Professor Richard Jones FRS

Richard Jones conducts seminal work in the field of polymers and biopolymers at surfaces and interfaces, with implications for polymer blends. He pioneered the use of ion beam methods (later complemented by neutron reflectivity measurements) to study the segregation of one component to the surface of a blend. This in turn led to elegant experiments on capillary wave broadening of interfaces, using neutron reflectivity. His innovative experiments on the thickness-dependence of glass transitions in thin films has stimulated a new research field. Recently, he has extended his studies to the denaturation of proteins at interfaces, demonstrating how the surface hydrophilicity has a strong effect, with implications for problems ranging from fouling to disease.

Professional position

  • Professor of Material Physics and Innovation Policy, The University of Manchester
  • Professor of Physics, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield
  • Council Member, Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council

Subject groups

  • Astronomy and Physics

    Condensed matter incl softmatter, liquids, nano-materials

Committees Participated Role
Council November 2019 - November 2022 Member
Research System Community of Interest November 2018 - December 2024 Member
Animate Materials Working Group June 2018 - December 2022 Member
Science Policy Expert Advisory Committee January 2017 - December 2019 Member
Planning and Resources Committee November 2015 - December 2023 Member
Doctoral Students’ Career Expectations Steering Group January 2015 - December 2015 Member
Sectional Committee 2: Astronomy and physics December 2007 - November 2010 Member