Senior Research Fellow

The Hollow Core Fibre Group at the University of Southampton is seeking a dynamic and highly motivated Senior Research Fellow to join us in creating the future of optical fibre. Our research group is renowned for its contributions to hollow core fibre (HCF) technology, and this project represents a unique opportunity to help shape the field, by developing novel HCFs for the next generation of ultra-precision interferometers.

Project Overview: The successful candidate will join a vibrant team working to develop hollow core antiresonant fibres and deploy them, through partnership with industrial collaborators, as ultra-low-noise reference cavities.  The project mission is to realize the great promise of HCF technology by simultaneously delivering low-loss, environmental noise immunity, and freedom from non-linearity, in tightly wound HCF coils.  Working in collaboration with experts in HCF modelling and characterisation, you will lead a team developing new tools and techniques in HCF fabrication to create this new generation of fibres capable of pushing the performance envelope. Through close partnership with our industrial collaborators, the knowledge created by your research will find immediate application in state-of-the-art advanced interferometric sensors.

Key Features of the Position:

• World-Class Research Environment: You will be based at the University of Southampton, a research-led institution ranked in the top 1% of world universities. The project will take place within the renowned Optoelectronics Research Centre, where many of today's specialty optical fibre technologies were first developed.
• Cutting-Edge Technology: You will join a team at the forefront of optical fibre technology, within a thriving research group with strong industry connections.
• Exploration & Balance: This position is a balance of hands-on fibre fabrication with the exploration of new techniques for the fabrication, characterisation, and analysis of HCFs.  New ideas and perspectives welcome!
• Growth Opportunity: Through this position you will grow your research leadership and build a team from within the supportive environment of a large cross-disciplinary research group studying all aspects of hollow-core fibres.

Essential Skills & Experience:

• PhD or equivalent qualification
• A strong portfolio of published research in the fabrication and application of novel optical fibres
• Significant hands-on experience in fabricating optical fibres
• Demonstrated lab proficiency, with experience in test and characterisation of optical fibres or fibre-optic components
• Experience leading or supervising others in a research project or team

Desirable Skills & Experience:

• Experience in the fabrication of hollow core optical fibres, especially antiresonant fibres
• Experience developing software for test and measurement automation
• Knowledge of interferometry, ideally with experience deploying optical fibres in precision scientific interferometers

This role offers an exceptional opportunity for learning, pushing the boundaries of hollow core fibre technology, and contributing to the advancement of the field. If you are an ambitious and accomplished researcher with a passion for fibre-optics and the drive to make a tangible impact, we encourage you to apply.

As a university we aim to create an environment where everyone can thrive and are proactive in fostering a culture of inclusion, respect and equality of opportunity. We believe that we can only truly meet our objectives if we are reflective of society, so we are passionate about creating a working environment in which you are free to bring your whole self to work.

To informally discuss this position, please contact Dr. Austin Taranta, a.a.taranta@soton.ac.uk

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