Postdoctoral Research Associate in Ultrafast Quantum-Enabled Immune Screening

Role

Title:

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Ultrafast Quantum-Enabled Immune Screening

Grade and Salary:Grade 7 - £38,448 - £48,337 per annum

FTE and working pattern:Full Time (1

FTE), Fixed term for 24 months

Reward and Benefits:33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days for all full time staff.

The Quantum Photonics Laboratory (QPL) at Heriot‑Watt University undertakes research across solid‑state photonics and quantum technologies, engineering coherent light‑matter interactions in advanced quantum structures and devices. QPL (c. 20 members; 7 academic leads: Dr Mzyk, Prof Bonato, Dr Kurdi, Prof Gerardot, Dr Mazzera, Dr Brotons i Gisbert, Dr Bekker) works with platforms including wide‑bandgap defects (e.g. diamond, SiC), 2D materials, III–V quantum dots, and rare‑earth doped crystals.

We operate well‑equipped laboratories for quantum optics and high‑resolution laser spectroscopy at room and cryogenic temperatures, with RF control of electronic/nuclear spins and facilities for quantum‑device fabrication. QPL collaborates widely across HWU, the UK and internationally, and contributes to several UK quantum hubs, including Q-BIOMED, which targets spin‑based quantum sensors for biomedical research and early disease detection.

This position is in the joint project between two QPL research groups:
Quantum Bio‑Imaging Group
, led by Dr Aldona Mzyk that focuses on developing quantum bio‑imaging tools to study metabolic plasticity from single cells to whole organisms, aiming to translate quantum sensing into pharma R&D and clinical diagnostics and Spin‑QTech Team
, led by Prof. Cristian Bonato that focuses on engineering novel AI-optimized spin-based quantum sensors.

We seek a talented, motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to develop a multimodal quantum sensing microscope, integrating NV based quantum sensing with other imaging modalities and to validate it on biological samples in collaboration with other team members, academic and industrial partners.

The project is expected to generate high impact publications and underpin integrated quantum sensing devices for biomedical applications. The post offers technical training, secondment opportunities with company and academic collaborators, and a tailored career development plan.

• Develop a multimodal quantum sensing microscope.
• Develop and validate quantum‑sensing protocols (optical/spin readout) and apply them to biological samples.
• Design experiments, acquire and analyse data, perform modelling/simulation as required.
• Contribute to IP generation and translational pathways.
• Collaborate effectively across the QPL and with external partners, share laboratory equipment responsibly.
• Supervise and mentor PhD and undergraduate researchers in daily lab activities.
• Disseminate results via high‑quality publications and conference presentations, present progress in group and project meetings.
• Maintain high standards of record‑keeping, data management and research integrity.
• Support lab operations (maintenance, vendor liaison) and contribute to outreach (talks, demos, public engagement).
• Contribute to the wider activities of the Quantum Bio‑Imaging Group, QPL, Q-BIOMED Hub.

Essential Criteria