Research Assistant at University of Cambridge

Applications are invited for an experimental researcher post available from November 2019 for 6 months within a UK- and EU-funded centre exploring nanostructured materials for photonics- and bio-applications. This project is part of an EPSRC programme grant, based on our new abilities to confine light to the nanometre scale to give a host of opportunities for new types of quantum optical nonlinear interactions mediated by single or few molecules. Working in several teams with over 40 researchers, you will be developing nano-optics studies of nanoparticles and nanostructures to explore and control these nonlinear interactions, through design of unusual molecules in precise geometries at the nanoscale.

Project: Ultrafast single-photon detection techniques for sensitive spectroscopy This project will continue our work studying ultrafast dynamics of light confinement down to the atomic scale to study the interaction with individual molecules and nanostructures. We self-assemble wide variety of constructs to study the real-time dynamics on these extreme nano-optics scales. This will require experience in ultrafast, nano-optics, plasmonics, as well as a good theoretical understanding. A key requirement is strong knowledge and experience of fast electronics using FPGA boards to process single-photon electronic events. Some background in opto-mechanics or infrared spectroscopy would be advantageous.

Job requirements: Candidates will have, or be close to obtaining, a strong physics PhD or a related discipline, with experience in optical measurements on the nanoscale and/or chemistry of nano-assembly and nano-systems. In addition to proven experimental skills the candidate should ideally have experience in working across disciplinary boundaries. They should expect to be involved in both construction of new high precision optical spectroscopy rigs using lasers as well as a variety of chemical sample preparations or synthesis. Experience in the field of plasmonics or metamaterials or soft materials would be helpful, as well as with surface-enhanced Raman scattering or infrared spectroscopies.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 6 months in the first instance.

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Appointment at research associate is dependent on having a PhD (or equivalent experience), including those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD (in which case appointment will initially be made at research assistant and amended to research associate when the PhD is awarded). The research assistant salary (grade 5) falls within the range 26,243 to 30,395. The research associate (grade 7) salary falls within the range 32,236 to 39,609.

The UK NanoPhotonics Centre (http://www.np.phy.cam.ac.uk) collaborates widely across the University of Cambridge including the Departments of Chemistry, Engineering, Physics of Medicine, Cancer Research UK, Chemical Engineering, Materials as well as many international partners, industry, with several major EU programmes. Recent publications can be seen on our website (above). Prof JJ Baumberg, FRS, is an acknowledged leader in discovering and assembling nanomaterials for novel photonics. Informal enquiries may be addressed to Prof Jeremy Baumberg (jjb12@cam.ac.uk).

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.