Research Fellow in Thermal Nanophotonics and Metasurfaces (ERC Advanced Grant) in London

The Photonic Innovations Lab (pi-lab) at UCL's Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering is seeking an exceptional postdoctoral researcher to join a flagship ERC Advanced Grant project led by Prof. Ioannis Papakonstantinou. This is a rare opportunity to work at the frontier of thermal nanophotonics, a field poised to transform how humanity manages one of its most abundant yet underutilised energy resources: heat radiation.

Thermal radiation is ubiquitous, but its incoherent, broadband nature makes it extraordinarily difficult to control. Achieving independent, precise manipulation of its spectral, polarisation, phase, spatial and angular properties would unlock transformative advances in sustainability, renewable energy, infrared sensing and imaging, agriculture, biomedical devices and beyond. Our project sets out to do exactly that.

As a core member of our vibrant, multidisciplinary team consisting of electronic engineers, physicists, materials scientists, computer scientists, chemists, mechanical and system engineers you will:

• Design next-generation infrared nanophotonic technologies and metasurfaces using UCL's state-of-the-art supercomputing facilities, employing advanced forward and inverse optimisation algorithms including machine learning.
• Fabricate optimised structures using world-class cleanroom facilities at the London Centre for Nanotechnology.
• Characterise and validate designs through rigorous optical and thermal experiments in our purpose built laboratories.
• Integrate developed structures into completed devices tailored to specific high-impact applications.
• Disseminate your findings through publishing in leading journals, presenting at major international conferences and contributing to patent generation and technology commercialisation activities.
• Contribute to the preparation and drafting of research bids and proposals.
• Take the lead in drafting the regular reports on research progress.
• Contribute to the training and direction of other research staff and students as requested.

We understand that no candidate will tick every box, and we don't expect them to. What matters most to us is exceptional talent, intellectual curiosity, and the drive to push boundaries. If this opportunity excites you, we encourage you to apply.

The post is available for 24 months in the first instance. Further funding to support the post may be available.

Applicants should have a PhD (awarded or imminent) in a relevant area of photonics, optics, or applied physics/engineering. Relevant areas include (but not limited to) metasurfaces/metamaterials, thermophotonics, radiative cooling, photonic crystals, plasmonics, disordered photonics, light scattering in turbid media, multilayer thin-films, topological photonics, vectorial optics, quantum photonics, or similar.

You should have a deep understanding of electromagnetic theory and light–matter interactions, as well as experience with forward and inverse photonic design optimisation, ideally incorporating machine learning. The successful candidate will be proficient in one or more photonic computational methods: FDTD, FEM, BEM, RCWA, T-matrix, Monte Carlo, or equivalent. They will have strong optical experimental characterisation skills (e.g. FTIR, spectroscopic ellipsometry, angularly/spatially/temporal resolved measurements).

Knowledge of heat transport and non-equilibrium radiative transfer phenomena is desirable, as well as cleanroom nanofabrication and nanostructure characterisation experience (e-beam lithography, FIB, RIE, nanoimprint, two-photon polymerisation, SEM/TEM/AFM).

If the successful candidate has not yet been awarded their PhD, appointment will be made as a Research Assistant (Grade 6B). Payment at Grade 7 will be backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis including corrections, once the PhD has been awarded.

To apply for the role, click the 'Apply Now' button at the bottom or top of the page. Applications close on 11th August at 23:59.

A job description and person specification can be accessed at the bottom of this page. Informal enquiries regarding this post can be addressed to Prof Ioannis Papakonstantinou. For questions regarding the application process please contact Rebecca Thomas.

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays and 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Relocation scheme for certain posts
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance

Work on one of the most ambitious and well-funded thermophotonic programmes in Europe, backed by an ERC Advanced Grant. Access to world-class research infrastructure: UCL supercomputing, the London Centre for Nanotechnology cleanrooms, and advanced optical labs. Be part of a genuinely interdisciplinary team in one of the world's top universities, ranked consistently among the global top 10. A collaborative, inclusive, and intellectually stimulating environment with strong connections to industry and international partners. Clear pathways for career development, IP creation, and entrepreneurship. Located in the heart of London, one of the world's great cities for science, culture, and opportunity.

As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women. Our department holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality.