RESEARCH ASSISTANT IN LASER MATERIAL PROCESSING

Directorate:  School of Engineering & Physical Sciences 
Grade:  Grade 6 (£30,805 - £36,130) pro rata
Contract Type:  Part Time (0.5FTE), Fixed Term (6 Weeks) 
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. Part time workers should pro rata this by their FTE. 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

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The Research Assistant (RA) will work on  ultrashort laser materials processing, specifically evaluating the importance of fluence for determining thresholds in glass and metal processing with an ultra-short pulse laser.
This is a short term project associated with an impact accelerator grant involving an industry partner. The objective of the project is to demonstrate a novel laser based manufacturing technique by producing a prototype glass device.
The role of the RA on this project will be to determine suitable laser pulse parameters for laser material processing as a baseline for the PDRA work in laser material welding. The successful candidate will be required to rapidly embrace the body of knowledge vested in the research teams and will grasp the technical challenges of developing and demonstrating precision laser-based processing.

Education & Qualifications: Essential Criteria  

• A minimum of 2:1 in undergraduate Physics BSc or similar.
• Ability to articulate research work, both in written technical reports / papers and by oral presentation. 
• Must have proven academic ability and a demonstrable technical competence in experimental science and the analysis / modelling of the results. 
• Ability to formulate and progress work on their own initiative with evidence of research ability: problem solving, flexibility.â€

Skills & Experience: Essential Criteria  

• Demonstrating experimental skills. 
• Experience in contributing to the writing of scientific reports.
• Understand and adhere to information security practices particularly as it relates to personal and commercially sensitive information.
• Energy and enthusiasm for the project

Education & Qualifications: Desirable Criteria  

• Experience in any of these areas:
• Laser-based materials processing with high power / ultra-short-pulse lasers. 
• Optical or Laser system design and development. 
• Laser system modelling.
• Machine learning

Skills & Experience: Desirable Criteria  

• Previous experience working in a laser applications research environment.â€

• We are looking for creative and highly motivated researchers willing to work as part of a team. Good communication skills and enthusiasm are essential. 
• General tasks will involve scientific research; analysis and interpretation of data; communication with other investigators involved in this collaborative project; presentation of research at partnership workshops and meetings. 
• The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to experimental design and procedure as part in a collaborative decision-making process, while taking responsibility for implementing experiments, theoretical models (where appropriate) and data analysis. 
• Responsibilities will also include assistance in the day-to-day maintenance of the experimental facilities and liaising with external collaborators.
• This is a campus-based role that is not suitable for remote working. 
  Education, Qualifications and Experience  

Education & Qualifications: Essential Criteria  

• A minimum of 2:1 in undergraduate Physics BSc or similar.
• Ability to articulate research work, both in written technical reports / papers and by oral presentation. 
• Must have proven academic ability and a demonstrable technical competence in experimental science and the analysis / modelling of the results. 
• Ability to formulate and progress work on their own initiative with evidence of research ability: problem solving, flexibility. 

Skills & Experience: Essential Criteria  

• Demonstrating experimental skills. 
• Experience in contributing to the writing of scientific reports.
• Understand and adhere to information security practices particularly as it relates to personal and commercially sensitive information.
• Energy and enthusiasm for the project.

Education & Qualifications: Desirable Criteria  

• Experience in any of these areas:
• Laser-based materials processing with high power / ultra-short-pulse lasers. 
• Optical or Laser system design and development. 
• Laser system modelling.
• Machine learning.

Skills & Experience: Desirable Criteria  

• Previous experience working in a laser applications research environment.