Lecturer in Materials

Nicholas Joinson

  • In my current research, I’m building optical based sensors to detect pollutants in river water.
  • I like the fact that the tutorial system allows for students to really let their curiosity shine through. I often get asked excellent and challenging questions in tutorials, which I enjoy exploring with students.
  • The sensors I’ve been developing can fit into the palm of your hand! This is significantly smaller than competing technologies.
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Profile

Since 2023, I have been a Research Engineer in the Materials Department, working in Professor Jason Smith’s Photonic Nanomaterials Group. Prior to this, I did the Materials MEng degree here at Oxford, and have stuck here ever since! My current research sees me develop optical microcavity based chemical sensors, with the target application of nitrate and phosphate detection in rivers and lakes. I’m a keen open water swimmer, so developing a technology which will help keep our natural water clean in the UK is something I’m very passionate about. 

Teaching

I’m teaching tutorials for the Materials 2nd Years at Trinity. I also teach 1st years at Mansfield, where I am the Materials Study Skills Mentor. At the department level, I occasionally mark papers and deliver exam-feedback sessions. 

Subjects
Materials Science
Nicholas Joinson
nicholas.joinson@materials.ox.ac.uk