Optics Group Lead – Quantum Photonics & Testbeds

Nu Quantum Ltd; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options

Group DIS cover (4 x salary)

1 month paid Sabbatical after 4 years

Private Medical and Dental Cover

On-site gym

Cycle scheme

28 days annual leave

Employee referral program

Cambridge Botanical Gardens access

Job summary

Nu Quantum Ltd. is seeking an experienced Optics Group Lead to head the development of advanced optical systems for qubit photon interfaces and quantum networking testbeds.

The role combines hands-on experimental work with leadership of a multidisciplinary optics team in Cambridge, UK. You will set technical direction, improve reproducibility, and ensure high standards across optical designs, alignment, and automation while collaborating with nanofabrication, electronics, software, and AMO

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent industrial experience in quantum optics, experimental photonics, AMO physics, optical engineering, or a closely related field.
• Ability to lead optics design, review experiments, and guide others through complex optical problems.
• Ability to move from optical simulation to laboratory implementation and iterative optimisation.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for the Testbed Optics group, setting direction for design, execution, and optimisation of advanced optical experiments.
• Own optical system architecture including free-space and fibre optics, laser systems, interferometry, alignment, stability, and noise reduction.
• Lead decision-making to ensure robust, reproducible designs suitable for long-term development.
• Mentor and develop optics team members, performing technical reviews and supporting problem solving.
• Establish best practices for optical design, experimental execution, automation, and data analysis to improve reproducibility and efficiency.
• Communicate complex technical information through design reviews, reports, and cross-functional discussions.
• Collaborate with nanofabrication, electronics, mechanical, software, and AMO teams to define integrated test plans.

Skills

Technical leadership

Quantum optics

Experimentation

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Communication

Education

PhD or equivalent in quantum optics/AMO

Tools

Zemax

Job description

Nu Quantum Ltd. is seeking an experienced Optics Group Lead to head the development of advanced optical systems for qubit photon interfaces and quantum networking testbeds.

The role combines hands-on experimental work with leadership of a multidisciplinary optics team in Cambridge, UK. You will set technical direction, improve reproducibility, and ensure high standards across optical designs, alignment, and automation while collaborating with nanofabrication, electronics, software, and AMO