Research Fellow - Fibre & Systems Group

Electrostatics and fluid dynamics modelling of advanced optical fibre production

The appointment is initially for a 2-year period, with significant potential for further extension dependent upon funding.

You will join our creative and cohesive team bringing your experience in numerical modelling and strong analytical skills to develop blue-sky fabrication processes for a ground-breaking new type of optical fibre. Hollow core optical fibres (HCF) have reached a significant milestone in recent years having achieved losses comparable to those of solid fibre, see for example: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-19910-7 and https://www.osa-opn.org/home/articles/volume_32/march_2021/features/is_nothing_better_than_something/.

Many of these advances have been a collaborative effort between the Hollow Core Fibre (HCF) research group at the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC), University of Southampton, and Lumenisity - a spinout that commercialises HCF cables for low latency data transmission. The ORC has a long history of impactful innovation in optical fibres, from amplifiers that underpin the physical layer of the internet to many of the specialist fibres that exist today. While Lumenisity have recently announced successful trials with BT and Ciena, and has deployed HCF cables for customers worldwide.

In collaboration with Lumenisity we have a project to understand and solve problems related to the control of the fibre structure during production, see: https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.27.020567 . As part of this world leading team, you will develop theoretical methods while working closely with experimental team members who will implement your recommendations. Approaches exploiting electrostatics with the glass, and novel gas pressurisation methods will be modelled and experimentally investigated.

To be successful you will have relevant experience in modelling electrostatic charging fluids and or electrohydrodynamics (also from different fields, e.g. ink jet printers, lubrication systems, etc) along with a PhD in Physics or Engineering or Material Science or Maths or equivalent professional qualifications and experience and a track record of excellence in research.

Experience of fluid mechanics and/or of using computational fluid dynamics software; and/or evidence of developing new physical ideas from theory into models or implementation would be advantageous. You will interact with project partners and produce high-impact publications and results.

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Dr Greg Jasion: g.jasion@soton.ac.uk .

Equality, diversity and Inclusion is central to the ethos in the Zepler Institute. We particularly encourage women, Black, Asian and minority ethnic, 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

Applications for Research Fellow positions will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification. The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon successful completion of the PhD. Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given.

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