Directorate : School of Engineering & Physical Sciences
Salary: Grade 7 (£36,023-£45,585)
Contract Type: Full Time (1FTE), Fixed Term (3 Years)
Rewards and Benefits: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days for all full time staff (Part time workers should pro rata this by their FTE). Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This position is part of the ERC Starting Grant PIQUaNT . You will be involved in cutting-edge research projects focusing on the study of quantum systems significantly beyond the qubit regime. Your research will aim at gaining exquisite control over the spatial and temporal structure of light, with the ultimate goal of pushing the information and noise limits of next-generation quantum technologies for communication, computing, and sensing. You will play an integral role in upcoming projects, ranging from the control and manipulation of time-frequency entanglement to quantum experiments with state-of-the-art superconducting nanowire detector arrays, to name just a few.
This is a role with a significant amount of responsibility. It will involve overseeing all aspects of our group’s research—from supervising the activities of junior group members, to contributing to the planning and writing of external grant proposals. There is plenty of flexibility for pursuing your own research agenda as long as it is aligned with lab activities. You will have a strong support network for the development your own career through independent grant/fellowship applications. A willingness and ability to travel globally would be an advantage.

• We are looking for a creative and driven researcher who is extremely passionate about research. You should hold (or have submitted) a PhD in Quantum Information Science or Quantum Engineering, and have experience planning and leading experiments within an experimental photonics lab. A solid background in theoretical quantum information science is essential and experimental experience with spatial photonic entanglement and complex scattering media is required. In addition to the above, the candidate will be expected to:
• Conduct individual and collaborative research projects while making use of relevant research techniques and methods. Use initiative and creativity to identify exciting directions for research, develop new research methods, and extend the research portfolio.
• Supervise the activities of junior group members and PhD students, while assisting in the development of student knowledge and research skills. Ensure continuity of experimental techniques and methodology developed in the group.
• Disseminate results of research through high-quality publications in peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations. Significant financial support is available for attending national and international conferences.
• Contribute to the planning of research projects and in the preparation of proposals and applications to external bodies, e.g. for funding purposes. Support will also be provided to the researcher for developing independent applications for grants/fellowships from national/international funding bodies.
• Make and develop internal and external contacts with a view towards knowledge-sharing and building relationships for collaborative research.
• Assist in the day-to-day maintenance of the experimental facilities and liaise with companies. A working knowledge of ultrafast lasers, spatial light modulators, electro-optic modulators, and/or cryogenic photo-detectors is desirable.
• The successful candidate is also expected to be involved in our outreach activities, with roles that can be tuned to the specific preferences of the candidate but will involve for example interviews, talks for the general public, and preparation of experimental demonstrators.