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- Tasks: Conduct cutting-edge research in optical attosecond science and collaborate with international teams.
- Company: Join LUPO, a leading research group in photonics at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, career development support, and a vibrant, inclusive research community.
- Why this job: Be part of groundbreaking research that impacts technology and healthcare while working in world-class facilities.
- Qualifications: PhD in physics or engineering with expertise in ultrafast optics; strong experimental and theoretical skills required.
- Other info: Fixed-term contract for 3 years with potential for extension; equity and diversity are core values.
The predicted salary is between 37174 - 46735 £ per year.
Job Description
Role: Postdoctoral Research Associate in Optical Attosecond Science
Grade and Salary: Grade 7 (£37,174 – £46,735)
Contract Type: Full Time, Fixed Term (3 years with possibility for extension)
Location: Edinburgh Campus
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.
Detailed Description
The Laboratory of Ultrafast Physics and Optics (LUPO, https://lupo-lab.com) seeks a talented and motivated scientist to drive a research programme in advanced ultrafast nonlinear optics and attosecond-resolution ultrafast spectroscopy. The goal of the project is to design, implement, and utilise a new beamline for ultrafast science with ultrabroadband optical attosecond pulses. The work will involve both ultrafast pulse compression and frequency conversion exploiting gas-filled hollow-core fibres as well as ultrafast spectroscopy investigations of condensed-matter samples. The project will be carried out under the supervision of Dr Christian Brahms and in the framework of an ERC Starting Grant, which aims to establish a new regime of optical attosecond science. It will be supported by international collaborations with several world-leading research groups in ultrafast science. A new state-of-the-art laboratory is being developed for the project.
About Our Team
LUPO uses nonlinear optics to create new light sources with extreme spectral and temporal properties: ultrabroadband supercontinua, intense sub-cycle field transients, and few-femtosecond ultraviolet pulses, among many others. We combine numerical modelling with experiments to study the fundamental nonlinear optical dynamics in our favourite system: gas-filled hollow-core fibres, both with and without microstructure. We use the new light sources we develop in applications ranging from industrial and healthcare technology to fundamental scientific research, both in our own laboratories and in collaboration with a large international network of partners in academia and industry.
LUPO is jointly led by several principal investigators. Our facilities include over 200 m2 of laboratory space and a large range of primary ultrafast laser sources, ranging from home-built fibre oscillators to several high-power ytterbium-based systems and a high-energy titanium-doped sapphire amplifier. We design and build many of our own components and devices, including state-of-the-art ultrafast pulse characterisation systems, vacuum beamlines, high-pressure gas cells, and optical diagnostics. Our numerical simulations rely on our own open-source code, Luna.jl (https://github.com/LupoLab/Luna.jl).
More details about our group and our research can be found at https://lupo-lab.com/
LUPO is part of the Institute of Photonics and Quantum Science (IPaQS), which is one of the UK\’s largest research clusters in Photonics. IPaQS has a strong culture of collaborative research, which is built on the regular exchange of ideas between our experimental and theory groups. We are a tight-knit community of academics that support each other\’s career development. We have a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and hold regular events that celebrate our diversity and raise awareness about issues affecting the IPaQS community. We have world-class research facilities, including a 275m2 cleanroom and 2175m2 of high-specification optics and laser laboratories, providing the infrastructure needed to conduct internationally leading research in photonics and quantum sciences. The most recent UK Research and Excellence Framework (REF2021) saw Heriot-Watt Physics ranked first in Scotland and 4th in the UK for world-leading research.
Education, Qualifications and Experience
Essential
- A PhD in physics or engineering with a specialisation in ultrafast nonlinear optics and/or ultrafast spectroscopy, or extensive postdoctoral experience in these areas. Candidates must have submitted their doctoral thesis before starting in post.
- Experience of publishing high-quality research in the above-mentioned fields, proportionate to career stage and opportunity.
- A strong theoretical understanding of ultrafast science, including ultrafast pulse compression and frequency conversion as well as scientific applications of ultrafast light sources.
