Postdoctoral Research Associate in Spin-Optomechanical Systems in Silicon Carbide

Role: Postdoctoral Research Associate in Spin-Optomechanical Systems in Silicon Carbide

Directorate: School of Engineering and Physical Sciences  

Contract Type: Full Time (1FTE), Fixed Term (2 years + potential for 1 year extension)

Grade: Grade 7 - £37,694 - £47,389

Rewards and Benefits: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days for all full time staff (Part time workers should pro rata this by their FTE). 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 

Role Description

We are seeking to recruit a postdoctoral research associate to undertake research in a newly-funded EPSRC New Investigator Award project, entitled " Spin-Optomechanics in Silicon Carbide for Quantum Technologies”. The goal of this project is to develop whispering-gallery-mode optomechanical cavities in the silicon-carbide-on-insulator platform with a solid-state defect colour centre coupled to its optical mode. This system will be used to demonstrate tuning of the colour centre’s optical emission through optomechanical control. The candidate will be expected to engage in the full device design lifecycle, from design and development as the basis for fabricating the device in the Heriot-Watt cleanroom, to measuring and benchmarking the system’s performance.  

This project is the start of an exciting new research direction in a research environment which provides both the focus and flexibility of a small research team, and the support and exposure to a breadth of research topics brought by our association with the Quantum Photonics Laboratory at Heriot-Watt.  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 below. 

For more information and informal discussions, please contact Dr Christiaan Bekker (c.bekker@hw.ac.uk). 

We especially encourage applications from women and other underrepresented groups in Physics/Engineering, and are willing to discuss flexible working options (including part-time and job share), if relevant to your situation. 

About Our Team

The candidate to this position will work within the Quantum Photonics Laboratory within Heriot-Watt’s Institute for Photonics and Quantum Sciences. This lab consists of six group leaders with several state-of-the-art laboratories for quantum optics and high-resolution laser spectroscopy and facilities for the fabrication and characterisation of novel optoelectronic / quantum devices. We conduct measurements of quantum emitters at room and cryogenic temperatures, radio-frequency control of electronic/nuclear spins, and development of microdevices through photolithographic patterning and etching/deposition techniques with nanoscale resolution. 

Within the Quantum Photonics Laboratory, the candidate will work under the supervision of Dr Christiaan Bekker and interact closely with a smaller team specialising in silicon carbide-based quantum devices, including the group of Prof Cristian Bonato. They will have ownership of their own project (including PhD/undergraduate student supervision), developing a new research stream within the group.  

Key Duties and Responsibilities  

The Candidate Will:

• lead the development, fabrication and benchmarking of on-chip optomechanical cavities including process development in the Heriot-Watt cleanroom and with industrial partners. 
• build the experimental setup and carry out measurements to characterise the fabricated devices, including developing fibre coupling solutions. These will initially be room temperature measurements, but will move to cryogenic temperatures towards the end of the project. 
• be driven by curiosity, not afraid to ask challenging questions and able to devise creative solutions. 
• have the ability to conduct research independently and take ownership of a project. 
• work well individually and with a team, including group members and external collaborators. The candidate will maintain research relationships with national and international partners of the project, and have the opportunity. 
• assist in the development of student research skills and supervision of PhD and undergraduate project students.  
• participate in the usual activities pursuant to a healthy academic environment, including  
• writing and disseminating research in publications and reports,  
• developing their own or joint research ideas/proposals based on interest, including identifying potential sources of funding and shaping their own professional network for the next steps of their career, 
• presenting at national and international conferences,  
• participating and presenting in regular group meetings and departmental seminars,  
• engaging in outreach and public engagement activities, and 
• performing demonstration duties in undergraduate physics classes, as required.  
• This position provides the candidate an opportunity to work at the intersection of device design at the microscale and cutting-edge quantum engineering. Full support and training will be given in any skills the candidate needs to carry out the project effectively, including microfabrication onboarding, lab set up and cryogenics, expanded programming skills and finite element modelling simulations. 

Education, Qualifications and Experience   

Essential Criteria

• A PhD (or equivalent experience) in physics, materials science, electrical engineering or related subjects; or expected to be awarded a PhD soon. 
• Extensive background in a field of semiconductor microfabrication including skills in e.g. photolithography/EBL, wet/dry etching, PVD, SEM.  
• Knowledge of experimental optical systems, including fibre-based or free space setups. 
• Experience writing and managing peer-reviewed publications. 
• Ability to formulate and progress work on their own initiative.  

Desirable Criteria

• Exposure to fabrication and measurement of integrated photonic circuits or microcavities is especially desirable. 
• Experience running optical experiments in cryogenic environments. 
• Experience supervising research students. 
• Programming skills for experimental settings (e.g. data acquisition and analysis, device modelling) 
• Experience carrying out device simulations in FEM or FDTD software e.g. COMSOL, Lumerical. 
• Demonstrated desire to become a well-rounded academic, including a vision for the role beyond the direct project e.g. engagement with the local community, contributing to undergraduate student experience, fostering a positive research culture in the group/institute. 

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

Please submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing their interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV.  

Applications must be submitted by midnight on  Friday 17th October 2025.

For more information and informal discussions, please contact Dr Christiaan Bekker (c.bekker@hw.ac.uk). 

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/  

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.