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Digital harmony: discovering new photonic effects by confining photons, electrons and magnetism at the nanoscale

Applications are invited for a Research Associate to join the Centre for Photonics and Photonic Materials carrying out research into novel light-matter interactions at the nanoscale.

You will drive forward the goals of research projects that exploit the unique photonic properties of chiral nanomaterials and metamaterials (e.g. plasmonic, semiconducting, dielectric, and hybrid nanostructures). You will carry out experiments with ultrafast laser sources, devise methods to build robust optical rigs for nonlinear spectroscopy, and collaborate with researchers using your rigs to discover new light scattering effects. In addition, you will contribute to theoretical work, write up and disseminate results, and liaise with other project partners to build up a competitive publication record. You will also have the opportunity for supervising the research of graduate students, as well as develop new avenues of research in our cutting-edge laboratories.

Scientists in our team aim at developing strong experimental skills. Working in our state-of-the-art photonics cleanroom, you will use a variety of our advanced laser systems and photonic characterization techniques. You will formulate scientific questions and answering them by building optical experiments. You will have the chance to program robotic experimental rigs and to conduct numerical simulations using a commercial Maxwell equation solver. You will be guiding junior PhD students. Overall, you will grow towards an independent scientist with a balanced professional skills set.

Our group has pioneered ways to weave light around metal nanostructures, producing enormous interactions between electrons and photons. In January 2019, we were first to demonstrate a new physical effect that had been predicted over 40 years ago. The discovery opened the door to a previously unexplored area of science and this project aims to take us beyond the door threshold. It involves shining powerful laser light to illuminate twisted (“chiral”) nanostructures and measuring their colour changing properties (second and third harmonic generation). The goal is to produce the most sensitive method to detect the twist (chirality) in nanostructures and molecules, which could have a huge impact on manufacturing healthier and safer pharmaceuticals (many of them are chiral).

The successful candidate will hold (or be close to obtaining) a doctorate in physics or related field with excellent laboratory skills, applicable in optics or laser physics. The postholder will develop as an independent experimental scientist and will be encouraged to network; for instance at scientific conferences or by research visits. Our research group is engaged in numerous outreach activities, such as visits to schools and participation in science festivals. An interest in communicating science to the public, robotics or digital art would be an advantage. Experience in nonlinear optics and/or chirality will also be an advantage.

Further information:

This position is offered for a fixed-term period until September 2025.

Informal enquiries should be directed to Prof Ventsislav Valev ([email protected]; www.valev.org), however, please submit your application via the University website.

References:

[1] Third harmonic Mie scattering from semiconductor nanohelices, L. Ohnoutek, et al. Nat. Photonics 16, 126-133 (2022).
[2] Optical activity in third-harmonic Rayleigh scattering: a new route for measuring chirality, L. Ohnoutek, et al. Laser. Photonics. Rev. 12, 2100235 (2021).
[3] Single Nanoparticle Chiroptics in a Liquid: Optical Activity in Hyper-Rayleigh Scattering from Au Helicoids, L. Ohnoutek, et al. Nano Lett. 20, 5792–5798 (2020).
[4] First Observation of Optical Activity in Hyper-Rayleigh Scattering, J.T. Collins, et al. Phys Rev. X 9, 011024 (2019).

What we can offer you:

• a very generous employer contributory pension scheme
• generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
• we are a family-friendly University and with an increasingly agile workforce, are open to flexible working arrangements
• an excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
• a wide range of personal and professional development opportunities
• a number of support options available for new and existing staff to help with the cost of some immigration expenses which you may be eligible for: Relocation allowance, Visa Reimbursement, Interest-Free Loan.

We aim to be an inclusive university, where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students, so we encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on our teams.

We are very proud to be an autism friendly university and are an accredited Disability Confident Leader; committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.

Find out from our staff what makes the University of Bath a great place to work. Follow us @UniofBath and @UniofBathJobs on Twitter for more information.