Detailed Description The Postdoctoral Research Associate will work with the University research team and several quantum-sector and space-sector industrial collaborators to operate the HOGS and conduct measurements with in-orbit satellites for quantum and optical communications. The contract is for an initial 9-month position with the aim of starting on the 1st of March 2025. Key Duties and Responsibilities Work with colleagues and line manager to devise and perform the work in-line with the goals of the project. Write research reports and publications based on the outputs of the work. Disseminate results of research in peer reviewed journals and conferences, and/or other appropriate media. Continue to update personal knowledge and to develop skills within own specialist research area. Maintain written records of research results and progress generated intellectual property and data analysis. Contribute to the production of research reports and publications. Build internal contacts and participate in internal networks for the exchange of information and to form relationships for future collaboration. Work with academic colleagues on areas of shared research interest and contribute to collaborative decision making. Join external networks to share information and identify potential sources of funds. Provide guidance as required to support staff, research students and any other students who may be assisting with the research. Contribute, under supervision, to the planning of research projects, including the development of new grant/contract proposals. Make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding and form relationships for future collaboration. We are looking for a creative and highly motivated researcher willing to work as part of a team. The ideal candidate will have had previous hands-on experience with free-space optics, photonic devices (lasers, detectors, fibre, etc.), and test and measurement for photonics. Good communication skills and an appropriate publication record are essential. General tasks will involve operation of the HOGS for conducting satellite measurements, design and assembly of components onto the HOGS, software/hardware coding, and meeting with the internal and external teams. The successful candidate will be expected to conduct and lead the work. This role will involve night-time work and commitments to perform measurements when conditions are optimal. Education, Qualifications and Experience Essential Applicants should hold a PhD in a relevant area: applicants must be past the submission to examiner by point of interview. Possess and maintains sufficient breadth or depth of specialist discipline knowledge and or research methods and techniques to work independently on the project. Ability to articulate research work effectively and in a timely manner, both in technical reports/papers and by oral presentation. Experience in writing, leading, and managing peer-reviewed papers/reports effectively. Ability to formulate and progress work on their own initiative. 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. Must have good time-management and organisation skills to coordinate collaborative experiments. Working knowledge and hands-on experience of free-space optics, photonic devices (lasers, detectors, fibre, etc.), and test and measurement for photonics. Familiarity with optical ground stations. The candidate must be willing to accommodate short periods of night working to conduct measurements using the optical ground station facility. Desirable Additional working knowledge of simulation software (Zemax, COMSOL, MATLAB), optical communications, and single-photon counting. Working knowledge of telescope and optical ground stations. Experience in industry or collaborating with industry on an R&D project. A candidate with ambitions to work in industry or an applied research lab. How to Apply Please must submit via the Heriot-Watt online recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing their interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV. Applications can be submitted until midnight on Wednesday 8th January 2025. Shortlisting aims to be complete by 20th January, interviews will be held week commencing 27th January 2025. 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.