Research Assistant​/Associate

The post arises from a collaboration funded by the ERC Advanced grant “Light interaction with synthetically moving metamaterials - LUMINOUS” and the UKRI Programme Grant “Next Generation Metamaterials: exploiting four dimensions – META4D” with the objective of advancing our understanding of temporal metamaterials and materials with synthetic motion. The successful applicant will be expected to work with Professor Riccardo Sapienza in London and our experimental collaborators to develop experiments in the field of metamaterials and perform advanced temporal spectroscopy of dispersive time-varying metamaterials.

You will carry out research programmes in photonic metamaterials, nanophotonics, ultrafast spectroscopy and time-resolved measurements, undertake project management and/or supervise multi-disciplinary teams. We are looking for expertise in experimental spectroscopy and in particular time-resolved measurement of ultrafast light.

This role is mostly experimental with some theory aspects. You will design and implement advanced time-resolved experiments involving home-built ultrafast laser spectroscopy, and will manage a 10 fs laser setup and generate structural light from it.

You will work collaboratively within the team at Imperial College.

You will hold a PhD in Physics (or a closely related quantitative discipline) and have an outstanding record of research achievement. We are particularly interested in candidates with exceptional experimental skills, demonstrated through the development of novel time-resolved measurements with fs resolution, advanced data-analysis methodologies, and experience with time-varying metamaterials.

The ideal candidate will be intellectually ambitious, highly self-motivated and excited by the prospect of working at the boundary between metamaterials and ultrafast laser physics.

• The opportunity to contribute to a pioneering research programme aimed at establishing synthetic motion as a new paradigm for spatio-temporal metamaterials.
• Collaboration within a multidisciplinary team involving experimental and theoretical physicists.
• Involvement in publications, conference presentations and future grant applications.
• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and contribute to our mission of “Science for Humanity”.
• Access to Imperial’s sector-leading career support for researchers, as well as opportunities for promotion and progression.
• A sector-leading salary and remuneration package, including 43 days’ leave per year and generous pension schemes.
• A diverse, inclusive and collaborative working culture, with staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.

This is a full-time (35 hours per week), fixed-term role based at our South Kensington Campus.

Attached documents are available under links. Clicking a document link will initialize its download.

Please note that job descriptions are not exhaustive, and you may be asked to take on additional duties that align with the key responsibilities mentioned above.

If you have any general queries about this vacancy, please contact the hiring manager listed in the ‘Further Information’ section. Alternatively, you can contact the Recruitment Hub at r, and we will be happy to assist you.

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