DI-11 Post doctoral Researcher: Development of chemical anti-counterfeiting tags for the protection of cultural heritage
Contract: Full time/Fixed Term
Are you creative, self-motivated and collaborative with a passion for research?
If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join us and advance your career by developing nanostructured anti-counterfeiting materials and solutions for the preservation of cultural heritage. The goal of the project is the realisation of novel, cost effective, non-destructive, and non-invasive chemical tags for the unique identification of artefacts and their protection against illegal activities.
Tyndall National Institute is a leading European research centre in integrated ICT hardware. We focus on solving societal challenges through deep-tech innovation in materials, devices, circuits and systems. We collaborate with industry and academic partners to transform research from atoms to systems into products in our core market areas of Communications, Agri-Tech, Energy, Environment and Health. We are a diverse, inclusive and family-friendly community of over 500 researchers, engineers, technicians, professional services and support staff, and postgraduate students.
Within the Micro & Nano Systems (MNS) Centre at Tyndall, one of our core strengths is development and integration of materials, devices and systems for smart sensing. As part of the EU-funded HORIZON-CL2-2022-HERITAGE-01 Aurora (Artwork Unique RecognitiOn and tRacking through chemicAl encoded data, miniaturized devices and blockchain alliance), the at Tyndall is offering a Ph.D. studentship on development of nanostructured material formulations and processes for the realisation of chemical tags displaying uniqueness, cost effective, non-destructive, and non-invasive characteristics for the identification of artefacts and their protection against illegal activities.
Key Responsibilities
As the successful candidate, you will:
1. Design, develop and characterise (nanostructured) material formulations, including flexible and/or transparent features, with fluorescent, spectral readout and/or unique morphological features suitable for tag development.
2. Develop solutions for self-assembly and deposition methodologies for non-invasive incorporation of tags into works of art.
3. Assess durability of tags and their anti-counterfeiting features
4. Collaborate with colleagues within the Nanotechnology Group, the Wireless Network group in Tyndall, and with AURORA partners to develop sustainable solutions for art ant counterfeiting.
5. Participate in Education and Public Engagement activities, as required.
6. Ensure all activities are compliant with the Tyndall Quality Management system.
7. Ensure all activities are compliant with the required Health and Safety standards.
8. Carry out any additional duties as may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post.
Essential Criteria
To make the most of this exciting opportunity, you will
9. Have a PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering or have an equivalent and relevant professional qualification or equivalent research experience.
10. Have succeeded in self-motivated delivery of research projects at postgraduate or research level.
11. Be passionate about working in partnership with our team to share and co-develop expertise.
Desirable Criteria
12. Good laboratory and problem-solving skills.
13. High levels of initiative, project management, self-management, achievement-orientation, and motivation are encouraged.
14. Expertise in nanomaterial synthesis and characterisation (i.e. carbon dots, quantum dot, plasmonic materials, polymer nanowires/nanoparticles etc.), self-assembly, spectroscopy, photoluminescence, printing and other deposition techniques.
What we offer: Full coverage of travel expenses to international conferences to present project outcomes. Fully-funded training opportunities.
Appointment may be made on the IUA Researcher Scale € 41,207- € 47,477 per annum. Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with public sector pay policy.