Assistant Professor in Thin Film Materials and Surface Engineering

About the role

The university is looking for an Assistant Professor in Thin Film Materials and Surface Engineering. The successful candidate joins a dynamic academic and research team focused on advanced thin film deposition, surface modification and characterization, with a view to developing protective coatings and functional materials for industrial applications, including plasma treatments.

Key responsibilities

• Research thin film deposition by physical vapor deposition (magnetron sputtering) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD)
• Develop thin film materials with tailored properties for corrosion resistance, wear resistance and low-friction coatings
• Apply low-pressure plasma treatments such as nitriding and carburizing to improve hardness, wear resistance and fatigue life of metallic surfaces
• Characterize thin films structurally, morphologically, mechanically and chemically
• Collaborate with industry partners on scalable solutions for wear and corrosion protection, and explore energy, medical and automotive applications
• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in materials science, thin film deposition, surface engineering and characterization
• Supervise master and PhD students and publish in high-impact journals and present at international conferences

Required profile

• Ph.D. in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Physics or a related field
• Demonstrated expertise in surface engineering techniques and proven track record in thin film materials for corrosion protection
• Publication record in low-pressure thin film deposition, PVD, surface engineering or related fields
• Proven teaching skills and experience supervising undergraduate and graduate students
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with academics and industry

Required skills

• Surface characterization: XPS, AFM, SEM, Raman spectroscopy, hardness, scratch, friction and roughness testing
• Thin film synthesis and processing

Candidates apply through the online application portal with a motivation statement, CV, research summary, teaching statement and three references; shortlisted candidates meet the selection committee.