Postdoctoral Research Associate in Superconducting Detectors

at  Durham University

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Superconducting Detectors (Job Number: 24001939)
Department of Physics
Grade 7: - £37,999 to £45,163 per annum
Fixed Term - Full Time
Contract Duration: 17 months
Contracted Hours per Week: 35
Working Arrangements: This role is full time but we will consider requests for flexible working arrangements including potential job shares
Closing Date: 26-Nov-2024, 5:59:00 PM
Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable.

THE ROLE

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position in the Superconducting Quantum Detectors group in Durham. The role will be focused on the development of a Kinetic Inductance Detector (KID) based hyperspectral pyramid wave-front sensor for extreme adaptive optics. This project is initially funded as part of a UKRI Infrastructure Fund activity towards early R&D for the ELT-PCS instrument. ELT-PCS is the planetary camera and spectrograph for ESO’s 39-m Extremely Large Telescope.
The Superconducting Quantum Detectors group in Durham are a leading group in the application of visible/NIR KIDs for astronomy. We are building a test-bench to demonstrate a novel hyperspectral WFS based on a pyramid WFS in combination with a visible/NIR KID. KIDs are energy resolving detectors which, when combined with a Pyramid WFS can enable radically different approaches to wave-front sensing. You will be expected to contribute to the design and development of the test-bench, with a particular emphasis on the detector aspects of the project. This might include mounting and characterising new KID arrays, developing tools for their use, analysing the data taken with them for input into the AO control system and working with our partners on device specification and development. You will join an experienced group of scientists and engineers based here in Durham, who will work with you on this exciting new R&D program.
Through this position you will be making a crucial contribution to the development of this research programme. This role will suit someone who wishes to gain practical experience of taking novel research outputs and developing technologies from them to the level where they can be incorporated into cutting edge scientific instruments. You will be expected to work in close collaboration with other members of CfAI as well as our international partners who have a wide range of scientific and engineering backgrounds.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• 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, project design reviews 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 and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect.
• To engage in wider 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.
  This post is fixed term to coincide with the duration of our existing funding, which will end on 31st March 2026. There is the possibility for extension beyond this period if additional funding can be secured.
  The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder 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 1st December 2024.