Research Assistant / Associate

Imperial College London; Greater London; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

43 days leave per year

Pension schemes

Career support for researchers

Job summary

Imperial College London is seeking a Research Assistant/Associate in Physics to advance temporal metamaterials research. You will design and run time-resolved experiments with fs resolution, operating a 10 fs laser setup and collaborating with experimentalists.

The role requires a PhD in Physics or a closely related field, with a strong track record in ultrafast spectroscopy, data analysis, and metamaterials work. Aiming to push the boundaries of light-matter with synthetic motion.

Qualifications

• PhD in Physics (or closely related quantitative discipline) and an outstanding research record.
• Experience with experimental spectroscopy and time-resolved measurements.
• Strong skills with ultrafast laser spectroscopy and fs-resolution techniques.
• Proven data-analysis methodologies.
• Experience with metamaterials and nanophotonics.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement advanced time-resolved experiments using home-built ultrafast laser spectroscopy.
• Manage a 10 fs laser setup and generate structural light from it.
• Collaborate within the Imperial College team on metamaterials research.
• Contribute to publications, conferences, and grant applications.

Skills

Experimental spectroscopy

Time-resolved measurements

Ultrafast laser spectroscopy

Data-analysis methodologies

Metamaterials

Education

PhD in Physics or closely related field

Tools

Ultrafast laser equipment

Structured light techniques

Laser spectroscopy hardware

Job description

Organisation/Company Imperial College London Department Department of Physics Research Field Physics » Mathematical physics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 29 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/London) Country United Kingdom Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number NAT02301 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

About the role

The post arises from a collaboration funded by the ERC Advanced grant “Light interaction with synthetically moving metamaterials - LUMINOUS” and the UKRI Programme Grant “Next Generation Metamaterials: exploiting four dimensions – META4D” with the objective of advancing our understanding of temporal metamaterials and materials with synthetic motion. The successful applicant will be expected to work with Professor Riccardo Sapienza in London and our experimental collaborators to develop experiments in the field of metamaterials and perform advanced temporal spectroscopy of dispersive time-varying metamaterials.

You will carry out research programmes in photonic metamaterials, nanophotonics, ultrafast spectroscopy and time-resolved measurements, undertake project management and/or supervise multi-disciplinary teams. We are looking for expertise in experimental spectroscopy and in particular time-resolved measurement of ultrafast light.

What you would be doing

This role is mostly experimental with some theory aspects. You will design and implement advanced time-resolved experiments involving home-built ultrafast laser spectroscopy, and will manage a 10 fs laser setup and generate structural light from it.

You will work collaboratively within the team at Imperial College.

What we are looking for

You will hold a PhD in Physics (or a closely related quantitative discipline) and have an outstanding record of research achievement. We are particularly interested in candidates with exceptional experimental skills, demonstrated through the development of novel time-resolved measurements with fs resolution, advanced data-analysis methodologies, and experience with time-varying metamaterials.

The ideal candidate will be intellectually ambitious, highly self-motivated and excited by the prospect of working at the boundary between metamaterials and ultrafast laser physics.

Hold a PhD in Optics, Photonics, Metamaterials or a closely related discipline, or equivalent research, industrial or commercial experience Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant.

Research Assistant: A first / masters degree (or equivalent) in Physics, Engineering, Material Science or related.

Specific Requirements

Practical experience within a research environment and / or publication in relevant and refereed journals (E)

Experience with optical metamaterials and nanophotonics ( E )(Associate)

Experience with ultrafast lasers and spectroscopy( E )

Practical experience in a broad range of techniques for structured light (D)

Practical experience optical apparatus design and microscopy D

Knowledge of experimental methods in optics (E)

Knowledge of research methods and statistical procedures(E)

Languages ENGLISH

Research Field Physics » Mathematical physics

Internal Application form(s) needed

Job Description Research Assistant Associate.pdf

• The opportunity to contribute to a pioneering research programme aimed at establishing synthetic motion as a new paradigm for spatio-temporal metamaterials.
• Collaboration within a multidisciplinary team involving experimental and theoretical physicists.
• Involvement in publications, conference presentations and future grant applications.
• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and contribute to our mission of “Science for Humanity”.
• Access to Imperial’s sector-leading career support for researchers, as well as opportunities for promotion and progression.
• A sector-leading salary and remuneration package, including 43 days’ leave per year and generous pension schemes.
• A diverse, inclusive and collaborative working culture, with staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.

Additional comments

This is a full-time (35 hours per week), fixed-term role based at our South Kensington Campus.