Directorate: School of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Grade: Grade 7 (£36,924-£46,485)
Contract Type: Full Time (1FTE), Fixed Term (24 Months)
Rewards and Benefits: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday) for all full time staff.
Detailed Description
We seek a talented and motivated scientist to undertake research on spin-photon interfacing in SiC quantum opto-electronic devices. The goals of the project are to develop high-fidelity control of electronic and nuclear spins associated to point defects in SiC, and to enhance the performance of the spin-photon interface by the integration of micro-electronic and photonic functionalities.
We expect the candidate to lead ongoing work on an existing low-temperature setup, which has already resulted in high-profile scientific publications (e.g. Nature Communications 14, 8448). The candidate will play a leading role in proposing and developing novel experiments, in collaboration with colleagues working on developing SiC quantum devices.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
1. Propose, develop and conduct experiments to push the state-of-the-art on spin-photon interfacing in SiC for quantum networking applications.
2. Actively collaborate with colleagues working on designing and fabricating SiC quantum devices.
3. Intellectual property protection with a view to develop near and future market applications.
4. General tasks involve scientific research; analysis and interpretation of data; daily oversight of the activities of postgraduate and undergraduate project students in the laboratory; communication with other investigators involved in this collaborative project; preparation of scientific papers; presentation of research at conferences.
To carry out the research project to a high standard:
1. Meeting planned milestones and deliverables.
2. Reporting progress regularly to supervisors, both verbally and in written reports.
3. Keeping clear written records of work done, and storing data in accessible formats according to a system agreed with the project supervisor.
To collaborate with partners within the project and others as appropriate:
1. The project involves a close collaboration with SiC device engineers and theoretical physicists.
2. The post holder will join the Quantum Photonics Laboratory and will be expected to work collaboratively and cooperatively in a team environment.
3. Assist the development of student research skills, and be expected to contribute to the assessment of student knowledge in the context of teaching and supervision duties.
4. Maintain and develop collaborations with internal and external partners in the field.
Dissemination of results:
1. Attend group and project meetings, communicating progress on a regular basis.
2. Write high quality research papers in English for the scientific literature.
3. Disseminate results of research in peer-reviewed journals and conferences, and/or other appropriate media.
Other duties:
1. Understand the intellectual property landscape relevant to the project and seek to protect the methods and techniques developed during the course of the project.
2. Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research with the assistance of a mentor, if required.
3. Build internal contacts and participate in internal networks for the exchange of information and to form relationships for future collaboration.
The ideal candidate will have a strong theoretical understanding and an experimental background in one or more of the following fields: condensed-matter physics, quantum optics, and quantum information science, preferentially with some previous expertise on spin control.
Education, Qualifications and Experience
Essential Criteria
1. A PhD in physics, materials science, electrical engineering or related subjects (or expected to be awarded a PhD soon).
2. A sound grasp of photonics, quantum mechanics, qubit control.
3. A demonstrated track-record (during a PhD degree or post-doctoral research) of:
4. Construction and operation of optical and/or microwave setups.
5. Experimental work on quantum technology, preferably with solid-state qubits at cryogenic temperature.
6. Development of physical models to understand experimental data.
7. Primary author contributions to peer-reviewed journals.
8. Experience of programming (C++ or Python or MATLAB) for data acquisition and analysis.
9. A record of high quality publications, as appropriate for the stage in career.
Desirable Criteria
1. Good understanding of spin control and/or NMR/EPR techniques.
2. Some expertise in nano-fabrication.
3. Experience in leading the writing of scientific papers.
4. Evidence of ability to guide other researchers, e.g. PhD students and undergraduate project students.
5. Experience of research-student supervision.
6. Capability to be self-directed and think innovatively.
7. Energy and enthusiasm for the project.
About our Team
We offer a post-doctoral position related to the newly funded “Integrated Quantum Networks” (IQN), lead by Heriot-Watt University. The position is related to the development of quantum repeaters based on spin-photon interfacing in silicon carbide (SiC) quantum opto-electronic devices.
The team manages state-of-the-art laboratories for quantum optics and high-resolution laser spectroscopy of quantum emitters at room and cryogenic temperatures.
How to Apply
Please submit via the Heriot-Watt online recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing your interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV.
Applications can be submitted until midnight on Sunday 23rd February 2025.
Interviews to commence in early March 2025.
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