Assistant Scientist - Materials & Nanotechnology

Our Nanotechnology client are seeking an Assistant Scientist to join their team in Oxford.
 
This role forms a key part of the Product Integration team, and mainly focuses on contributing to the design and development of functional Nano-coatings alongside fellow Scientists and Technicians. 

Key responsibilities; 

•    To support the development of functional nano-coatings with controlled properties for production purposes using plasma deposition. 
•    Work on R&D project(s) to expand knowledge base and contribute to understanding the physical mechanisms that lead to the desirable coating performance.   
•    Help optimise new processes and testing methods. 
•    Maintain safe and efficient working in the laboratory. 
•    Report to senior members of the team and actively participate in team discussions. 
•    Consult relevant literature and help devise effective experimental design and analysis. 
•    Demonstrate initiative and make suggestions for advancing projects. 
•    Assist other team members in evaluating the quality of their measurements and interpreting their results.  
•    Ensure that measurements are conducted correctly, and all the necessary documentation is in place. 

Skills, Behaviours & Experience  
•    Degree in Chemistry, Surface Science, Materials Science or similar.
•    Established experience in laboratory based experimental work. 
•    Ability to collate and analyse experimental data, report data to line manager/senior scientists.  
•    Good communication and presentation skills. 
•    Ability to work as part of project team & build relationships with colleagues at all levels. 
•    Ability to work under pressure to achieve goals to agreed timing. 
•    Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Excel and Word). 
•    Motivated to deliver practical results & flexible to changing requirements. 
•    Professional and positive outlook to all tasks and requests from line and project 
•    manager. 
•    Effective planning and organisation skills - ability to balance multiple tasks and prioritise critical tasks. 
•    Demonstrate a good eye for detail and use of initiative. 
•    Able to make suggestions and contribute to technical discussions and debates. 

Desirable: 
•    Background in the development of barrier coatings for protection from electrochemical 
•    corrosion.  
•    An understanding of polymer chemistry, coating growth mechanisms and 
•    characterisation.    
•    Hands on experience or understanding of surface analytical techniques such as SEM/EDX, AFM, XPS, SIMS or standard materials analysis techniques such as XRD, FTIR, DSC, TGA