Research Associate

Innovate UK is funding this international collaboration on a cutting-edge research project for 1.5 years, starting March 2024. This collaboration brings together academics from Glasgow and the National Research Council of Canada working together with two industrial partners Covesion and Few Cycle Inc. from the UK and Canada in emerging quantum technologies.

We are hiring 1 position in the area of quantum and nonlinear optics to work within the groups of Maria Chiara Braidotti and Daniele Faccio, in tight collaboration with our academic and industrial partners. The position is expected to be in very close collaboration with the companies Covesion and Few Cycle with a particular emphasis on generation of broadband squeezed states.

The expectation is that this partnership will create the first commercial solution for broadband squeezed light, revolutionizing quantum sensing with improved phase sensitivity, resolution, and chemical specificity. This project will cover a range of opportunities, for example generating and characterizing sub-shot noise states of light and implementing squeezed light into the visible/SWIR regions for enhanced detection and imaging. This ambitious project stands to advance quantum optics, metrology, and sensing technology significantly.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Perform the following activities in conjunction with the Principal/Co Investigator:

1. Take a leading role in the planning and conduct of assigned research individually or jointly in teams in accordance with the project deliverables.

2. Take a leading role in the acquisition, set up, maintenance and integration of experimental apparatus and/or computational hardware, or in setting up theoretical models or analysis strategies.

3. Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers, engaging fully with the open access/open data agenda.

4. Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project, and work with the PIs to develop/implement a suitable research strategy.

5. Presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops

6. Take a leading role in the identification of potential additional funding sources and to assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research.

7. Support the organisation, supervision, mentoring and training of undergraduate and/or postgraduate students and less experienced members of the project team

8. Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School, including Budgets/Expenditure.

9. Make a contribution to outreach and recruitment activities of The University of Glasgow.

10. Make a contribution to Teaching activities (e.g demonstrating etc) and associated administration as assigned by the Head of School and in consultation with Principal Investigator.

11. Make a contribution to the wider commercial and societal impact of the research resulting from the project

12. Be responsible for safety management related to the organisation and running of Laboratory and/or Experimental techniques, equipment and processes as appropriate.

These key tasks are not intended to be exhaustive but simply highlight various tasks which the staff member may be reasonably expected to perform.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1 An awarded PhD (SCQF 12) in Physics or Engineering or Computer Science in (one or more of the) fields of imaging, quantum optics, computational imaging techniques

A2 Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge in (one or more of the) fields of quantum optics, single photon detection, squeezed light generation and characterization, balanced detection for sub-shot noise measurements, quantum states characterization.

A3 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within the wider subject area

A4 Knowledge of specialist IT software (eg. Matlab, LabView, or Python)

Skills

Essential:

C1 Excellent experimental lab skills related to the use of femtosecond oscillators, light beam shaping, camera technology, quantum optic and balanced detection and or sub-shot noise measurements.

C2 Appropriate workload/time/project/budget/people management skills

C3 Extensive IT and data analysis/interpretation skills including a track record showing ability to implement automated control of laboratory equipment and/or squeezing states generation and characterization, optical and electronic aspects of continuous-variable quantum states generation and detection.

C4 Experience in public presentations and ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely

C5 Good Team Leadership skills including demonstrable supervisory skills

Desirable:

D1 Comfortable developing expertise in multiple fields

Experience

Essential:

E1 Sufficient depth of relevant research experience, normally including sufficient research experience in a related field, appropriate to an early career researcher

E2 Experience with the design and development of optics experiments and/or a track record in squeezed states and more in general, in quantum and nonlinear optics

Desirable:

E3 An emerging national or international reputation

Closing date:  8 March 2024

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £39,347 - £44,263 per annum.

This post is full time, and has funding for up to 18 months 

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.