DescriptionGrade and Salary: Grade 7 (£36,023 - £45,585)
FTE and working pattern: Full time 35 hours per week, Fixed term contract for 36 months
The post holder will join the Quantum Theory Team led by Prof Erik Gauger with a focus on a range of topics spanning quantum information, -metrology and -energy. The appointee will be embedded in the vibrant and diverse environment offered by the Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences with ample opportunity to interact and collaborate with related theoretical and experimental groups.
Detailed Description
We are aiming to develop theory and support experimental efforts towards realising sunlight-pumped lasers that are inspired by and based on modified photosynthetic light harvesting aggregates. The work contributes to and complements our broader research focus on exploring novel quantum-enhanced ways of utilising the interaction between light and matter, motivated by the desire to efficiently convert electromagnetic (e.g. solar illumination) energy to electronic excitations both for organic photovoltaic systems, but also for novel approaches to realising camera pixels, photodetectors, and imaging systems.
The successful candidate will lead the formulation and development of theoretical approaches in the space outlined above. The post holder will also be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications and research proposals as well as helping to manage and direct this complex and challenging project as opportunities allow.
This project is part of the Horizon Pathfinder Challenge project “Towards a bio-mimetic sun-light pumped laser based on photosynthetic antenna complexes” with consortium partners in Italy, Poland and Germany. Our node at Heriot Watt is supported through Innovate UK as part of UKRI Horizon funding guarantee. The project will be carried out in close collaboration with our project partners. It will also benefit from our broader extensive network of collaborators.
Additional Information
Please see our group website for more information about the research environment and related ongoing research activities: http://qtt.eps.hw.ac.uk.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
The post holder is required to;
- Conduct individual and collaborative research projects, making use of relevant research techniques and methods. Disseminate results of research in peer reviewed journals and conferences, and/or other appropriate media. Continue to update personal knowledge and to develop skills within own specialist research area. Maintain written records of research results and progress generated intellectual property and data analysis. Contribute to the production of research reports and publications.
- Write research reports and publications. Analyse and interpret the results of own research and generate original ideas bases on outcomes. Prepare proposals and applications to external bodies, e.g. for funding purposes. Use initiative and creativity to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.
- Provide guidance as required to research students and any other students who may be assisting with the research.
Education, Qualifications and Experience
this will form the basis of your selection criteria and shortlisting. Please use the examples below and delete /add as appropriate.
Essential Criteria
- Applicants should hold a PhD in theoretical physics, physical chemistry, or a closely related subject (or be expecting to have their PhD thesis submitted by the start date of the project).
- A record of high-quality publications, and evidence of contribution to the writing of these publications proportionate to opportunity.
- Must have proven academic ability and a demonstrable high level of technical competence in the analysis and modelling of scientific results.
- Experience of programming and producing or adapting numerical codes.
- Good communication skills and the ability to articulate research work, both in technical reports / papers and by oral presentation.
- Must be able to work as part of a team on the experiments at Heriot-Watt and more widely with the collaborators at other universities.
- Experience in writing and managing peer-reviewed papers.
- Experience in public presentations of scientific results (e.g. workshop / conference talks).
- Experience of working in a multi-cultural Higher Education or similar environment.
Desirable Criteria
- Previous experience with one or both of: (1) modelling and analysis of complex quantum dynamics, (2) cooperative effects in the light-matter interaction.
- Track record of deriving approximate analytical models and validating those against numerically converged codes.
- Track record of producing clearly structured, extensible and accessible programming code for numerical simulations and data analysis.
- Evidence of ability to present work effectively in person, e.g. at conferences and seminars.
- Experience of collaborating with experimental groups by designing and proposing experiments that can test and validate theoretical results.
- Evidence of ability to supervise and guide other researchers, e.g. PhD students and undergraduate project students.
- Capability to be self-directed and think innovatively.
- Energy and enthusiasm for the project.
How to Apply:
Applications with FULL CV (and Cover letter) can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on Wednesday, 16th October 2024.
Shortlisting is anticipated w/c 21st October 2024 and interviews are anticipated to be conducted w/c 28th October 2024.
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