Research Associate in Strong Light-Matter Coupling

Research Associate in Strong Light-Matter Coupling

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We seek a physicist with expertise in strong light-matter coupling to join a diverse team of researchers working on a dynamic multi-partner research project. The aim of our £7.3 M EPSRC Programme Grant "Molecular Photonic Breadboards" is to develop sustainable photonic materials for use in consumer electronics, solar energy capture and other applications that enable efficient long-range transport of excitation. To achieve this, we are developing a radical new approach to the design of molecular photonic materials, that could extend excitation transfer distances from nm to cm, based on the construction of programmable molecular photonic breadboards,a modular approach to the design of photonic materials that is inspired by natural photosynthetic membranes.

Based in Professor David Lidzey's laboratory, your role will be to work in collaboration with researchers in Sheffield to develop an understanding of how the molecular architectures of the biologically-inspired materials can be programmed to regulate light-matter coupling, and to optimise excitation transfer. You will make spectroscopic measurements, investigating coupling of silicon nitride resonators and cavity modes to excitons in our molecular photonic breadboards.

You will measure the angle-resolved dispersions of coupled modes, and model the data using coupled oscillator models and FDTD methods. Working with collaborators, you will help to develop new materials designed to achieve efficient, long-range transfer of excitation.

• Design, develop and refine experiments in order to obtain reliable data.

• Carry out research, including both experimental measurements and simple modelling of data.

• Interact effectively with other members of the project team, sharing data and expertise and working together to reach project objectives.

• Supervise research team/activities if required.

• Read academic papers, journals and textbooks and attend conferences to keep abreast of developments.

• Prepare papers for journals/presentations either in-house or at national/international conferences or seminars to disseminate research findings.

• If given a particular hypothesis to examine, plan for own contribution up to 3 months ahead, incorporating issues such as the availability of resources, deadlines, project milestones and overall research aims. Design individual experiments weekly.

• Continuously monitor and check results. The unpredictability of research means that daily planning is required to accommodate new developments.

• Plan several months in advance to meet deadlines for journal publications and to prepare presentations and papers for conferences.

• As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.

• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

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