Jin Zhang

Dr. Jin Zhang is a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Microwave Electronics at the School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), UK. He teaches in the Joint Programme (JP) between QMUL and Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications (BUPT). His academic journey includes a PhD in Physical Electronics from Southeast University (Nanjing, China) in 2019, followed by postdoctoral research at QMUL before his current appointment.

His educational background includes:

• PhD in Physical Electronics from Southeast University (2013-2018)
• MSc in Physical Electronics from Southeast University (2011-2013)
• BEng in Mechanical Engineering and Automation from Southeast University (2007-2011)

Dr. Zhang's research focuses on high-power microwave and millimetre wave with applications in nuclear fusion, as well as the applications of THz/optical spectroscopy in astrochemistry. His group is committed to accelerating commercial nuclear fusion by developing compact, cost-effective, and commercially scalable high-power microwave and millimetre-wave sources (magnetrons, etc.) capable of heating fusion plasmas to 100 million degrees Celsius. He has strong collaborations with the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), particularly on the development of high-power millimetre-wave sources and superconducting quench-detection systems for the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) project. Additionally, he conducts laboratory studies on the formation and evolution of prebiotic molecules in the universe using facilities like the FELIX Laboratory in the Netherlands and the ASTRID synchrotron radiation source in Denmark.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on magnetron design for fusion applications, vacuum electron devices, and spectroscopic studies of interstellar ice analogs. The research spans electrical engineering, plasma physics, and astrochemistry, with applications ranging from nuclear fusion energy to understanding the chemical processes in space that may lead to life.

Dr. Zhang has received recognition through his fellowships including FHEA (Fellow of the Higher Education Academy), MIEEE (Member of IEEE), and FRAS (Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society).

He currently supervises PhD students including Awais Mohammed Khan (working on High-Power Millimetre-Wave Magnetrons), Awais Khan, Chunfu Liu, and Nuradin Muktar. His research is supported by grants from the UK Atomic Energy Authority, including "Quench Detection for high-power superconducting (HTS) Magnets through Time-Domain Reflectometry using Directional Coupler" (£199,648) and "Quench Detection Mechanism for HTS Magnets Through Time-Domain Reflectometry" (£30,000).

Dr. Zhang's research group is actively engaged in developing technologies for nuclear fusion energy and conducting spectroscopic studies related to astrochemistry. His work bridges the gap between academia and industry with the goal of turning fusion from a scientific challenge into a commercial reality.