industry.

You will have responsibility for adapting ultrahigh vacuum equipment to accommodate the reaction cells, implementing gas and liquid delivery, and developing improvements in how the graphene windows are produced. Following from this, you will benchmark the performance, reliability and safety of your design and have the opportunity to demonstrate its performance by studying key catalytic reactions important to the energy transition.

Previous experience of adapting/developing vacuum instrumentation and a track record of peer-reviewed publications are essential. This 24 month position is available from 1st October 2025 or shortly thereafter.

Group website with research details and publications:

https://emi.web.ox.ac.uk 

All applications must be made online using the Oxford University E-Recruitment system, no later than 12 noon on 31st July 2025. You will be required to upload a CV and a Supporting Statement as part of your application.  Please do not attach any manuscripts, papers, transcripts, mark sheets or certificates as these will not be considered as part of your application.

The Supporting Statement should include short sections on the following (1-2 paragraphs each):

(a) previous experience in instrumentation development

(b) previous hands-on experience of XPS

Interviews are scheduled to take place at the Department of Materials on Tuesday 12th August 2025 and you must be available on this date, either by Teams, Zoom or in person.