Research Fellow - Nanophotonics & Metamaterials

You will join our highly interactive, interdisciplinary research team, which specialises in the development and demonstration of new photonic materials and technologies based on the understanding and exploitation of light-matter interactions at the nanoscale.

In this role, supported by major Programme Grant funding from the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, you will undertake research on nanostructured and nano-mechanical metamaterials for telecoms, laser and nanoscale imaging and metrology applications.

It is essential you have a PhD* or equivalent professional qualifications and experience in Physics or another subject relevant to the field of Photonics along with experience in experimental photonics; computational electromagnetics modelling, and the ability to work effectively in a team. You should have a keen interest in studying the physics and demonstrating the applications potential of advanced photonic materials and nanostructures.

Experience in nanophotonics, metamaterials, optomechanics, micro/nano-electro-mechanical systems, super-resolution imaging, or optical metrology research will be advantageous, as will cleanroom nanofabrication skills and experience in the application of machine learning techniques.

Initial appointment will be for 24 months from January 2021 or shortly thereafter due to funding restrictions.

For informal enquiries please write to Prof Nikolay Zheludev, ( niz@orc.soton.ac.uk ) or Prof Kevin MacDonald ( kfm@orc.soton.ac.uk ).

*Applications for Research Fellow positions will be considered from candidates who are nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification. The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon successful completion of the PhD, prior to which the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given.

Equality, diversity and Inclusion is central to the ethos in the Zepler Institute. We particularly encourage women, Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME), LGBT and disabled applicants to apply for this position. We value diversity and inclusion at the University and aspire for our staff population to be broadly representative of our community. In recognition of our continued commitment to improving equality for women in science we were awarded an Athena SWAN Bronze. We gives full consideration to applicants that wish to work flexibly including part-time and due consideration will be given to applicants who have taken a career break. The University has a generous maternity policy*, onsite childcare facilities along with other benefits such as the cycle to work scheme.

The University of Southampton is in the top 1% of world universities and in the top 10 of the UK's research-intensive universities. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and being a globally responsible university and has recently been awarded the Platinum EcoAward. Our vision is to embed the principles of sustainability into all aspects of our individual and collective work, integrating sustainable development into our business planning, policy-making, and professional activities. This commits all of our staff and students to take responsibility for managing their activities to minimise harm to the environment, whether this through switching off non-essential electrical equipment or using the recycling facilities.

*subject to qualifying criteria

We aim to be an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.