Postdoctoral Research Associate in Satellite Quantum Communication

Contract: Full Time (1FTE), Fixed Term (36 Months)

Detailed Description

The Edinburgh Mostly Quantum Lab seeks a talented and motivated scientist for carrying out experiments and field tests for entanglement-based quantum communication with satellites via the Quantum Communications Hub’s optical ground station (HOGS) located on Heriot-Watt campus. The primary goals of the project are to:

• Develop rugged high-quality entangled photon sources for satellite uplink scenarios
• Develop uplink infrastructure for the Hub Optical Ground Station telescope on Heriot-Watt campus
• Conduct field tests and international quantum key distribution via HOGS to the Canadian QEYSSat satellite mission

The project is expected to lead to technological progress and high-impact scientific publications in quantum light source development and intercontinental satellite quantum communication.  The work will be conducted in the framework of a recently funded 3-year EPSRC project. It will be carried out under the supervision of Prof Alessandro Fedrizzi, who is the principal investigator of the project, and co-supervision by Ross Donaldson.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

1. Develop a modular high-brightness entangled photon source compatible with the HOGS satellite quantum communication facility.
2. Develop uplink capabilities for the optical ground station, including point-ahead tracking and polarisation control.
3. Conduct field tests for quantum communication with a receiver satellite in a low-earth orbit.
4. Carry out other general tasks involved in scientific research as analysis and interpretation of data, and daily oversight of the activities of postgraduate and undergraduate project students in the laboratory.
5. Collaborate with partners within the project and others as appropriate
6. The post holder will join the Edinburgh Mostly Quantum Lab and will be expected to work collaboratively and cooperatively in a team environment; this involves shared use of laboratory equipment (therefore effective communication between group members is essential).
7. Assist the development of student research skills and contribute to the assessment of student knowledge in the context of teaching and supervision duties.
8. Maintain and develop collaborations with internal and external partners in the field.

Education, Qualifications and Experience

Essential Criteria

• A PhD in physics, electrical engineering, or other relevant subjects. Candidates must have submitted their doctoral thesis before starting in post.
• The ideal candidate will have a strong experimental background in one or more of the following fields: experimental quantum photonics, quantum communications.
• A record of high-quality publications, relative to opportunity, in the above-mentioned fields.
• Commitment to adopting principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace

For all criteria, further details and how to apply:

enzj.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX/job/4061/?utm_medium=jobshare

Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.

Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our university community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers disc.hw.ac.uk.

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