Postdoctoral Research Associate in Ultrafast Pulse Characterisation
Postdoctoral Research Associate in Ultrafast Pulse Characterisation
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Job Description
Role: PDRA in Ultrafast Pulse Characterisation
Grade and Salary: Grade
Contract Type: Full Time Fixed Term (9 months)
Rewards and Benefits: 33 days annual leave plus 9 buildings closed days for all full time staff (Part time workers should pro rata this by their FTE). Use our total rewards calculator: to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.
Purpose of Role
The Laboratory of Ultrafast Physics and Optics (LUPO ) seeks a talented and motivated scientist to carry out a research programme focused on characterising ultrafast laser pulses. The project is expected to lead to significant technological progress and high-impact scientific publications in the areas of ultrafast and nonlinear optics.
For more information please send enquiry emails to Prof John Travers ().
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:
- Design and perform rigorous and systematic experiments to explore new ultrafast nonlinear optics phenomena in gas-filled hollow-core optical fibres.
- 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.
- 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.
- Take a prominent role in discussions and knowledge transfer with our industrial collaborators including writing detailed progress reports.
- Writing editing and publishing scientific articles in leading journals and presenting results at international conferences.
- Assisting with the filing of intellectual property and technology transfer.
- Supervising the activities of junior group members and mentoring PhD students.
- Assisting in the day-to-day maintenance of the experimental facilities liaising with companies and external collaborators.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- Specific experimental experience in characterising extreme laser pulses (sub-cycle pulses DUV and VUV pulses).
- The ability to articulate research work both in technical reports/papers and by oral presentation.
- A strong theoretical understanding of soliton dynamics and the TIPTOE technique.
- The ability to work as part of a team on the experiments at Heriot-Watt and more widely with collaborators at other institutions.
Desirable
- Evidence of ability subject to opportunity to guide other researchers e.g. PhD students and undergraduate project students.
- Evidence of ability to present work effectively in person e.g. at conferences and seminars.
- Experience with gas-filled hollow-fibre setups including the design and use of gas systems beam stabilisation systems and vacuum systems.
- Experience of programming for data acquisition and analysis (preferably in Python).
- Experience of computer aided design (CAD) of components and devices.
- Experience in writing numerical scientific codes.
About the Team
The laboratory of ultrafast physics and optics (LUPO) uses nonlinear optics to create new light sources with tailored and extreme spectral and temporal properties. Examples include the generation of high-energy single-cycle pulses in the ultraviolet new techniques for broadband white-light supercontinuum generation and the design and construction of high-energy few-cycle ultrafast fibre lasers.
Our work is a mix of experimentation and numerical modelling. We make use of natures full landscape of materials laser beam geometries and nonlinear effects but our favourite system is hollow waveguides (such as photonic crystal fibres and capillaries) filled with gases liquids and plasmas.
We use these light sources for both fundamental science (such as the physics of nonlinear optics ultrafast light-gas interactions new ways of driving strong-field physics advanced spectroscopy) and for applications in healthcare advanced manufacturing and the semiconductor industry.
Please see further details of my group.
Our group is part of the Institute of Photonics and Quantum Science (IPaQS) which is one of the UKs largest research clusters in Photonics. IPaQS has a strong culture of collaborative research which is built on the regular exchange of ideas between our experimental and theory groups. We are a tight-knit community of academics that support each others career development. We have a strong commitment to equity diversity and inclusion and hold regular events that celebrate our diversity and raise awareness about issues affecting the IPaQS community. We have world-class research facilities including a 275m2cleanroom and 2175m2of high specification optics and laser laboratories providing the infrastructure needed to conduct internationally leading research in photonics and quantum sciences. The UK Research and Excellence Framework (REF2021) saw Heriot-Watt Physics ranked first in Scotland and 4th in the UK for world-leading research.
About Heriot-Watt University
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 well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.
How to Apply
Please submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing their interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV
Applications can be submitted until midnight on Tuesday 16th September 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 well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.
Heriot-WattUniversity 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-WattUniversity 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 award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.
Use our total rewards calculator: see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.
Required Experience:
IC
Employment Type
Full-Time
