Role: Research Associate in Integrated Photonics Quantum Memories using rare earth doped crystals
Grade and Salary: Grade 7, £36,924 - £46,485 per annum
FTE and working pattern: 1 FTE, 35hrs per week, Monday : Friday
Contract: 24 Months FTC
Holiday Entitlement: 33 days annual leave plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday)

ROLE DESCRIPTION

The Quantum Photonics Laboratory seeks a talented and motivated scientist to start a new line of research on integrated platforms for novel quantum devices using rare-earth doped crystals for quantum memory applications. Significant goals include

• the characterization of the optical/spin properties of different crystals,
• manipulation and optimization of their electronic and spin coherence through complex optical and MW sequences,
• implementation of quantum memory protocols in both bulk crystals and waveguide structures,
• integration of MW circuits.

The project is expected to lead to high impact scientific publications and to technological developments related to integrated quantum photonic devices for quantum communication and computation. The work will be conducted in the framework of a recently funded EPSRC grant involving world-leading partners working on waveguide fabrication and electrical engineering. It will be carried out under the supervision of Prof Margherita Mazzera, who is principal investigator of the funded project.
For more information, please send enquiry emails to Prof Margherita Mazzera ( m.mazzera@hw.ac.uk ).
The application requires a CV and a cover letter explaining the motivation/interest in this project to be submitted through the university portal. Candidates are invited 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:

• Operate, maintain and modify, when necessary, a quantum memory experimental setup including tuneable lasers, cryocoolers, vacuum systems, arbitrary waveform generators for the manipulation of atomic and spin excitations, and radio frequency sources for the control of spins.
• Perform spectroscopic characterization of various rare-earth crystals and implement quantum storage protocols.
• Carry out other general tasks involved in scientific research as analysis and interpretation of data, and daily oversight of the activities of postgraduate and undergraduate project students in the laboratory.
• 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.
• Collaborate with partners within the project and others as appropriate
• 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).
• Assist the development of student research skills and contribute to the assessment of student knowledge in the context of teaching and supervision duties.
• Maintain and develop collaborations with internal and external partners in the field.
• Attend group and project meetings, communicating progress on a regular basis. Deliver presentations to project collaborators and the wider research community. Regular short-term travels to visit collaborators and attend international conferences are thus expected and funding to cover caring costs are available.
• 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.