Research Associate in Silicon Photodiodes

Heriot-Watt University; Kilmarnock; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research institution in Scotland is seeking a Research Associate in Silicon Photodiodes. In this role, you will design and simulate large-area Silicon photodiodes while collaborating with colleagues and industry partners. Candidates should hold a PhD in Physics or a relevant electrical engineering field and possess experience in Silvaco TCAD. This 8-month fixed-term position offers a competitive salary, and applications are open until 11th August 2025.

Benefits

33 days annual leave

Flexible working patterns

Contributions toward well-being initiatives

Qualifications

• Strong theoretical understanding of semiconductor devices.
• Experience in semiconductor detector fabrication processes.
• Proven publication record.

Responsibilities

• Design and simulate large-area Silicon photodiodes.
• Collaborate on experiments with colleagues and industrial partners.
• Work with foundries to troubleshoot device issues.

Skills

Silvaco TCAD

Semiconductor optoelectronics

Electro-optical characterisation

Good communication skills

Education

PhD in Physics or relevant electrical engineering

Job description

Description

Role: Research Associate in Silicon Photodiodes

Grade and Salary: Grade 7 - £37,694 - £47,389 per annum

FTE and working pattern: 0.9 FTE (31.5 hours per week), Fixed Term (8 months)

Holiday Entitlement: 33 days annual leave plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday)

About Our Team

The Single-Photon Group at Heriot-Watt have a long–standing track record in researching ground-breaking single photon detection and applications in quantum communications and single-photon imaging. With single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) detectors, we initiated and led collaborations to produce the first custom-designed InGaAs/InP single-photon avalanche diode detector (2006), first strained SiGe SPAD (2002), and custom-designed Ge-on-Si SPAD (2013), and first planar Ge-on-Si SPAD (2018). In quantum communications systems: work in the field led to a world record transmission distance quantum key distribution system (2001); the first demonstration of a quantum key distribution system operating at GHz clock–rate over an optical fibre link (2004); the first experimental demonstrations of quantum digital signatures (including the first experimental demonstration of quantum digital signatures over installed optical fibre in the Tokyo network) (2015 and 2017), and several novel coherent state amplification experiments. We have pioneered single-photon three-dimensional imaging since the 1990’s and continue to innovate, for example being the first to make underwater single-photon imaging demonstrations (2015), first measurements through camouflage (2017), first measurements through fog (2018), and first single-photon full colour image reconstruction (2018).

Our group has five laboratories with a total floor area of more than 120 m2, including space within a collaborative facility leveraging the skills and technologies of local EPSRC Quantum Hub colleagues. The research group has direct ownership of world–leading state–of–the–art equipment with a total value in excess of £3.5 million. Heriot-Watt University is leading a consortium of a further twelve universities and two national laboratories, supporting the formation of a new international research centre (Hub) funded by EPSRC for a 5-year research programme into Integrated Quantum Networks (IQN). The IQN Hub is supported by an initial £21.8M award from UKRI and additional industrial support, including ‘in-kind’ and direct financial support valued at approximately £20M. Furthermore, we have a global network of fellow world-leading researchers, offering the possibility of exchanges and collaborations.

Detailed Description

The PDRA will investigate aspects of semiconductor-based single-photon avalanche diode detectors.

Key Duties And Responsibilities

• This project works with a collaborative industrial company to design and simulate large-area Silicon photodiodes.
• Work with colleagues and the line manager to design and develop Si photodiode. The ideal candidate will have a strong theoretical understanding and an experimental background in semiconductor optoelectronics or closely related field. Electro-optical characterisation and measurement of detectors are desirable.
• Work with different foundries to identify the device issue.
• Good communication skills and an appropriate publication record are essential.
  
  

Essential Criteria

Education, Qualifications and Experience

• Applicants should hold a PhD in Physics or a relevant area of electrical engineering. (Applicants should have submitted their PhD thesis first draft by the start date.)
• Proven experience and skills in Silvaco TCAD
• Must be able to work as part of a team on the experiments at Heriot-Watt University and more widely with the collaborators at other Universities and industrial partners.
  
  

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in semiconductor detector fabrication processes and photodiode characterisation.
  
  

How To Apply

Pleasesubmit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing their interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV.

Applications can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on Monday 11th August 2025.

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

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