Research Associate

Role: Research Associate in Developing a Commercial Prototype Quantum Microscope

Grade and Salary: Grade 7, £37,694 - £47,389 per annum FTE and working pattern: 1FTE, 35hrs per week, Monday – Friday

Contract: 12 Months FTC

Holiday Entitlement: 33 days annual leave + 9 building closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday)

Purpose of Role

We seek a talented and motivated scientist/engineer with interest in founding a start‑up to lead quantum sensor prototyping and market research. The primary objective of this project is to design and develop an industrial‑grade quantum sensing microscope prototype featuring ultra‑precise sensor positioning technology. This advanced system will enable high‑throughput nanoscale chemical and material analysis with unprecedented accuracy, addressing critical needs in sectors such as semiconductors, biotechnology, and advanced materials. A key aspect of the role involves conducting comprehensive market research to identify high‑value application areas for the prototype. The successful candidate will collaborate with partners and consultants to refine and optimise the design in real industrial environments, ensuring the technology is both technically robust and commercially viable. This is a one‑year funded project, during which securing additional commercialisation funding will be essential to support potential company incorporation and future growth. Therefore, we seek an applicant who demonstrates strong motivation and commitment to the commercialisation of quantum technologies, alongside technical excellence and innovative thinking.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Propose, develop and build an industrial quantum microscope prototype.
• Actively collaborate with partners, consultants and potential customers for co‑creation of the prototype.
• Protect intellectual property with a view to develop near‑term and future market applications.
• Prototype building; analysis and interpretation of data; communication with other investigators; preparation of business documents (business plan, pitch deck, market analysis report).
• Attend conferences and network events; conduct scientific research.
• Meet planned milestones and deliverables.
• Report progress regularly to supervisors and partners, both verbally and in written reports.
• Keep clear written records of work done, store data in accessible formats according to a system agreed with the project supervisor.
• Maintain and develop collaborations with internal and external partners in the field, with an open and collaborative spirit.
• Conduct market research and engage with potential customers.
• Attend group and project meetings, communicate progress on a regular basis, deliver presentations to project collaborators and the wider research community.
• Write high‑quality research papers in English for the scientific literature and business reports.
• Write a business proposal and develop a pitch deck based on conducted market research, supported by a commercial champion.
• Understand the intellectual property landscape relevant to the project and seek to protect the methods and techniques developed during the project.
• Lead prototyping and market research activities.
• Assist in day‑to‑day maintenance of experimental facilities, liaising with companies and external collaborators.
• Build internal contacts and participate in internal networks for the exchange of information and to form relationships for future collaboration.
• Share information and identify potential sources of funds through external networks.
• Engage in outreach activities, including interviews, public talks and preparation of experimental demonstrators.

Education, Qualifications and Experience

Essential Criteria:

• A PhD in physics, electrical engineering or related subjects (or expected to be awarded a PhD soon).
• A sound grasp of photonics, quantum mechanics, qubit control.
• A demonstrated track‑record (during a PhD degree or post‑doctoral research) of: construction and operation of optical and/or microwave set‑ups; experimental work on quantum technology, preferably with solid‑state qubits at cryogenic temperature; development of physical models to understand experimental data; primary author contributions to peer‑reviewed journals.
• Experience of programming (C++ or Python or MATLAB) for data acquisition and analysis.
• Record of high‑quality publications, and evidence of contribution to the writing of these publications proportionate to opportunity.
• Ability to articulate research work, both in technical reports/papers and by oral presentation.
• Ability to formulate and progress work on their own initiative.
• Evidence of research ability: problem solving, flexibility.
• Must be able to work as part of a team on the experiments at Heriot‑Watt and more widely with collaborators at other Universities.
• Experience in translating research into practical applications; familiarity with technology commercialisation, IP, and start‑up environments; proactive mindset with problem‑solving and initiative.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams and engage with academic and industrial stakeholders.
• Capability to be self‑directed and think innovatively.
• Experience in public presentations of scientific results (e.g. conference talks).
• Motivation, energy and enthusiasm for commercialization of deep technology.

Desirable Criteria:

• Good understanding of spin control and/or NMR/EPR techniques.
• Some expertise in nanofabrication, e.g. for fabricating diamond membranes.
• Experience in leading the writing of scientific papers.
• Evidence of ability, subject to opportunity, to guide other researchers (e.g. PhD students and undergraduate project students).

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on Thursday 19th February 2026. Informal enquiries may be made to Prof Samer Kurdi. Please submit your CV & covering letter via the Heriot‑Watt online recruitment.

Equality and Diversity

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 under‑represented groups.

About our Team

We offer a post‑doctoral position related to commercialising a quantum sensor. The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team at Heriot‑Watt University focused on translating cutting‑edge quantum research into real‑world applications. Our group conducts cutting‑edge research towards quantum technologies based on single photons and single spins, at the interface between quantum optics and condensed‑matter physics. Our work focuses on different material platforms, from III‑V quantum dots to atomic monolayers ‘beyond graphene’, to diamond and silicon carbide. We have recently initiated a new research direction towards using individual spins in diamond as very sensitive magnetic probes for probing spin and charge transport in quantum materials. The team manages state‑of‑the‑art laboratories for quantum sensing, quantum optics and high‑resolution laser spectroscopy of quantum emitters at room and cryogenic temperatures, radio‑frequency control of electronic/nuclear spins, facilities for the fabrication and characterisation of novel optoelectronic / quantum devices.

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.