Purpose of Role
The Edinburgh Mostly Quantum Lab seeks a talented and motivated scientist for carrying out experiments and field tests for entanglement-based quantum communication with satellites via the Quantum Communications Hub’s optical ground station (HOGS) located on Heriot-Watt campus. The primary goals of the project are to:
1. Develop rugged high-quality entangled photon sources for satellite uplink scenarios
2. Develop uplink infrastructure for the Hub Optical Ground Station telescope on Heriot-Watt campus
3. Conduct field tests and international quantum key distribution via HOGS to the Canadian QEYSSat satellite mission
The project is expected to lead to technological progress and high-impact scientific publications in quantum light source development and intercontinental satellite quantum communication. The work will be conducted in the framework of a recently funded 3-year EPSRC project. It will be carried out under the supervision of Prof Alessandro Fedrizzi, who is the principal investigator of the project, and co-supervision by Dr Ross Donaldson.
The application requires a CV and a cover letter explaining the motivation/interest in this project to be submitted through the university portal. Candidates are invited 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:
4. Develop a modular high-brightness entangled photon source compatible with the HOGS satellite quantum communication facility.
5. Develop uplink capabilities for the optical ground station, including point-ahead tracking and polarisation control.
6. Conduct field tests for quantum communication with a receiver satellite in a low-earth orbit.
7. Carry out other general tasks involved in scientific research as analysis and interpretation of data, and daily oversight of the activities of postgraduate and undergraduate project students in the laboratory.
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. Collaborate with partners within the project and others as appropriate
10. The post holder will join the Edinburgh Mostly Quantum Lab 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).
11. Assist the development of student research skills and contribute to the assessment of student knowledge in the context of teaching and supervision duties.
12. Maintain and develop collaborations with internal and external partners in the field.
13. Attend group and project meetings, communicating progress on a regular basis. Deliver presentations to project collaborators and the wider research community. Regular short-term travels to visit collaborators and attend international conferences are thus expected and funding to cover caring costs are available.
14. Write high quality research papers in English for the scientific literature.
15. Disseminate results of research in peer reviewed journals and conferences, and/or other appropriate media.
Essential & Desirable Criteria
Essential
16. A PhD in physics, electrical engineering, or other relevant subjects. Candidates must have submitted their doctoral thesis before starting in post.
17. The ideal candidate will have a strong experimental background in one or more of the following fields: experimental quantum photonics, quantum communications.
18. A record of high-quality publications, relative to opportunity, in the above-mentioned fields.
19. Commitment to adopting principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace
Desirable
20. Previous experience with one or more of the following: Entangled photon source development Long-distance quantum communication Modelling of optical satellite communication links
21. Experience in leading the writing of scientific papers.
22. Evidence of ability, subject to opportunity, to guide other researchers, e.g. PhD students and undergraduate project students.
23. Capability to be self-directed and think innovatively.