Postdoctoral Research Associate in High-Dimensional Quantum Photonics

Heriot-Watt University; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days annual leave

9 buildings closed days

Job summary

Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in High-Dimensional Quantum Photonics to join the Beyond Binary Quantum Information group. You will lead experimental photonics work on time-bin quantum states and contribute to advancing quantum technologies for communication and computing.

The role includes supervising junior researchers, publishing results, and developing independent grant proposals, with travel and career development support and a

Qualifications

• PhD (or thesis submitted) in quantum information science, quantum engineering, or a related field
• Record of high-quality, peer-reviewed publications with contribution to writing
• Experimental experience with time-bin quantum states of light, complex scattering, and photonic spatial modes
• Strong theoretical grounding in quantum information science
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Experience planning and leading experiments in an experimental lab
• Experience programming for data acquisition/analysis (MATLAB, Python)
• Experience in presenting results at conferences
• Ability to work autonomously
• Ability to collaborate with BBQ Lab team and other universities

Responsibilities

• Conduct individual and collaborative research using relevant techniques and develop new research directions
• Supervise junior group members and PhD students, ensuring continuity of experimental methods
• Disseminate results through publications and conference presentations with funding support for conferences
• Assist in planning research projects and preparing external grant proposals
• Develop internal and external contacts for knowledge sharing and collaborations
• Maintain experimental facilities and liaise with industry partners; knowledge of lasers, SLMs, optical fibres desirable
• Engage in outreach activities including interviews, talks, and demonstrators

Skills

Time-bin quantum states

Experimental photonics

Publications

Python/MATLAB

Supervision

Education

PhD in quantum information science

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Role Title:Postdoctoral Research Associate in High-Dimensional Quantum Photonics

Grade and Salary:Grade 7 - £38,448 - £48,337 per annum

FTE and working pattern:Full-time (35hrs per week) Fixed Term for 12 months

Reward and Benefits:33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days for all full-time staff.

Detailed Description

This is 1-year postdoctoral position in the Beyond Binary Quantum Information research group led by Prof Mehul Malik at the Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences (IPAQS) at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland. In this role, you will be involved in cutting-edge research projects focusing on the study of high-dimensional quantum states of light encoded in time. Your research will aim at gaining exquisite control over the temporal structure of quantum light, with the ultimate goal of advancing next-generation quantum technologies for communication and computing. You will play an integral role in ongoing BBQLab projects as well as in the planning and delivery of upcoming research projects.

This is a role with a significant amount of responsibility. It will involve overseeing all aspects of our group’s research—from supervising the activities of junior group members, to contributing to the planning and writing of external grant proposals. There is plenty of flexibility for pursuing your own research agenda as long as it is aligned with lab activities. You will have a strong support network for the development your own career through independent grant/fellowship applications. A willingness and ability to travel globally would be an advantage.

For examples of our recent research, please see our group’s publications page: https://bbqlab.org/publications/

Key Duties and Responsibilities

We are looking for a creative and driven researcher who is extremely passionate about research. You should hold (or have submitted) a PhD in Quantum Information Science, Quantum Engineering or a related field, and have experience planning and leading experiments within an experimental photonics lab. A solid background in theoretical quantum information science and experimental experience with quantum photonics is essential. In addition to the above, the candidate will be expected to:

• Conduct individual and collaborative research projects while making use of relevant research techniques and methods. Use initiative and creativity to identify exciting directions for research, develop new research methods, and extend the research portfolio.
• Supervise the activities of junior group members and PhD students, while assisting in the development of student knowledge and research skills. Ensure continuity of experimental techniques and methodology developed in the group.
• Disseminate results of research through high-quality publications in peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations. Significant financial support is available for attending national and international conferences.
• Contribute to the planning of research projects and in the preparation of proposals and applications to external bodies, e.g. for funding purposes. Support will also be provided to the researcher for developing independent applications for grants/fellowships from national/international funding bodies.
• Make and develop internal and external contacts with a view towards knowledge-sharing and building relationships for collaborative research.
• Assist in the day-to-day maintenance of the experimental facilities and liaise with companies. A working knowledge of lasers, spatial light modulators, optical fibres and/or cryogenic photodetectors is desirable.
• 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

1. Applicants should hold a PhD (or a thesis submitted by the start date of the project) in quantum information science, quantum engineering, or a related field
2. A record of high quality, peer-reviewed publications and evidence of contribution to the writing of these publications proportionate to opportunity.
3. Experimental experience with time-bin quantum states of light, complex scattering media, and photonic spatial modes.
4. Strong theoretical understanding and thorough grounding in quantum information science.
5. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
6. Experience planning and leading experiments within an experimental lab.
7. Experience of programming for data acquisition and analysis (e.g. MATLAB, Python).
8. Experience in public presentation of scientific results, e.g. contributed talks at conferences.
9. Ability to work on one's own initiative.
10. Must be able to work as part of the BBQ Lab team and more widely with collaborators at other Universities.

Desirable

1. Creative approach to research.
2. Strong people management skills.
3. Experience of research student supervision.
4. Experience in leading the writing of scientific papers.

About our Team

The Beyond Binary Quantum Information research group is a dynamic team of researchers working at the interface of quantum information theory and experiment, with a specific focus on exploring high-dimensional quantum photonic systems. We are developing methods to generate, manipulate, and measure complex quantum states of light encoded in the spatial and temporal degrees-of-freedom and applying them in fundamental tests of quantum mechanics for enhancing modern quantum technologies for communication, sensing, and computing.

The BBQ Lab is situated in custom-built, state-of-the-art photonics laboratories outfitted with a wide range of equipment including: femtosecond-pulsed and CW sources of entanglement at telecom and visible wavelengths, superconducting nanowire detectors and arrays, and spatial light modulators (SLMs/DMDs). We are funded by generous grants from UKRI/EPSRC, the European Research Council, and the Royal Academy of Engineering. We have substantial resources available for travel and career development and have strong links to leadings research group in the EU and North America.

About Heriot-Watt University

At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.

Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.

Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.

Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/ .

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.

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.