Closing date 29 Jul 2019 23:00 (UK time)
Salary £32,236–£39,609 (Grade 7)
Location Edinburgh
Department Institute of Photonics & Quantum Sciences
Category Research
Status Full Time
Duration 24 months fixed-term

About Heriot-Watt University

Heriot-Watt University has five campuses: three in the UK (Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Orkney), one in Dubai and one in Malaysia. The University offers a highly distinctive range of degree programmes in the specialist areas of science, engineering, design, business and languages.

With a history dating back to 1821, Heriot-Watt University has established a reputation for world-class teaching and practical, leading-edge research, which has made it one of the top UK universities for business and industry. We connect with industry at every level and develop programmes to match their needs – so employers get work-ready industry-fit graduates.

Heriot-Watt is also Scotland's most international university, boasting the largest international student cohort.

We have an established set of values that help us to nurture innovation and leadership, and show our commitment to continuous improvement and development in all our activities.

For full details on our University please view our Careers at Heriot-Watt http://www.hw.ac.uk/about/careers-at-heriot-watt.htm

About our Team

The Quantum Photonics Laboratory at Heriot-Watt University (HWU) is engaged in research covering solid-state photonics, engineering coherent light-matter interaction using quantum structures and devices, and exploiting such devices for quantum technologies. The group consists of about 15 members, including two academics: Prof. Brian Gerardot and Dr. Cristian Bonato. The quantum photonic platforms used within the group includes defects in wide band-gap materials such as SiC or diamond, two-dimensional materials ‘beyond graphene’, quantum dots in III-V semiconductors.  The group has well-equipped laboratories for quantum optics and high-resolution laser spectroscopy of quantum emitters at room and cryogenic temperatures, radio-frequency control of electronic/nuclear spins as well the facilities for fabrication of novel optoelectronic / quantum photonic devices. The group collaborates with a number of research groups both academic and industrial, within HWU, the UK, and internationally.

Detailed Description

The Quantum Photonics Laboratory seeks a talented and motivated scientist to undertake research on quantum technology with individual spin-active defects in SiC. Significant goals include the characterization of the optical/spin properties in different SiC polytypes, optimized control of their electronic and nuclear spins; their integration in SiC micro-electronic structures. The project is expected to lead to high impact scientific publications and to technological developments related to integrated quantum spintronic devices for quantum networking.  The project will be conducted within the framework of an EPSRC Early-Career Fellowship.

Key duties and responsibilities

1. The key tasks of this project are to undertake research in the following areas:
   1. Development of a low-temperature confocal microscopy system with radio-frequency capabilities to control spin qubits
   2. Spectroscopy of individual spin-active centres in SiC
   3. Radio-frequency control of individual electronic and nuclear spins associated with the spin-active centre, optimization of control pulse sequences to target high-fidelity quantum gates
   4. Intellectual property protection with a view to develop near and future market applications
   5. General tasks involve scientific research; analysis and interpretation of data; daily oversight of the activities of postgraduate and undergraduate project students in the laboratory; communication with other investigators involved in this collaborative project; preparation of scientific papers; presentation of research at conferences.
2. To carry out the research project to a high standard;
   1. Meeting planned milestones and deliverables.
   2. Reporting progress regularly to supervisors, both verbally and in written reports
   3. Keeping clear written records of work done, and storing data in accessible formats according to a system agreed with the project supervisor.
3. To collaborate with partners within the project and others as appropriate:
   1. The post holder will join the Quantum Photonics Laboratory and will be expected to work collaboratively and cooperatively in a team environment; this involves shared use of laboratory equipment (therefore effective communication between group members is essential).
   2. Assist the development of student research skills, and be expected to contribute to the assessment of student knowledge in the context of teaching and supervision duties.
   3. The post holder will be expected to maintain and develop collaborations with internal and external partners in the field.
4. Dissemination of results:
   1. Attend group and project meetings, communicating progress on a regular basis. Deliver presentations to project collaborators and the wider research community
   2. Write high quality research papers in English for the scientific literature.
   3. Disseminate results of research in peer reviewed journals and conferences, and/or other appropriate media.

Other duties

• Understand the intellectual property landscape relevant to the project and seek to protect the methods and techniques developed during the course of the project.
• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research with the assistance of a mentor, if required.
• Build internal contacts and participate in internal networks for the exchange of information and to form relationships for future collaboration. Work with academic colleagues on areas of shared research interest and contribute to collaborative decision making. Join external networks to share information and identify potential sources of funds.
• Contribute, under supervision, to the planning of research projects, including the development of new grant/contract proposals. Make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding and form relationships for future collaboration.
• The ideal candidate will have a strong theoretical understanding and an experimental background in one or more of the following fields: condensed-matter physics, quantum optics, and quantum information science, preferentially with some previous expertise on spin control.
• The successful candidate will be expected to conduct and lead their own experiments whilst also supervising the activities of junior group members and PhD students.
• Responsibilities will also include assistance in the day-to-day maintenance of the experimental facilities, liaising with companies and external collaborators.
• The successful candidate is also expected to be involved in our outreach activities, with roles that can be tuned to the specific preferences of the candidate but will involve for example interviews, talks for the general public and preparation of experimental demonstrators.

Education, qualifications and experience

Essential Criteria

• A PhD in physics, electrical engineering or related subjects. Candidates must have submitted their doctoral thesis before starting in post.
• A sound grasp of optics, solid-state physics and quantum mechanics.
• A demonstrated track-record (during a PhD degree or post-doctoral research) of:
• Control and measurement of quantum systems
• Optical and/or radio-frequency technology
• Primary author contributions to high-impact peer-reviewed journals
• Experience of programming for data acquisition and analysis.
• A record of high quality publications, as appropriate for the stage in career, and evidence of contribution to the writing of these publications proportionate to opportunity.
• Ability to articulate research work, both in technical reports / papers and by oral presentation
• Ability to formulate and progress work on their own initiative
• Evidence of research ability: problem solving, flexibility
• Must be able to work as part of a team on the experiments at Heriot-Watt and more widely with the collaborators at other Universities
• Experience in writing and managing peer-reviewed papers.
• Experience in public presentations of scientific results (e.g. conference talks)

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in leading the writing of scientific papers.
• Evidence of ability, subject to opportunity, to guide other researchers, e.g. PhD students and undergraduate project students.
• Experience of research-student supervision.
• Capability to be self-directed and think innovatively.
• Energy and enthusiasm for the project.

How To Apply        

Applications can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on 29th July 2019

Informal enquiries may be made to Dr Cristian Bonato at C.Bonato@hw.ac.uk

At Heriot-Watt University we understand that being diverse makes us better which is why we support a culture of respect and equal opportunity, and value diversity at the heart of what we do. We want to increase the diversity of our workplace to underpin a dynamic and creative environment.

Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.