Higher Scientist

National Physical Laboratory; Teddington; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Physical Laboratory seeks Higher/Senior/Principal Scientists to advance the UK’s Quantum Network activities from its Teddington site. You will design photonic experiments, build bespoke instrumentation and collaborate across academia, industry and government.

Roles span from hands-on hardware to software control and metrology, with opportunities to publish and lead project activities in a dynamic national program.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in experimental physics, engineering, hardware development, software programming, systems engineering, or networks.
• Strong scientific rigour and problem-solving ability.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement experimental methods to characterise quantum photonic devices and systems.
• Build advanced experimental setups and develop custom instrumentation.
• Develop control systems and data-analysis software.
• Perform analytical and numerical data analysis.
• Collaborate with academic partners, industry and government.
• Publish in high-impact journals and present at international conferences.
• Identify commercial opportunities and support industry engagement.
• Contribute to or lead bid submissions.
• Define and lead projects and technical activities.
• Represent NPL within the UK and international quantum community.

Skills

Photonic systems

Single/entangled-photon sources

Classical networks

Python MATLAB

LabVIEW

Electronics design

PhD or equivalent

Sci. rigour & communication

Cross-team collaboration

Education

PhD or equivalent in experimental physics/engineering

Tools

LabVIEW

Python

MATLAB

Job description

About the Role

Higher/Senior/Principal Scientist – Quantum networks

Help Build the UK’s Quantum Network infrastructure

Join the team shaping the future of quantum communications, as we expand our Quantum Network activities. We are looking to recruit several roles at different levels of seniority, based on experience, to join the Quantum and Timing Business unit. This is a unique opportunity to perform research with national impact at the frontier of quantum communications science.

You will be joining the team at an exciting time, as we develop one of the UK’s leading quantum network testbeds, an ambitious programme uniting world‑class teams across NPL, academia and industry. You will be directly involved in developing the hardware, software and metrology that will help define the next era of quantum communications (Quantum photonics - NPL).

You will help develop measurement capabilities for photonic quantum systems, working with industry to solve key metrology challenges and support the advancement of current and future quantum technologies.

These positions offer the opportunity to work hands‑on with state‑of‑the‑art systems, develop bespoke instrumentation, and collaborate with researchers in the UK and internationally - in academia, industry and other national laboratories - leading innovation across the global quantum ecosystem.

You will have opportunities to publish in high‑impact journals and present your work at major international conferences. Your role will evolve with the field, offering strong opportunities for career progression.

These positions are for on-site working, based at our Teddington site.

Key responsibilities (depending on experience):

• Design and implement experimental methods to characterise quantum photonic devices and systems
• Build advanced experimental setups and develop custom instrumentation
• Develop control systems and data‑analysis software
• Perform analytical and numerical data analysis
• Collaborate with academic partners, industry and government
• Publish in high‑impact journals and present at international conferences
• Identify commercial opportunities and support industry engagement
• Contribute to or lead bid submissions
• Define and lead projects and technical activities
• Represent NPL within the UK and international quantum community

About You

We are looking for candidates with a range of the following skills, experience, and qualifications, depending on the role:

Essential

• Experience with photonic systems (fibre, free-space or ‘on-chip’)
• Experience with single- and entangled-photon sources and technologies, single-photon detectors, coherent optical detectors, quantum optics experiments
• Experience with classical network technology
• Programming expertise (Python, MATLAB) for modelling quantum processes
• Writing software (LabVIEW, Python, MATLAB) for instrument control and data analysis
• Electronics design and system integration
• PhD, or equivalent experience, in experimental physics, engineering, hardware development, software programming, systems engineering, classical networks
• Strong scientific rigour and problem‑solving ability
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work across multiple teams and manage priorities

Desirable

• Experience setting up and/or working in a testbed environment
• Post-doctoral experience in a relevant field
• Experience collaborating with industry, academia or national laboratories
• Experience of delivering commercial technical work and developing innovative solutions to industry challenges
• Track record of publications, funding and/or commercial impact in a relevant scientific area
• Experience of leading collaborative, multidisciplinary research

We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that nationality, residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process. To work at NPL, you will need to obtain BPSS security clearance.

As we are recruiting across different levels, we will consider applications from candidates with varied experience. Offer and salary will depend on experience.

About Us

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is a world-leading centre of excellence that provides cutting‑edge measurement science, engineering and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of life in the UK.

NPL and DSIT have strong commitments to diversity and equality of opportunity, and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or age, providing they meet the required criteria. Applications from women, disabled and black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates in particular are encouraged. All disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.

At NPL, we believe our success is a result of the diversity and talent of our people. We strive to nurture and respect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued by treating everyone on the basis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own or perceived identity, as part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, we holdmemberships and accreditations to ensure we’re creating an environment where all our colleagues feel supported and welcome, please see our Diversity & Inclusion page.

We are committed to the health and well-being of our employees. Flexible working and social activities are embedded in our culture to create a positive work-life balance, along with a broad range of benefits. Our values are at the heart of what we do, and they shape the way we interact, develop our people and celebrate success.

To ensure everyone has an equal chance, we’re always willing to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss, please contact us.