Research Associate in Complex Photonics

Role: Research Associate in Complex Photonics

Contract Type: Full time (35 hours per week), Fixed term for 12 months

Grade and Salary: Grade 7 - £37,694 - £47,389 per annum

Holiday Entitlement: 33 days annual leave plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday)

Detailed Description 

The appointed individual will work on the development of technologies for non-mechanical beam steering, developing systems that may integrate complex 3D waveguide circuits fabricated using ultrafast laser microfabrication techniques. The post will also explore the testing of complete non-mechanical beam steering systems once these systems reach an appropriate stage of development. 

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The post holder is required to; 

• Write research reports and publications. Analyse and interpret the results of own research and contribute to the generation of original ideas bases on outcomes. 
• Be a creative and highly motivated researcher willing to work as part of a team.  
• Good communication skills and an appropriate publication record are essential. A working knowledge of guided wave optics and photonic instruments are essential. 
• General tasks will involve scientific research; analysis and interpretation of data; preparation of scientific papers; presentation of research at conferences. 
• Responsibilities will also include assistance in the day-to-day maintenance of the experimental facilities, liaising with companies and external collaborators.  

 Education, Qualifications and Experience:  

Essential Criteria 

1. Possess and maintain sufficient breadth or depth of specialist discipline knowledge and or research methods and techniques to work in own area. 
2. Hold a PhD — or have passed the PhD viva with minor corrections — in a relevant area of Physics or Electrical Engineering or related subject. 
3. Appropriate publication record for stage in career. 
4. Experience with guided wave optics applied to research in a relevant discipline. 
5. Must have proven academic ability and a demonstrable high level of technical competence in experimental science and the analysis / modelling of the results.  
6. Strong theoretical understanding and thorough grounding in experimental techniques relevant to the project. 
7. Ability to articulate research work, both in technical reports / papers and by oral presentation 
8. Ability to formulate and progress work on their own initiative. 
9. Evidence of research ability: problem solving, flexibility 
10. Must be able to work as part of a team on the experiments at Heriot-Watt and more widely with the collaborators at other Universities and companies. 
11. Experience in public presentations of scientific results (e.g. conference talks) 

Desirable Criteria 

1. Previous experience with one or more of the following: ultrafast laser microfabrication, optical waveguides. 
2. Experience in leading the writing of scientific papers. 
3. Experience of programming for data acquisition. 
4. Experience of experimental design and integration. 
5. Capability to be self-directed and think innovatively. 
6. Energy and enthusiasm for the project. 

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on Monday 12th October 2026.

Please submit your CV via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system. 

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/.

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.

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.