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 future of optical communications.

Project Overview: The successful candidate will join a vibrant team working to develop hollow core antiresonant fibres, in partnership and sponsored by the local Microsoft Azure Fiber.  The project mission is to realise the great promise of HCF technology, by pushing the boundaries of ultralow attenuation, in fibres capable of record-high data transmission capacities.  Working in collaboration with experts in HCF modelling and characterisation, you will join a team developing new tools and techniques in HCF fabrication to create a new generation of fibres capable of pushing the performance envelope. Through close partnership with our industrial collaborator, the knowledge created by your research will find immediate application in state-of-the-art advanced optical cables for data transmission.

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 industrial 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 are welcome.
• Growth Opportunity: Through this position you will grow your research leadership and contribute to 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 of optical components, devices and/or fibres
• Significant hands-on experience in fabricating optical devices, preferably optical fibres, operating in a cleanroom environment
• Demonstrated lab proficiency, with experience in test and characterisation of optical 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 in characterisation of optical fibres or fibre-optic components
• Experience with the use of glass working or MCVD lathe

This 3 year position 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.

We recognise that we are looking for a specific skill set for this position.  For an informal discussion about pay and benefits, please contact Prof Francesco Poletti - fp@soton.ac.uk

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