Heriot-Watt University

Directorate: School of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Grade: Grade 7 (£37,174 - £46,735)

Contract Type: Full Time (1FTE), Fixed Term (24 Months)

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. 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.

Purpose of Role

The PDRA will investigate aspects of semiconductor-based single-photon avalanche diode detectors.

About our Team

The Single-Photon Group at Heriot-Watt have a long–standing track record in researching ground-breaking single photon detection and applications in quantum communications and single-photon imaging. With single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) detectors, we initiated and led collaborations to produce the first custom-designed InGaAs/InP single-photon avalanche diode detector (2006), first strained SiGe SPAD (2002), and custom-designed Ge-on-Si SPAD (2013), and first planar Ge-on-Si SPAD (2018). In quantum communications systems: work in the field led to a world record transmission distance quantum key distribution system (2001); the first demonstration of a quantum key distribution system operating at GHz clock–rate over an optical fibre link (2004); the first experimental demonstrations of quantum digital signatures (including the first experimental demonstration of quantum digital signatures over installed optical fibre in the Tokyo network) (2015 and 2017), and several novel coherent state amplification experiments. We have pioneered single-photon three-dimensional imaging since the 1990’s and continue to innovate, for example being the first to make underwater single-photon imaging demonstrations (2015), first measurements through camouflage (2017), first measurements through fog (2018), and first single-photon full colour image reconstruction (2018).

Our group has five laboratories with a total floor area of more than 120 m2, including space within a collaborative facility leveraging the skills and technologies of local EPSRC Quantum Hub colleagues. The research group has direct ownership of world–leading state–of–the–art equipment with a total value in excess of £3.5 million. Heriot-Watt University is leading a consortium of a further twelve universities and two national laboratories, supporting the formation of a new international research centre (Hub) funded by EPSRC for a 5-year research programme into Integrated Quantum Networks (IQN). The IQN Hub is supported by an initial £21.8M award from UKRI and additional industrial support, including ‘in-kind’ and direct financial support valued at approximately £20M. Furthermore, we have a global network of fellow world-leading researchers, offering the possibility of exchanges and collaborations.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The post holder is required to;

• Work with colleagues and line manager to devise and perform experiments, modelling and analysis consistent with the goals of the project.
• Design and development of novel semiconductor-based single-photon avalanche diode detectors. The ideal candidate will have a strong theoretical understanding and an experimental background in semiconductor optoelectronics or closely related field. Electro-optical characterisation and measurement of detectors are essential.
• General tasks will involve scientific research; analysis and interpretation of data; daily oversight of the activities of postgraduate and undergraduate project students in the laboratory; communication with other investigators involved in this collaborative project; preparation of scientific papers; presentation of research at conferences.
• Assist the development of student research skills, and be expected to contribute to the assessment of student knowledge (particularly PhD students) in the context of teaching and supervision duties. Could be expected to contribute to specialist courses such as research methods and equipment.
• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research with the assistance of a mentor, if required. Conduct individual and collaborative research projects, making use of relevant research techniques and methods. Disseminate results of research in peer reviewed journals and conferences, and/or other appropriate media.
• Continue to update personal knowledge and to develop skills within own specialist research area. Maintain written records of research results and progress generated intellectual property and data analysis. Contribute to the production of research reports and publications.
• We are looking for a creative and highly motivated researcher willing to work as part of a team. Provide guidance as required to support staff, research students and any other students who may be assisting with the research.
• Good communication skills and an appropriate publication record are essential.
• The successful candidate will be expected to conduct and lead their own experiments whilst also supervising the activities of junior group members and PhD students. Responsibilities will also include assistance in the day-to-day maintenance of the experimental facilities, liaising with companies and external collaborators.
• The successful candidate is also expected to be involved in our outreach activities, with roles that can be tuned to the specific preferences of the candidate but will involve for example interviews, talks for the general public and preparation of experimental demonstrators.

Education, Qualifications and Experience

Essential Criteria

• Applicants should hold a PhD in Physics or a relevant area of electrical engineering. (Applicants should have submitted their PhD thesis first draft by the start date.)
• Proven original research in single-photon detection, semiconductor-based avalanche photodiodes, or a related field
• Experience in semiconductor detector fabrication processes, including lithography mask design.
• Experience in photodiode characterisation.
• Ability to articulate research work, both in technical reports/papers and by oral presentation.
• Ability to formulate and progress work on their own initiative.
• Experience in leading the writing of peer-reviewed papers.
• Must be able to work as part of a team on the experiments at Heriot-Watt University and more widely with the collaborators at other Universities and industrial partners.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience with Time-correlated single-photon counting technology.
• Experience in free-space optics, optical instrumentation, and practical optical design.
• Experience in industry or collaborating with industry.
• Experience in research-student supervision.
• Experience in programming for data acquisition (e.g. MATLAB), analysis of data, and interfacing with multiple parts of equipment.

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 Thursday 24th July 2025.

We anticipate interviews to commence in early August 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-Watt University 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-Watt University 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 https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/ .

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.

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.