Research Associate in satellite quantum photonics

Salary: £32,817 - £35,845 depending on experience

Contract: Fixed term 12 months

The School of Engineering & Physical Sciences has an international research reputation and close connection with the professional and industrial world of science, engineering and technology. Our research ranges from fundamental sciences through to engineering applications, all of which are supported by strong external funding. We have around 150 full-time academic staff who drive this research activity and are based in 5 research institutes: the Institute of Chemical Sciences, the Institute of Photonics & Quantum Sciences, the Institute of Mechanical, Process & Energy Engineering, the Institute of Sensors, Signals & Systems and the Institute of Biological Chemistry, BioPhysics & BioEngineering. REF2014 named Heriot-Watt in the top 25% of UK universities, with 82% of our research ranked as world-leading or internationally excellent. Heriot-Watt ranked 9th university in the UK and 1st in Scotland for research impact.

The School of Engineering & Physical Sciences has received the Bronze Award from the Athena SWAN Charter recognising excellence in championing employment of women in the fields of science and technology, engineering and mathematics.

In addition we deliver teaching across 6 undergraduate and post-graduate programmes: Chemistry; Physics; Electrical, Electronic & Computer Engineering; Chemical Engineering; Mechanical Engineering and Brewing & Distilling. In the 2019 National Student Survey Heriot-Watt University was ranked 35th in the UK. 90% of our students were satisfied overall with their course in over half of the University’s subject areas. At subject area level the School ranked in the top 10 UK universities for Physics and we were 3rd in Scotland for Chemistry and 2nd for Mechanical Engineering and 1st in Scotland for Chemical Engineering.

About our Team

The Edinburgh Mostly Quantum Lab was established in 2015. Led by Prof. Alessandro Fedrizzi, our team of currently nine international researchers (5 PhDs, 3 postdocs) covers all areas of photonic quantum information processing — from foundations to applications in quantum computing, simulation, communication and metrology. In 2020 we joined Phase 2 of the UK national quantum hub in Quantum Communications, where our role is primarily in quantum networking and space-based quantum technology.

The UK Quantum Communications hub is a collaboration between 12 academic and many more industry partners. Highlights in its completed phase one are the deployment of the UK’s first quantum network, breakthroughs in chip-scale QKD architecture, and advances in next-generation quantum protocols. The focus in the next phase will be on delivering quantum communication at all scales, including via satellites. There will be ample opportunity for interacting with the hub’s researchers and external partners and to participate in a rich public outreach agenda.

Detailed Description

Satellites are the lead technology for enabling truly global, secure quantum communication. Utopia still a decade ago, a number of in-orbit demonstrations are now establishing the feasibility of distributing encoded single photons from and to space. The UK is now partner to commercial and academic international efforts for driving this technology forward. The QC hub is one of the lead coordinators, with one major work package dedicated to an in-orbit demonstration of a cube-sat quantum transmitter that will communicate with a domestic network of mobile and stationary optical ground stations.
Your primary role will be to design and build a prototype for a ground-based quantum communication transmitter suitable for communication with a quantum receiver on board the Canadian QEYSSAT satellite mission that is to be deployed soon. The transmitter will be based on entangled photons, be rugged and modular for field deployment on hub ground stations. There is flexibility for pursuing your own research agenda if it aligns with lab activities.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The post holder is required to;

• The ideal candidate will have a strong theoretical understanding and an experimental background in one or more of the following fields: quantum information processing, experimental quantum photonics.

• 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. Could be expected to contribute to specialist courses such as research methods and equipment.

• Collaborate effectively within the quantum hub and beyond. Join existing research networks both internally and externally and expand them where appropriate.

• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research with the assistance of a mentor, if required. Conduct individual and collaborative research projects, making use of relevant research techniques and methods. Disseminate results of research in peer reviewed journals and conferences, and/or other appropriate media. Maintain written records of research results and progress generated intellectual property and data analysis. Contribute to the production of research reports and publications.

• Write research reports and publications. Analyse and interpret the results of own research and generate original ideas bases on outcomes. Prepare proposals and applications to external bodies, e.g. for funding purposes. Use initiative and creativity to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.

• Good communication skills and an appropriate publication record are essential. Prior experience with opto-mechanical design and the requirements and limitations of space-based technology is a bonus.

• General tasks will 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.

• The successful candidate will be expected to conduct and lead their own experiments whilst also supervising the activities of junior group members and PhD students.

Education, Qualifications and Experience

Essential Criteria

Desirable Criteria

Travel

Domestic travel to Hub meetings is expected and potentially one international visit to our project partners in Canada.

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.

Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/

We are open to discussion on flexible working options.

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.