Experimental Physicist

Job Description Experimental Physicist | Harwell, Oxfordshire | Competitive Salary + EquityThis is a role for a rare kind of physicist: one who is energised, not unsettled, by exploring unanswered questions.IONECH is a seed-stage energy hardware start-up based at Harwell, Oxfordshire.We'redeveloping the Air Voltaic (AV) Cell an energy-harvesting device that uses controlled interactions between electrons and oxygen in air to capture subtle natural differences in the environment, converting available exergy into electrical power. At scale, it sits at the base of the energy stack: a platform power source that reduces grid dependence acrossvirtually everyelectrical use case.The science is novel, the engineering is hard, and the technology pushes at the boundaries of current understanding. Not every question has an answer yet andthat'sthe point.We'relooking for an Experimental Physicist who can make confident progress in that environment: someone who knows when to move, when to ask, and how to extract signal from incomplete information as the full picture graduallyemerges.The workYou'lldesign, build, and iterate on physical prototypes in our Harwell lab, working directly alongside chemists and engineers on a problem that sits at the intersection of plasma physics, field emission, and energy conversion. This is a ground-floor experimental role.Your hands-on work will directly shape the direction of the technology.You'llneed to be comfortable designing and running experiments without a complete theoretical picture in hand, drawing on your own judgement while actively tapping into the range of specialisms around you;physicists, chemists, and engineers who each hold a piece of the puzzle. The team is collaborative by design; knowing when to seek input is a strength here, not a gap.Design and fabricate experimental energy cell components and prototypesDevelop and refine field emitter design,geometries, morphologies, and materials,iterating to optimise reactive oxygen species (ROS) yieldCharacterise field emission behaviour using Fowler-Nordheim analysisManage low-energy plasma conditions (pressure, gas composition, ionisation density) to reliably generate ROSWork closely with chemists and physicists to investigate the ROS generation-consumption cycle,identifyingcatalytic surfaces and environments that maximise exothermic yieldBuild andmaintaina diagnostic suite including vacuum/pressure systems, high-voltage emission measurement, mass spectrometry or optical emission spectroscopy, calorimetry, and thermal imagingMaintain rigorous experimental records, analyse results quantitatively, and contribute to internal technical reports, IP documentation, grant applications, and investor materialsIdentifyknowledge gaps and opportunities for innovation and optimisationEnsure compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards, and contribute to a safe, well-organised lab environmentWhatwe'relooking forYou'llneed:A PhD in experimental physics, plasma physics, applied physics, or a closely related field (candidates with aMaster'sdegree plus substantial relevant industry experience will be considered)Demonstrated hands-on experience building and operating vacuum or low-pressure plasma systemsStrong working knowledge of field emission theory and cold cathode device physicsExperience with high-voltage electronics design and safe operating practiceProficiencyin experimental data acquisition and analysis (Python, MATLAB, or equivalent), including quantitative uncertainty estimationThe ability to design and fabricate experimental apparatus independentlyYou'llstand out if you have:Familiarity with reactive oxygen species chemistry, electrochemical cells, or plasma-assisted catalysisExperience with thermoelectric or other solid-state energy conversion devicesA background in nano-structured emitter fabricationKnowledge of optical emission spectroscopy or mass spectrometry for plasma diagnosticsPrior start-up or small-team research experienceContributions to patents or commercialisation of laboratory technologyWhat we offerCompetitive salary benchmarked to your experience and backgroundEquity you share in whatwe'rebuildingPrivate medical healthcareCompany pensionFlexible, trust-based working cultureA well-equipped lab at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus on the doorstep of one of Europe's leading concentrations of physics and energy research, and close to the communities of RAL, UKAEA, and the broader Harwell deep tech ecosystemA small team where your work is visible and consequential from day oneHow to applySend your CV and a covering letter (one page maximum) explaining why this problem interests you and which parts of your experience are most relevant to the essential criteria.We read every application. Wedon'tuse screening software.

Created: 2026-03-12