PDRA in Adaptive Optics

The Role

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position in the Adaptive Optics group in Durham. The role will be focused on the development and modelling of a hyperspectral pyramid wave-front sensor for extreme adaptive optics. This project is initially funded as part of a UKRI Infrastructure Fund activity towards early R&D for the ELT-PCS instrument. ELT-PCS is the planetary camera and spectrograph for ESO’s 39-m Extremely Large Telescope.

We are building a test-bench to demonstrate a novel hyperspectral WFS based on a pyramid WFS in combination with a Kinetic Inductance Detector. KIDs are energy resolving detectors which, when combined with a Pyramid WFS can enable radically different approaches to wave-front sensing. You will be expected to contribute to the design and development of the test-bench. This will include modelling and characterising the performance of the test bench. All of this will be done as a member of the CfAI AO group where you will join an experienced group of AO scientists and engineers based here in Durham, who will work with you on this exciting new R&D program.

Through this position you will be making a crucial contribution to the development of this research programme. This role will suit someone who wishes to gain practical experience of taking novel research outputs and developing technologies from them to the level where they can be incorporated into cutting edge scientific instruments. You will be expected to work in close collaboration with other members of CfAI as well as our international partners who have a wide range of scientific and engineering backgrounds.

This post is fixed term to coincide with the duration of our existing funding, which will end on 31st March 2026. There is the possibility for extension beyond this period if additional funding can be secured.

The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.

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