Research Fellow (104726-1021)

Vacancy Type/Job category
Research Only
Department
Physics
Salary
£31,406 - £40,927 per annum, pro rata
Location
University of Warwick, Coventry.
Vacancy Overview
Full time, fixed term position for 4.5 months. (Start date 15 November 2021 or ASAP)
The Department of Physics seeks to appoint a Research Fellow to work on magnetometry using the optically-detected magnetic resonance of nitrogen-vacancy centres (NVC) in diamond. We have recently published a paper reporting the most sensitive fibre-coupled diamond magnetometer (Patel et al, Physical Review Applied 14, 044058, (2020)). In this project, we seek to further improve the sensitivity of this towards medical applications.
Applicants should possess, or be very close to obtaining a doctorate in physics or a related field and have a background in building physics experiments, microwave/optical/electronic engineering, materials science and/or quantum technology. Experience with the relevant experimental techniques (e.g. photoluminescence and optically-detected magnetic resonance) is desirable. You will be a good communicator capable of working effectively both independently and as part of a research team. You will possess excellent planning and time management skills to ensure your research objectives are achieved effectively.
If you have not yet been awarded your PhD but are near submission or have recently submitted your PhD, any offers of employment will be made as Research Assistant on level 5 of the University grade structure. Upon successful award of your PhD and evidence of this fact, you will be promoted to Research Fellow on the first point of the level 6 of the University grade structure.
Please direct all informal inquiries to Gavin Morley ([email protected]).
Job Description
JOB PURPOSE
Develop and test our fibre-coupled magnetometer based on nitrogen-vacancy ensembles in diamond, to improve the sensitivity. The post holder will be required to work with other PDRAs, PhD students and undergraduate students, as well as industrial partners to develop and demonstrate this new quantum technology.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Research and scholarship
• Develop and test our fibre-coupled magnetometer based on NVC ensembles in diamond to improve the sensitivity
• Develop interactions with our academic and industrial partners.
• Communicate the outputs of the project via posters and/or talks at conferences.
• Help establish a sound research base within the department in order to assist the development of research objectives and proposals for own or joint research.
• Take a leading role in writing and preparing manuscripts describing the research for publication in academic journals.
• Help to supervise PhD students and undergraduate students in the group.
• May contribute to preparing proposals and applications to external bodies, e.g. for funding and contractual purposes, to support a developing research agenda.
• Continually update own knowledge and understanding in field or specialism.
Teaching and Learning Support
• Assist in the supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate student projects and the development of student research skills.
• May be involved in the assessment of student knowledge and supervision of projects.
Administration and Other Activities
• Ensure compliance with health and safety in all aspects of work.
• Work within budget constraints.
The duties and responsibilities outlined are not intended to be an exhaustive list but rather to provide guidance on the main aspects of the post. The post-holder will be required to be flexible in his or her duties.

Person Specification

The Person Specification focuses on the knowledge, skills, experience and qualifications required to undertake the role effectively. This is measured by (a) Application Form, (b) Test/Exercise, (c) Interview, (d) Presentation.

Essential Criteria 1
Hold, or be about to attain, a PhD or equivalent in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g. physics, mathematics) (a, c)
Essential Criteria 2
Proven ability in research and evidence of quality research output in relevant field. (a, c)
Essential Criteria 3
A developing research profile with the ability to publish and/or produce high quality research output. (a, c)
Essential Criteria 4
Sufficient breadth and depth of specialist knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes in the area of magnetometry using ensembles of nitrogen-vacancy centres (NVC) in diamond. (a, c)
Essential Criteria 5
Ability to initiate, plan, implement and deliver programmes of research work to defined deadlines. (a, c)
Essential Criteria 6
Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a research team (a, c)
Essential Criteria 7
Good interpersonal and communication skills (a, c)
Essential Criteria 8
An understanding of equal opportunity issues as they may impact on areas of research content. (a, c)
Desirable Criteria 1
Experience in NVC physics or quantum technologies. (a, c)
Desirable Criteria 2
Experience of experimental techniques for studying and characterizing NVC (e.g. photoluminescence, quantitative electron paramagnetic resonance, pulsed optically-detected magnetic resonance, confocal microscopy etc.) (a, c)
Desirable Criteria 3
Experience in instrumentation design and manufacture (e.g. continuous-wave and pulsed microwaves, optics, computer-aided design, coding and electronics) (a, c)
Desirable Criteria 4
Experience with digital signal processing such as with matched filters. (a, c)
Further Particulars
For further information about the University of Warwick, please read our University Further Particulars .
For further information about the department, please visit the departmental website .
The Physics Department and the University of Warwick are proud of their diverse community of staff, students, and visitors, and are committed to maintaining an excellent record in teaching and research by ensuring that there is equality of opportunity for all, fostered in an environment of mutual respect and dignity.
Both the Physics Department and the University of Warwick hold Athena SWAN Silver awards, a national initiative to promote gender equality for all staff and students. The Physics Department is also a Juno Champion, which is an award from the Institute of Physics to recognise our efforts to address the under-representation of women in university physics and to encourage better practice for both women and men.
Further information can be found at www.warwick.ac.uk/physics/staff/working/.
The University supports flexible working and requests for job-share will be considered where possible.
Childcare can be provided for you at the University of Warwick Nursery (www.warwick.ac.uk/services/childrensservices/nursery) in order for you to attend the interview. Childcare is subject to availability of places at the Nursery.

Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy

As an organisation using the (DBS) Disclosure and Barring Service to assess applicants’ suitability for positions of trust, the University of Warwick complies with the DBS Code of Practice and undertakes not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a Disclosure on the basis of a conviction or other information revealed. More information is available on the University’s Vacancy pages and applicants may request a copy of the DBS Code of Practice.

Other Information
Right to work in the UK
If you do not yet have the right to work in the UK and/ or are seeking sponsorship under for a Skilled Worker visa in the UK points-based immigration system
please click on this link which contains further information about obtaining right to work in the UK and details about eligibility for sponsorship for a Skilled Worker Visa.
The University of Warwick provides an inclusive working and learning environment, recognising and respecting every individual’s differences. We welcome applications from individuals who identify with any of the protected characteristics defined by the Equality Act 2010.
Closing Date
4 Nov 2021