Fibre & Systems Group

Location:  Highfield Campus
Salary:   £31,406 to £38,587 per annum
Full Time Fixed Term for two years
Closing Date:  Tuesday 07 December 2021
Interview Date:   To be confirmed
Reference:  1377521PN-2R

We are looking for a Research Fellow with strong experience in either optical fibre fabrication or optical device manufacture more generally, to develop a ground-breaking new type of hollow core optical fibre technology. You will work at the University of Southampton, a research-led institution in the top one percent of world Universities, within the renowned Optoelectronics Research Centre, where most of the special optical fibres in existence today have been invented.

As part of a world-leading fabrication team and exploiting state-of-the-art facilities, your aim will be to develop novel hollow-core fibres based on antiresonant guidance, with properties suitable for the transmission of data with ultralow loss and record-high capacity, as well as laser power with unprecedented intensity. Building on the world-leading results reported by our team in recent years (see for example https://www.nature.com/articles/s41566-020-0633-x and https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-19910-7), you will be responsible for the development of processes and structures aimed at further reducing the loss, improving the modal properties and increasing the damage threshold of hollow core fibres. You will also be involved in advanced characterisation aimed at exploring some of the not yet understood aspects of this novel technology, and in managing experiments in collaboration with an established network of application groups in the fields of optical and quantum communications, laser delivery, sensing and metrology.

Applicants must have relevant postgraduate/post-doctoral or industrial experience in the fabrication of optical fibres and/or optical devices, or in glass science.  Prior experience in the fabrication of microstructured/hollow core fibres is desirable but not essential. A hands-on approach and excellent experimental skills are required, along with a keen interest in developing new physical ideas from proof-of-principle to implementation. A PhD in Physics/Engineering/Material Science or equivalent and a track record of excellence in research is required. The applicants are expected to work as part of a cohesive team, to interact with project partners and produce high-impact publications and results.

The salary, in the range £31,406 to £38,587 p.a., will be commensurate with experience, on the Level 4 of the University Education, Research and Enterprise scale. The appointment is initially for a 2-year period, ideally starting in September 2021, with significant potential for further extension.

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Professor Francesco Poletti: frap@orc.soton.ac.uk.

*Applications for Research Fellow positions will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification.  The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon successful completion of the PhD.  Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given.

Equality, diversity and Inclusion is central to the ethos in the Zepler Institute. We particularly encourage women, Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME), LGBT and disabled applicants to apply for this position.  We value diversity and inclusion at the University and aspire for our staff population to be broadly representative of our community. In recognition of our continued commitment to improving equality for women in science we were awarded an Athena SWAN Bronze.  We give full consideration to applicants that wish to work flexibly including part-time and due consideration will be given to applicants who have taken a career break. The University has a generous maternity policy**, and onsite childcare facilities along with other benefits such as the cycle to work scheme.

 The University of Southampton is in the top 1% of world universities and in the top 10 of the UK’s research-intensive universities. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and being a globally responsible university and has recently been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.  Our vision is to embed the principles of sustainability into all aspects of our individual and collective work, integrating sustainable development into our business planning, policy-making, and professional activities.  This commits all our staff and students to take responsibility for managing their activities to minimise harm to the environment, whether this is through switching off non-essential electrical equipment or using the recycling facilities.

 **subject to qualifying criteria

Application Procedure:

You should submit your completed online application form at www.jobs.soton.ac.uk. The vacancy will close at midnight on the closing date as shown above.If you need any assistance, please call Hannah Farrance (Recruitment Team) on +44 (0) 23 8059 2570. Please quote reference 1377521PN-2R on all correspondence.