RA Integrated Photonic Modulators for Aerospace and Data/Telecom

Advert

Research Associate Integrated Photonic Modulators for Aerospace and Data/Telecom

We are looking for a 2.5-years postdoc to join the Abadía’s team in the School of Physics and Astronomy

In this role, you will:
Develop developing integrated photonic modulators for cutting-edge aerospace and data/telecom applications

Collaborate with leading R&D industrial partners such as Airbus, ALTER Technology, Bay Photonics, SMS, STAR-Dundee, and VTT

Prepare a fellowship in collaboration with the industrial partners to secure funding for your independent project
engage in conferences and contribute to publications showcasing your groundbreaking discoveries.

We’d like to hear from you if you:

Have Ph.D. in Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
Proficiency in designing and fabricating integrated photonic modulators and waveguides.
Extensive experience in silicon photonics and optical communication systems.
Demonstrated skill in using electromagnetic simulation software (e.g., COMSOL, Ansys/Lumerical).
Proven track record in measuring integrated photonic devices.
Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities.
Capacity to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team.

We can offer you the chance to work in a vibrant organisation, with great benefits and opportunities for progression. We are a proud Living Wage supporter.

This postdoc is part of the EPSRC Integrated Photonic Modulators for Aerospace and Data/Telecom (EP/X011917/1) and is geared toward revolutionizing communication systems. The ever-expanding Internet for fast, reliable communication is the bedrock for various sectors, from industries and the Internet of things to transportation systems and entertainment electronics. The project is strategically positioned to tackle this burgeoning demand by harnessing efficient modulators. Leveraging the unique properties of indium arsenide quantum dots, the project aims to develop robust modulators for aerospace and data/telecom applications.

For further details or interest, contact Dr. Abadía at [email protected]. Connect with us on Academia.edu (https://cardiff.academia.edu/Nicol%C3%A1sAbad%C3%ADa), LinkedIn (https://linkedin.com/in/nicol%C3%A1s-abad%C3%ADa-9032a422a), and ResearchGate (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nicolas-Abadia).
Join us on this exciting venture to spearhead technological breakthroughs, innovate communication systems, and leave a lasting impact on cutting-edge research!

As part of this role, we can explore the possibility of the successful candidate accessing further training and development through an on-the-job apprenticeship. The appropriate level and type of apprenticeship training will be discussed with the successful applicant.

This role is eligible to be offered on a blended working basis, meaning that as well as spending time working on campus you may spend some time working from another location, e.g. your home. The University is committed to offering this flexibility, wherever the role and business need allows, supporting work-life balance. 

Please contact Dr. Nicolás Abadía ([email protected]) for an informal, confidential discussion about the role.

For informal enquiries about working at Cardiff School of Physics and Astronomy please contact [email protected]

This post is a full-time, fixed-term for a period of 30 months.

Salary: £39,347 - £44,263 per annum (Grade 6). 

For informal enquiries about the post please contact Dr. Nicolás Abadía at [email protected]

For informal enquiries about working at Cardiff School of Physics and Astronomy please contact [email protected]

IMPORTANT NOTE: It is the University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing. Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable criteria. As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement. Please ensure that the evidence you are providing, corresponds with the numbered criteria outlined in the person specification. Your application will be considered based on the information you provide under each criteria.

When attaching the supporting statement to your application, please ensure that you name it with the vacancy reference number, in this instance XXXXXBR

Cardiff University and the School of Physics and Astronomy are committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity. Our inclusive environment welcomes applications from talented people from diverse backgrounds. We strongly welcome female applicants and those from any ethnic minority group, as they are underrepresented in our School. The School of Physics & Astronomy has a Juno Champion accreditation and an Athena SWAN Silver award that recognises good employment practice and a commitment to develop the careers of women and other minorities working in science. The University is committed to ensuring that we sustain a positive working environment for all staff to flourish and achieve. As part of this commitment, the University has developed a flexible and responsive framework of procedures to support staff in managing their work and personal commitments wherever possible. Applications are welcome from individuals who wish to work part-time or full time.

