Research Associate in NanoPhotonics

Applications are invited for a 12 months experimental researcher post available from September 2024, within the ERC funded PICOFORCE project on extreme light confinement.

You will be part of the NanoPhotonics group, which looks at nanoscale assembly and nanophotonics interactions. You will develop novel self-assembled plasmonic nanocavities to study the electrical-driving and light emission of single and few interacting emitters for quantum technologies. For recent work see https://www.np.phy.cam.ac.uk.

Project: Colloidal Quantum Emitters for mid-infrared Plasmonics

This project aims to create robust high performance extreme nanocavities in which mid-infrared light can be upconverted to the visible. They will continue our work building nanoscale assembly with colloidal quantum dots and plasmonic confinement from colloidal-assembly nanoparticle gaps in the strong coupling regime.

This research will require strong knowledge and experience of nanoscale optics, colloidal quantum dot growth and assembly, and plasmonic and ultrafast spectroscopies. We, therefore, welcome applications with aligned scientific backgrounds. Some experience in Raman scattering, self-assembled monolayers and attachment, plasmonic self-assembly, and quantum emitters would be advantageous.

Job requirements: you will have a strong physics or chemistry PhD or a related discipline, with experience in optical measurements on the nanoscale and chemistry of nano-assembly and nano-systems. In addition to proven experimental skills, you should, ideally, have experience in working across disciplinary boundaries. They should expect to be involved in both growth of colloidal dots, and advanced ultrafast optical spectroscopy as well as a variety of chemical sample preparations or synthesis. Experience in the field of plasmonics or metamaterials or soft materials would be helpful, as well as with surface-enhanced Raman scattering.

The UK NanoPhotonics Centre (http://www.np.phy.cam.ac.uk) collaborates widely across the University of Cambridge including the Departments of Chemistry, Engineering, Physics of Medicine, Cancer Research UK, Chemical Engineering, Materials as well as many international partners, industry, with several major EU programmes. Recent publications can be seen on our website (above). Prof JJ Baumberg, FRS, is an acknowledged leader in discovering and assembling nanomaterials for novel photonics.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 12 months in the first instance.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a health assessment.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click on the ‘Apply’ button above.

Informal enquires may be addressed to Prof Jeremy Baumberg (jjb12@cam.ac.uk)

Please quote reference KA42404 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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