Postdoctoral Research Associate in CMOS SPAD array for Underwater LiDAR in Edinburgh

Grade and Salary: Grade 7, £37,694 - £47,389 per annum

FTE and working pattern: Full-time (35hrs per week) Fixed-term (8 months)

Reward and Benefits: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days for all full time staff.

About our Team

The Single-Photon Group at Heriot-Watt have a long–standing track record in researching ground-breaking single‑photon detection, applications in quantum communications and single-photon imaging. Our group has seven laboratories with a total floor area of more than 150 m2, including space within a collaborative facility leveraging the skills and technologies of local EPSRC Quantum Enhance Position Navigation and Timing (QEPNT) Hub, EPSRC Quantum Sensing, Imaging, and Timing (QuSIT) Hub, and EPSRC Integrated Quantum Network (IQN) 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 and shared access to the national network of resources from the Quantum Technology Hub Network.

Purpose of Role

The PDRA will investigate aspects of underwater single-photon imaging, and how to integrate quantum detection technologies in underwater vehicles. In particular, the successful candidate will characterise a number of CMOS SPAD arrays and compare their performance for underwater single-photon LiDAR. The contract is for an initial 8 month period, with a good chance of follow-up funding.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Work with colleagues and line manager to devise and perform experiments, modelling and analysis consistent with the goals of the project.
• Write research reports and publications.
• Analyse and interpret the results of own research and generate original ideas based on outcomes.
• Prepare proposals and applications to external bodies, e.g. for funding purposes.
• Use initiative and creativity to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.
• 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.
• 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.
• Build internal contacts and participate in internal networks for the exchange of information and to form relationships for future collaboration.
• Join external networks to share information and identify potential sources of funds.
• Provide guidance as required to support staff, research students and any other students who may be assisting with the research.
• Contribute, under supervision, to the planning of research projects, including the development of new grant/contract proposals.

We are looking for a creative and highly motivated researcher willing to work as part of a team. The ideal candidate will have a strong theoretical understanding and an experimental background in semiconductor optoelectronics or closely related field. Good communication skills and an appropriate publication record are essential.

Person Specification

These are the criteria on which the short-listing and recruitment selection will be made.

• Possess and maintain sufficient breadth or depth of specialist discipline knowledge in imaging and or research methods and techniques to work in the area of imaging using single-photon techniques.
• 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.)
• Strong theoretical understanding and thorough grounding in experimental techniques relevant to the project.
• Ability to articulate research work, both in technical reports/papers and by oral presentation.
• 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.
• Comfortable with working with industrial partners.
• Experience with CMOS single-photon avalanche diode detector arrays.
• Working knowledge of free-space optics, optical instrumentation, and practical optical design.
• Experience of programming for data acquisition (e.g. MATLAB, Python, C/C++), analysis of data, and interfacing with multiple parts of equipment.
• Ability to formulate and progress work on their own initiative.
• Experience in writing and managing peer-reviewed papers.
• Hands-on experimental work experience.
• Energy and enthusiasm for the project.

• Experience with imaging systems.
• Experience in industry or collaborating with industry.
• Experience with underwater systems.
• Experience of research-student supervision.
• Experience with CAD software.

How to Apply

Please submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing your interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV. Applications can be submitted until 23:55 on Tuesday 4th July 2026.

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.

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.