- Extensive experimental skills and experience in ultrafast optical systems.
- The ability to articulate research work, both their own and others\’, in research publications and oral presentations.
- The ability to work as part of a team in the experiments in our own laboratories as well as with a diverse group of international collaborators.
Desirable
- Track record of supervision of other researchers, e.g. PhD students and undergraduate project students, proportionate to career stage and opportunity.
- Evidence of ability to present work effectively at conferences, seminars etc.
- Practical experience with the use of gas-filled hollow-core fibres for nonlinear optics, pulse compression, frequency conversion etc.
- Experience with ultrafast measurements, e.g. pulse metrology, transient absorption spectroscopy, photoelectron spectroscopy, two-dimensional spectroscopy.
- Practical experience with vacuum systems, including ultra-high vacuum systems.
- Experience of programming for data acquisition and analysis (preferably in Python or Julia).
- Experience of computer-aided design (CAD) of components and devices.
- Experience of using and/or writing numerical simulation code.
About Heriot-Watt University
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.
How to Apply
With the formal application through the university portal, candidates should submit a CV and a cover letter explaining their motivation and interest in this project. Candidates should specifically highlight how they meet the essential criteria for the position, which are listed above.
Applications can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on Friday 8th August 2026.
For more information and informal discussions, please contact Dr Christian Brahms (c.brahms@hw.ac.uk).
We especially encourage applications from women and other underrepresented groups in Physics.
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/ .
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. #J-18808-Ljbffr
Postdoctoral Research Associate in Optical Attosecond Science employer: Heriot-Watt University
Contact Detail:
Heriot-Watt University Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Postdoctoral Research Associate in Optical Attosecond Science
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the field of ultrafast nonlinear optics. Attend conferences, workshops, or seminars related to optical science and engage with researchers who are already working in this area. This can help you gain insights into current trends and potentially lead to recommendations.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the specific research being conducted at LUPO and IPaQS. Understanding their recent publications and ongoing projects will allow you to tailor your discussions and demonstrate genuine interest during any interviews or networking opportunities.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your experimental skills by discussing relevant projects you've worked on that align with the job requirements. Be prepared to explain your hands-on experience with ultrafast optical systems and gas-filled hollow-core fibres, as this will be crucial in demonstrating your fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to articulate your research effectively. Practice summarising your work and its implications in a clear and engaging manner, as this will be essential during interviews and presentations. Being able to communicate complex ideas simply can set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Postdoctoral Research Associate in Optical Attosecond Science
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your PhD in physics or engineering, focusing on your specialisation in ultrafast nonlinear optics and any relevant postdoctoral experience. Include specific projects and publications that demonstrate your expertise in the field.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the research conducted by LUPO. Discuss how your skills and experiences align with their focus on nonlinear optics and ultrafast science, and mention any collaborative projects you've been involved in.
Highlight Relevant Experience: When detailing your experience, emphasise your practical skills with ultrafast optical systems, gas-filled hollow-core fibres, and any programming experience you have, particularly in Python or Julia. This will show that you are well-prepared for the technical demands of the position.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since the role requires the ability to articulate research work effectively, include examples of your presentations at conferences or seminars. Mention any experience supervising other researchers, as this demonstrates leadership and teamwork capabilities.
How to prepare for a job interview at Heriot-Watt University
✨Know Your Research Inside Out
Make sure you can discuss your previous research in detail, especially any work related to ultrafast nonlinear optics and spectroscopy. Be prepared to explain your methodologies, findings, and how they relate to the role you're applying for.
✨Demonstrate Team Collaboration Skills
Since the role involves working with a diverse group of international collaborators, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully worked in teams. Highlight any experience supervising students or collaborating on projects.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions that test your theoretical understanding of ultrafast science and practical skills in experimental setups. Brush up on topics like pulse compression, frequency conversion, and the use of gas-filled hollow-core fibres.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
You’ll need to articulate your research effectively, so practice summarising your work clearly and concisely. Be ready to discuss how you've presented at conferences or published papers, as this will demonstrate your ability to communicate complex ideas.
