About the Position
Directorate: School of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Grade: Grade 7 – £37,694 – £47,389
Contract Type: Full Time (1FTE), Fixed Term (12 Months)
Rewards and Benefits: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 building closed days (and Christmas Eve if weekday) for all full‑time staff. 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.
About Our Team
Our team has a long‑standing track record in researching ground‑breaking single‑photon technologies and techniques for several applications in single‑photon imaging. We have achieved several milestones, including the first demonstration of quantum detection technologies for high‑resolution underwater 3D imaging (2015), the first demonstration of CMOS SPAD detector array for underwater single‑photon imaging (2019), real‑time single‑photon imaging in free space and in water, and a fully submersible transceiver system based on a planar CMOS SPAD detector array (2023). Our group has extensive laboratory facilities and collaborates with EPSRC quantum hubs.
Detailed Description
The PhD Research Associate (PDRA) will investigate single‑photon detector arrays for imaging applications, developing novel detection systems for sensor fusion in extreme low‑light conditions. The contract is for an initial 12‑month period, with a good chance of follow‑up funding.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
* Work with colleagues and line manager to devise and perform experiments, modelling and analysis consistent with the project goals.
* Write research reports and publications, analyse and interpret results, generate original ideas, prepare proposals and applications to external bodies.
* Assist the development of student research skills and contribute to the assessment of student knowledge (particularly PhD students).
* Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research under the guidance of a mentor.
* Conduct individual and collaborative research projects, disseminate results in peer‑reviewed journals and conferences, and maintain research records.
* Build internal contacts and participate in internal and external networks for collaboration.
* Provide guidance to support staff, research students, and other students involved in the research.
* Contribute to the planning of research projects, including the development of new grant/contract proposals.
* Be a creative and highly motivated researcher willing to work as part of a team.
* Possess a strong theoretical understanding and experimental background in semiconductor optoelectronics or a closely related field.
* Have good communication skills and an appropriate publication record.
* Lead own experiments while supervising junior group members and PhD students.
* Assist in day‑to‑day maintenance of experimental facilities and liaise with companies and external collaborators.
* Engage in outreach activities, such as public talks and demonstration preparation.
Education, Qualifications and Experience
Essential Criteria
* Possess and maintain sufficient breadth or depth of specialist discipline knowledge in imaging and/or research methods and techniques to work in the area of imaging using single‑photon techniques.
* Hold a PhD in Physics or a relevant area of electrical engineering (PhD thesis first draft submitted by the start date).
* Strong theoretical understanding and thorough grounding in experimental techniques relevant to the project.
* Ability to articulate research work, both in technical reports/papers and by oral presentation.
* Must be able to work as part of a team on the experiments at Heriot‑Watt University and with collaborators at other universities and industrial partners.
* Experience with single‑photon avalanche diode detector arrays.
* Working knowledge of free‑space optics, optical instrumentation, and practical optical design.
* Experience programming for data acquisition (e.g. MATLAB, Python, C/C++), data analysis, and interfacing with multiple equipment parts.
* Ability to formulate and progress work on one's own initiative.
* Experience in writing and managing peer‑reviewed papers.
* Hands‑on experimental work experience.
* Energy and enthusiasm for the project.
Desirable Criteria
* Experience with imaging systems.
* Experience in stereo vision and photogrammetry.
* Experience in industry or collaborating with industry.
* Experience of research‑student supervision.
* Experience with CAD software.
How to Apply
Please submit via the Heriot‑Watt online recruitment system: a cover letter describing your interest and suitability for the post, and a full CV. Applications can be submitted until midnight on Sunday 9th November 2025.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Heriot‑Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to creating an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, and appraised on the basis of their merits and abilities. We welcome applications from all sectors of society, particularly from under‑represented groups, and are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion for all.
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