Date advert posted: Wednesday, 3 January 2024

Closing date: Wednesday, 28 February 2024

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at:  Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University

Job Description

Research 

• To conduct research within integrated photonic modulators for cutting-edge aerospace and data/telecom applications and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University by the production of measurable outputs including bidding for funding, publishing in national academic journals and conferences, and the recruitment and supervision of postgraduate research students.  
• To develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research including research funding proposals 
• To attend and or present at conferences/seminars at a local and national level as required 
• To undertake administrative tasks associated with the research project, including the planning and organisation of the project and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting
• To prepare research ethics and research governance applications as appropriate
• To review and synthesise existing research literature within the field
• To participate in School research activities. 
• To build and create networks both internally and externally to the university, to influence decisions,   explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of research projects

• To engage effectively with industrial, commercial and public sector organisations, professional institutions, other academic institutions etc., regionally and nationally  to raise awareness of the School’s profile, to cultivate strategically valuable alliances, and to pursue opportunities for collaboration across a range of activities. These activities are expected to contribute to the School and the enhancement of its regional and national profile.
• To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
• To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria 

Qualifications and Education
1.    Postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion / submission) in Engineering, Physics or a related subject area or relevant industrial experience

Knowledge, Skills and Experience
2.    An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within the following research fields and specialist areas:

i.    Proficiency in designing and fabricating integrated photonic modulators and waveguides.
ii.    Extensive experience in silicon photonics and optical communication systems.
iii.    Demonstrated skill in using electromagnetic simulation software (e.g., COMSOL, Ansys/Lumerical).
iv.    Proven track record in measuring integrated photonic devices.

3.    Knowledge of current status of research in specialist field
4.    Proven ability to publish in international journals, international conferences and/or other research outputs
5.    Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies 

Communication and Team Working
6.    Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication
7.    Ability to supervise the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individuals
8.    Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities

Other
9.    Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work
10.    Proven ability to work without close supervision

Desirable Criteria

11.    Relevant professional qualification(s)
12.    Evidence of collaborations with industry.
13.     Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community.
14.    Evidence of ability to participate in and develop both internal and external networks and utilise them to enhance the research activities of the School. 

Additional Information

Additional Information

1. About the Role: Are you passionate about pioneering advances in photonic technologies? Join us as a full-time 2.5-year postdoc in Cardiff, UK, with the flexibility for remote work. As a valued member of our vibrant research team, your responsibilities will include developing integrated photonic modulators for cutting-edge aerospace and data/telecom applications. This is an exciting opportunity to collaborate with leading R&D industrial partners such as Airbus, ALTER Technology, Bay Photonics, SMS, STAR-Dundee, and VTT. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to prepare a fellowship in collaboration with the industrial partners to secure funding for your independent project. You will engage in conferences and contribute to publications showcasing your groundbreaking discoveries.
2. Essential and Desirable Qualifications and Skillset required as above
3. Technical Overview: The evolving landscape of Silicon Photonics, currently harnessed by industry giants like Cisco, Intel, and Nvidia for datacom/telecom, calls for more efficient integrated photonics devices. Our research explores the potential of direct epitaxial integration of III-V materials on silicon, presenting a novel opportunity to enhance active integrated photonics devices. In contrast to the prevalent focus on active III-V devices based on quantum wells, our group's groundbreaking work [1] has revealed a more robust quantum-confined Stark effect in InAs quantum dots, contributing to the efficiency of electro-absorption modulators.
4. Your Impactful Mission: As a postdoc, your primary goal is to conduct advanced measurements to optimize these effects and spearhead the development of electro-absorption quantum dot modulators. You will fabricate samples at the Institute for Compound Semiconductors, testing them in collaboration with key project partners like Airbus, ALTER Technology, Bay Photonics, STAR-Dundee, and VTT. Your pivotal role involves furthering our understanding and applications of quantum dots, propelling advancements in aerospace and data/telecom technologies.
5. Project Scope and Impact: This postdoc is part of the EPSRC Integrated Photonic Modulators for Aerospace and Data/Telecom (EP/X011917/1) and is geared toward revolutionizing communication systems. The ever-expanding Internet for fast, reliable communication is the bedrock for various sectors, from industries and the Internet of things to transportation systems and entertainment electronics. The project is strategically positioned to tackle this burgeoning demand by harnessing efficient modulators. Leveraging the unique properties of indium arsenide quantum dots, the project aims to develop robust modulators for aerospace and data/telecom applications.
8. Additional Information: For further details or interest, contact Dr. Abadía at [email protected]. Connect with us on Academia.edu (https://cardiff.academia.edu/Nicol%C3%A1sAbad%C3%ADa), LinkedIn (https://linkedin.com/in/nicol%C3%A1s-abad%C3%ADa-9032a422a), and ResearchGate (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nicolas-Abadia).
Join us on this exciting venture to spearhead technological breakthroughs, innovate communication systems, and leave a lasting impact on cutting-edge research!

Job Category

Academic - Research