Research Associate in Silicon Carbide Devices for Quantum Networking
Research Associate in Silicon Carbide Devices for Quantum Networking
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Job Description
Directorate:School of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Grade:Grade
Contract Type:Full Time 1FTE) Fixed Term 24 Months)
Rewards and Benefits: 33 days annual leave plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday) for all full time staff. Use our total rewards calculator: to see the value of benefits provided by HeriotWatt University
Detailed Description
We seek a talented and motivated scientist to undertake research on spinphoton interfacing in SiC quantum optoelectronic devices. The goals of the project are to develop highfidelity control of electronic and nuclear spins associated to point defects in SiC and to enhance the performance of the spinphoton interface by the integration of microelectronic and photonic functionalities. SiC is a unique material for this goal as it uniquely combines excellent photonic microelectronic and spintronic functionalities.
We expect the candidate to lead ongoing work on an existing lowtemperature setup that has already resulted in highprofile scientific publications (e.g. Nature Communications 14 8448. We expect the candidate to play a leading role in proposing and developing novel experiments in collaboration with colleagues working on developing SiC quantum devices. We furthermore expect the candidate to actively contribute to the IQN hub attending meetings presenting their work and creating new collaborations with researchers at the partner institutions.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
The key tasks of this project are to undertake research in the following areas:
- Propose develop and conduct experiments to push the stateoftheart on spinphoton interfacing in SiC for quantum networking applications
- Actively collaborate with colleagues working on designing and fabricating SiC quantum devices.
- Intellectual property protection with a view to develop near and future market applications
- General tasks 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.
To carry out the research project to a high standard;
- 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.
To collaborate with partners within the project and others as appropriate:
- The project involves a close collaboration with SiC device engineers and theoretical physicists.
- The post holder will join the Quantum Photonics Laboratory 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) attending and giving periodic presentations to weekly group meetings.
- 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.
- The post holder will be expected to maintain and develop collaborations with internal and external partners in the field with an open and collaborative spirit
Dissemination of results:
- Attend group and project meetings communicating progress on a regular basis. Deliver presentations to project collaborators and the wider research community
- Write high quality research papers in English for the scientific literature.
- Disseminate results of research in peer reviewed journals and conferences and/or other appropriate media.
Other duties:
- Understand the intellectual property landscape relevant to the project and seek to protect the methods and techniques developed during the course of the project.
- Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research with the assistance of a mentor if required.
- 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.
- 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.
- The ideal candidate will have a strong theoretical understanding and an experimental background in one or more of the following fields: condensedmatter physics quantum optics and quantum information science preferentially with some previous expertise on spin control.
- 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.
- Responsibilities will also include assistance in the daytoday maintenance of the experimental facilities liaising with companies and external collaborators.
- The successful candidate is also expected to be involved in our outreach activities with roles that can be tuned to the specific preferences of the candidate but will involve for example interviews talks for the general public and preparation of experimental demonstrators.
Education Qualifications and Experience
Essential Criteria
- A PhD in physics materials science electrical engineering or related subjects (or expected to be awarded a PhD soon)
- A sound grasp of photonics quantum mechanics qubit control.
- A demonstrated trackrecord (during a PhD degree or postdoctoral research) of:
- Construction and operation of optical and/or microwave setups
- Experimental work on quantum technology preferably with solidstate qubits at cryogenic temperature
- Development of physical models to understand experimental data
- Primary author contributions to peerreviewed journals
- Experience of programming (C or Python or MATLAB) for data acquisition and analysis.
- A record of high quality publications as appropriate for the stage in career and evidence of contribution to the writing of these publications proportionate to opportunity.
- Ability to articulate research work both in technical reports / papers and by oral presentation
- Ability to formulate and progress work on their own initiative
- Evidence of research ability: problem solving flexibility
- Must be able to work as part of a team on the experiments at HeriotWatt and more widely with the collaborators at other Universities
- Experience in writing and managing peerreviewed papers.
- Experience in public presentations of scientific results (e.g. conference talks)
Desirable Criteria
- Good understanding of spin control and/or NMR/EPR techniques
- Some expertise in nanofabrication
- Experience in leading the writing of scientific papers.
- Evidence of ability subject to opportunity to guide other researchers e.g. PhD students and undergraduate project students.
- Experience of researchstudent supervision.
- Capability to be selfdirected and think innovatively.
- Energy and enthusiasm for the project.
About our Team
We offer a postdoctoral position related to the newly funded Integrated Quantum Networks (IQN) lead by HeriotWatt University. As part of the UK Quantum Technology Programme the hub will develop a multiplatform secure quantum networking. The position cosupervised by Prof Cristian Bonato and Dr Christiaan Bekker is related to the development of quantum repeaters based on spinphoton interfacing in silicon carbide (SiC) quantum optoelectronic devices. Silicon carbide a mature semiconductor widely used in power electronics enables the development of industrycompatible quantum devices while maintaining excellent quantum coherence.
The team manages stateoftheart laboratories for quantum optics and highresolution laser spectroscopy of quantum emitters at room and cryogenic temperatures radiofrequency control of electronic/nuclear spins facilities for the fabrication and characterisation of novel optoelectronic / quantum devices.
How to Apply
Please submit via the HeriotWatt 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 30th April 2025.
At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.
Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with wellbeing and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.
HeriotWattUniversity 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.
HeriotWattUniversity 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 also our awardwinning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. parttime working and job share options.
Use our total rewards calculator: see the value of benefits provided by HeriotWatt University.
Required Experience:
IC
Employment Type
Full-Time
