Research Fellow - School of Physics and Astronomy - 107159 - Grade 7 in Birmingham

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression once in post to £48,822

Grade: 7

Full Time, Permanent

Closing date: 24th May 2026

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship programme at the School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham. The position is available for up to three years (until May 2029).

The project focuses on nanoscale light-matter interactions, developing nanophotonic and plasmonic devices that enable strong coupling between light and quantum materials, including single emitters, molecules, and two-dimensional materials. The successful candidate will undertake experimental research involving nanofabrication, optical nanocavities, and advanced optical microscopy techniques to probe quantum and molecular systems at the nanoscale.

Role Summary

• Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids
• Operate within area of specialism
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results
• Contribute to generating funding
• Contribute to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar

The project focuses on engineering strong light–matter interactions at the nanoscale by combining nanophotonics, plasmonics, and quantum materials. Recent advances in nanophotonic and plasmonic structures enable optical fields to be confined well below the diffraction limit, dramatically enhancing interactions between light and quantum systems such as molecules, single emitters, and two-dimensional materials. These platforms provide powerful opportunities to explore new regimes of quantum optics, nonlinear optics, and molecular spectroscopy, while enabling new approaches for sensing and quantum technologies.

The successful candidate will contribute to the design, optical microscopy development, and experimental investigation of nanophotonic and nanoplasmonic devices that support strong optical confinement and enhanced light–matter coupling. The research will involve integrating nanoscale optical structures with quantum emitters, molecular systems, and low-dimensional materials, and developing advanced optical microscopy and spectroscopy techniques to probe these interactions at the nanoscale.

The postholder will work within a collaborative research environment and will contribute to developing new experimental capabilities in nanophotonics and quantum optics. The role offers opportunities to work with state-of-the-art instrumentation and to collaborate with national and international partners working in related areas of quantum materials, photonics, and nanoscale spectroscopy.

The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the broader research programme by helping to develop new experimental approaches, publishing high-quality research outputs, presenting results at international conferences, and contributing to the supervision of PhD and undergraduate research students. The role also involves contributing to the wider research activities of the School of Physics and Astronomy.

This position provides an excellent opportunity for a motivated researcher to develop expertise at the intersection of nanophotonics, plasmonics, and quantum optics, while contributing to a high-impact research programme aimed at advancing next-generation photonic and quantum technologies.

Main Duties

• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Analyse and interpret data
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc.
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
• Undertake management/administration arising from research
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Promote equality and value diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Person Specification

• First degree in area of specialism and normally, a higher degree relevant to research area or equivalent qualification.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly

Informal enquiries to Rohit Chikkaraddy, email: r.chikkaraddy@bham.ac.uk

Use of AI in applications: We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.