Purpose of Role
The application requires a CV and a cover letter explaining your motivation/interest in this project to be submitted through the university portal. Candidates are requested to specifically highlight in their applications how they fulfil the essential criteria for the post, listed below.
We especially encourage applications from women and other underrepresented groups in Physics.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
The post holder is required to:
1. Design and perform rigorous and systematic experiments to explore new ultrafast nonlinear optics phenomena in gas-filled hollow-core optical fibres.
2. Work with ultrafast optical setups, including: management of advanced laser systems, the design and construction of pulse compression systems, and building and operating optical characterization devices.
3. Run existing simulation codes and process their results. Helping to develop new models and algorithms to simulate pulse propagation, the material response, and other aspects of our experiments. Coding in Julia and python.
4. Writing, editing and publishing scientific articles in leading journals, and presenting results at international conferences.
5. Assisting with the filing of intellectual property and technology transfer.
6. Supervising the activities of junior group members and mentoring PhD students.
7. Assisting in the day-to-day maintenance of the experimental facilities, liaising with companies and external collaborators.
8. Carry out the research project to a high standard by: meeting planned milestones and deliverables; reporting progress regularly to supervisors, both verbally and in written reports; keeping clear written records of work done and storing data in accessible formats according to a system agreed with the project supervisor.
9. The post holder will join the Laboratory of Ultrafast Physics and Optics and will be expected to work collaboratively and cooperatively in a team environment; this involves shared use of laboratory equipment (therefore effective communication between group members is essential).
Essential & Desirable Criteria
Essential
10. A PhD in physics with a specialisation in ultrafast nonlinear optics in gas-filled hollow-core fibres. Candidates must have submitted their doctoral thesis before starting in post.
11. Specific experimental experience in generating and characterising extreme laser pulses (sub-femtosecond pulses, DUV and VUV pulses).
12. Specific experimental experience in the generation of radial vector beams.
13. The ability to articulate research work, both in technical reports/papers and by oral presentation.
14. A strong theoretical understanding of soliton dynamics.
15. The ability to work as part of a team on the experiments at Heriot-Watt and more widely with collaborators at other institutions.
Desirable
16. Evidence of ability, subject to opportunity, to guide other researchers, e.g. PhD students and undergraduate project students.
17. Evidence of ability to present work effectively in person, e.g. at conferences and seminars.
18. Experience with gas-filled hollow-fibre setups, including the design and use of gas systems, beam stabilisation systems and vacuum systems.
19. Experience of electronic device design and construction.
20. Experience of computer aided design (CAD) of components and devices.