Research Assistant/ Associate/ Fellow

Job Purpose 

The post holder will join the LISA Optical Bench Team at the University of Glasgow.

LISA is a European Space Agency (ESA) led mission to launch a gravitational detector in the mid 2030s. The mission has just been adopted by ESA as a flagship scientific mission in the next decade. The LISA instrument consist of 3 satellites in a triangular configuration with 2.5-million-kilometre arms, moving in an Earth-like orbit around the Sun. Gravitational waves from sources throughout the Universe will produce slight oscillations in the arm lengths (smaller than the diameter of an atom). LISA will capture these motions and thus measure the gravitational waves by using laser links to monitor the displacements of test masses free-falling inside the spacecraft. The LISA satellites and their scientific payload are being built by ESA, ESA member nations, and NASA.

Each spacecraft carries 2 optical benches which are at the heart of the interferometry system. A joint team from the University of Glasgow and the UK Astronomy Technology Centre (ATC) in Edinburgh are responsible for developing and building these optical benches. The team is funded by the UK Space Agency (UKSA).

The optical benches are built  on Zerodur, a low expansion glass, with many optical components precision aligned and hydroxy-catalysis bonded to the optical bench base. As part of the optical bench build, a variety of sub-systems such as beam collimators, beam shaping, imaging systems and beam dumps have to be developed, tested and aligned on to the optical bench.

You will be involved in the designing, building testing and documenting these systems and processes.

Typical investigations might involve some combination of lasers, fibre optics, optical modulators, interferometers, precision manipulators, precision measurement, quadrant photodiodes, home-built electronics, optical beam profiling and data acquisition and control systems.

A significant part of the process is liaising with the many different partners in the project – sub-system suppliers from multiple European countries, ESA, UKSA, ATC, NASA, etc.

Please note that for this role, we must comply with a funder’s/partner’s conditions, namely restrictions on exporting information covered by Export Administration Regulations (EAR). For this reason, there is a genuine occupational requirement that we are unable to consider applications at this time from nationals from countries excluded in the NS2 column in the country list https://www.bis.doc.gov/index.php/documents/regulations-docs/2383-supplement-no-1-to-part-738/file

Main Duties and Responsibilities 

Perform the following activities in conjunction with and under the guidance of the Principal/Co Investigator:

1.           Plan and conduct assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and project/group/School/College research strategy.

2.           Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.

3.           Develop and enhance your research profile and reputation and that of The University of Glasgow/School/Research Group, including contributing to publications of international quality in high profile/quality refereed journals, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.

4.           Contribute to the presentation of Optical Bench Team at LISA work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.

5.           Contribute to the identification of potential funding sources and to assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research.

6.           Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team/ group/ meetings/ seminars/ workshops across the research Group/School/College/University and wider community.

7.           Contribute to the organisation, supervision, mentoring and training of undergraduate and/or postgraduate students and less experienced members of the project team to ensure their effective development.

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

9.           Carry out modest Teaching activities [e.g. demonstrating etc.] and associated admin as assigned by the Head of School and in consultation with Principal Investigator.

10.         Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.

11.         Engage in continuing professional development activities as appropriate.

12.         Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of School/Director of Research Institute.

13.         Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, World Changers Together.

For appointment at grade 7: 

14. Perform the above duties with a higher degree of independence, leadership and responsibility, particularly in relation to planning, funding, collaborating and publishing research, and mentoring colleagues.

15. Establish and sustain a track record of independent and joint published research to establish and maintain your expert reputation in the subject area.

16. Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project & subject area, & develop/implement a suitable research strategy.

For appointment at grade 8: 

17. The candidate is expected to perform the above duties with a higher degree of independence, leadership and responsibility, particularly in relation to planning, funding, collaborating and publishing research, and mentoring colleagues, establish and sustain a track record of independent and joint published research to establish and maintain your expert reputation in the subject area and develop/implement a suitable research strategy.

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

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience 

Knowledge/Qualifications 

Essential:

A1 SCQF Level 10 (Honours degree) in a relevant subject or a cognate discipline, or equivalent.

For appointment at Grade 7:

A2 Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) in Physics or related area or alternatively possess the equivalent in professional qualifications and experience, with experience of personal development in a similar or related role(s).

For appointment at Grade 8: 

A3 A demonstrated track record of successful work in a related field in either an academic or industrial environment

A4 A track record of published research and a proven ability to research programmes, techniques and methods

Skills 

Essential:

C1 Proven practical laboratory skills in optics/interferometry/photonics

C2 Ability to use initiative and to learn and apply learn new techniques

C3 Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including public presentations and ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely

C4 Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach

C5 Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach

For appointment at Grade 7:

C6 Research creativity and strong collaborative ability

C7 Self-motivation, initiative and independent thought/working

For appointment at Grade 8: 

C8 Able to work both individually as well as part of a team and manage staff members as appropriate

Experience 

Essential:

E1 Experience of working in optics/interferometry/photonics environment

E2 Sufficient relevant research experience (or equivalent) appropriate to an early career researcher.

E3 Experience of scientific writing.

E4 Evidence of an emerging track record of publications in a relevant field.

For appointment at Grade 7 

E5 Sufficient depth of relevant research experience in a related field, appropriate to an early career researcher.

For appointment at Grade 8 

E6 Substantial, relevant research experience in a related field

E7 An established national/international profile

Desirable:

F1 Experience in optical modelling and design of optical systems

F2 Experience in hydroxide-catalysis bonding or other precision bonding techniques

F3  Experience with optical metrology

F4  Experience working with NIR lasers

F5  Experience in clean-room working

F6 Experience in optical polishing

F7  Experience in data handling and processing using, e.g. Matlab, Python, LabVIEW

F8  Experience with building laboratory electronics

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.  If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

Closing date:  31 May 2024

Terms and Conditions 

Salary will be Grade 6/7/8, £32,332 - £36,024 / £39,347 - £44,263 / £48,350 - £56,021 per annum.  

This post is full time, and has funding until 31st March 2025

Please note that for this role, we must comply with a funder’s/partner’s conditions, namely restrictions on exporting information covered by Export Administration Regulations (ERA). For this reason, there is a genuine occupational requirement that we are unable to consider applications at this time from nationals from countries excluded in the NS2 column in the country list https://www.bis.doc.gov/index.php/documents/regulations-docs/2383-supplement-no-1-to-part-738/file

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.