Postdoctoral Research Associate in Quantum Light and Matter

Job title:

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Quantum Light and Matter

Company

Durham University

Job description

Durham UniversityDurham University is one of the world’s top universities with strengths across the Arts and Humanities, Sciences and Social Sciences. We are home to some of the most talented scholars and researchers from around the world who are tackling global issues and making a difference to people’s lives.The University sits in a beautiful historic city where it shares ownership of a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Durham Cathedral, the greatest Romanesque building in Western Europe. A collegiate University, Durham recruits outstanding students from across the world and offers an unmatched wider student experience.Less than 3 hours north of London, and an hour and a half south of Edinburgh, County Durham is a region steeped in history and natural beauty. The Durham Dales, including the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, are home to breath taking scenery and attractions. Durham offers an excellent choice of city, suburban and rural residential locations. The University provides a range of benefits including pension and childcare benefits and the University’s Relocation Manager can assist with potential schooling requirements.Durham University seeks to promote and maintain an inclusive and supportive environment for work and study that assists all members of our University community to reach their full potential. Diversity brings strength and we welcome applications from across the international, national and regional communities that we work with and serve.The DepartmentThe Department of Physics at Durham University is one of the leading UK Physics departments with an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching, research and employability of our students.The Department is committed to advancing equality and we aim to ensure that our culture is inclusive, and that our systems support flexible and family-friendly working, as recognized by our Juno Champion and Athena SWAN Silver awards. We recognise and value the benefits of diversity throughout our staff and students.The RoleTwo Postdoctoral Research Associate positions are available to pursue experimental research in the field of atomic and laser physics within the Durham Quantum Light and Matter group. Both positions are funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and focus on advancing the frontier of quantum science using ultracold RbCs molecules trapped in optical tweezers. The post holders will work directly with Prof. Simon Cornish, Dr. Alex Guttridge and their research teams in Durham’s Quantum Light and Matter group.The overarching goal of the research is to synthesise and study artificial quantum materials using ultracold RbCs molecules arranged in regular arrays to probe novel quantum phenomena in strongly interacting quantum systems. The use of molecules is motivated by their rich internal structure, combined with the existence of controllable long-range dipole-dipole interactions, long trap lifetimes and strong coupling to electric and microwave fields.One position is part of the project “Enhancing molecular control using Rydberg atoms”, which focuses on using hybrid systems of ultracold molecules and Rydberg atoms in optical tweezers for non-destructive detection of individual molecules and fast preparation of entangled states of molecules. The second position is part of a UK-Canada research collaboration on “Quantum-enhanced sensing with atoms and molecules”, investigating the application of molecular arrays for precision measurements and quantum sensing.The post holders are therefore expected to have experience and familiarity with the techniques used in the study of ultracold gases, including the operation of magneto-optical traps, the production of quantum degenerate gases and optical trapping using optical tweezers/lattices. They will be expected to display initiative and creativity, along with the appropriate skills and knowledge, to achieve the research goals. The post holders are also expected to work effectively both independently and as part of a small research team. It is expected that the post holders will enhance the international contacts of the group through the presentation of work at international conferences and exchange visits to collaborators connected with the project. The post holders will also be expected to aid in the supervision of graduate students within the group as well as contributing to the undergraduate teaching within the Department.Informal enquiries are welcome and should please be directed toResponsibilities :

• To understand and convey material of a specialist or highly technical nature to the team or group of people through presentations and discussions that leads to the presentation of research papers in conferences and publications.

• To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences which may include: research sponsors, academic and non-academic audiences.

• To publish high quality outputs, including papers for submission to peer reviewed journals and papers for presentation at conferences and workshops under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.

• To assist with the development of research objectives and proposals.

• To conduct individual and collaborative research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.

• To work with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and other colleagues in the research group, as appropriate, to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.

• To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and offering creative or innovative solutions.

• To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.

• To plan and manage own research activity, research resources in collaboration with others and contribute to the planning of research projects.

• To deliver training in research techniques/approaches to peers, visitors and students as appropriate.

• To be involved in student supervision, as appropriate, and assist with the assessment of the knowledge of students.

• To contribute to fostering a collegial working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect.

• To engage in citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.

• To engage in continuing professional development by participation in the undergraduate or postgraduate teaching programmes or by membership of departmental committees, etc. and by attending relevant training and development courses.

These posts are for a fixed term of 24 months.The post holders are employed to work on research projects which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post holders will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.Successful applicants will ideally be in post by April 2025.QualificationsThe RequirementsEssential:Qualifications1. A good first degree in physics.2. A PhD (or be close to submission) in atomic physics or a closely related area.Experience3. Experience in conducting high quality academic research.4. Demonstrable ability to write material of a quality commensurate with publication in highly-ranked journals.5. Demonstrable ability to present research findings at meetings or conferences and to communicate complex information to specialists within the wider academic community.6. To have experience in the experimental study of ultracold atomic or molecular gases.Skills7. Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, including participating in research meetings.8. Ability to work independently on own initiative and to strict deadlines.9. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.10. Skills relevant to the trapping and manipulation of ultracold gases. Examples include basic electronics, development of FPGA devices, development of narrow-linewidth lasers, laser frequency stabilisation and control, image analysis, data acquisition, optical design and Gaussian beam propagation.Desirable:Experience11. Demonstrable ability to develop research proposals and designs in collaboration with other academics.12. Experience of overseeing students with respect to the development of their practical/research skills e.g. acting as a demonstrator; supervising student projects/practicals.13. Demonstrable ability to model experiments using a range of software packages, such as Python, Matlab or Mathematica.14. Experience of experimental research in the field of ultracold molecule is highly desirable, especially the study of molecules formed by associating ultracold atoms.How to ApplyTo progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification below. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.Submitting your applicationWe prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.What to SubmitAll applicants are asked to submit:a CV and cover letter which details your experience, skills, and achievements in meeting (or the potential to meet) the criteria set out below.Any other additional documents the department feel would support the shortlisting process.Next StepsShort-listed candidates will be invited to the University, either virtually or in-person and will have the opportunity to meet key members of the Department. The assessment for the post will normally include a presentation to staff and students in the Department followed by an interview and we anticipate that the assessments and interviews will take place over two days in or around mid March 2025.In the event that you are unable to attend in person on the date offered, it may not be possible to offer you an interview on an alternative date.Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants – Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.

Expected salary

Location

Durham – London

Job date

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 06:32:05 GMT

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