Job Purpose

To make a leading contribution to the Quantum Enabled Position Navigation and Timing UK Quantum Technology Hub (https://qepnt.org/) with Dr Ross Millar and Prof Douglas Paul.

The focus of the post is developing back-side illuminated Ge(Sn)-on-Si Single Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPADs) to be integrated with read-out integrated circuits to enable SPAD cameras for LiDAR imaging. Ge(Sn) materials are compatible with Si foundry processing meaning that there is potential to deliver single photon and avalanche technology operating in the short-wave infrared that are substantially lower-cost than the state-of-the-art. Such devices have potential do be disruptive and applicable to numerous quantum and imaging technologies.

The work here will involve the design, nano/micro-fabrication and characterisation of such novel SPAD detectors, and their subsequent integration with electronics to ultimately produce LIDAR demonstrators. The role will require working closely with collaborators at Heriot-Watt University, University of Edinburgh and University of Cambridge, as well as with the wider Quantum Hub.

A broad range of skills will be required to deliver the project’s ambitious goals. The ideal candidate will require expertise covering; nano/micro fabrication; electrical and optical semiconductor device characterisation; and semiconductor device simulation.

The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications and research proposals as well as help manage and direct this complex and challenging project as opportunities allow.

Candidates should address all of the essential criteria in their application.

Candidates must abide by the principles of Trusted Research (https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/ris/governance/trustedresearch/), for which the QEPNT Hub has contractual obligations.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1.Take a leading role in the planning and conduct of assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and project strategy. This will involve the design, micro/nano-fabrication, and characterisation of single-photon avalanche diodes, working in the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre (https://www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/jwnc/) and in optics laboratories.

2. Characterisation of completed devices and the documentation of research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and research papers as appropriate.

3. Establish and maintain your research profile and reputation and that of The University of Glasgow/ School/ Research Group, including establishing and sustaining a track record of independent and joint publications of international quality in high profile/quality refereed publications, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.

4. Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project & subject area, & develop/implement a suitable research strategy.

5. Presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.

6. Take a leading role in the identification of potential funding sources and to assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research.

7. Take a leading role in developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across the research group/School/College/University and wider community of academic and industrial partners.

8. Take a leading role in team/group/project meetings/seminars/workshops and School research group activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs and culture of the School/College.

9. Take the lead in the organisation, supervision, mentoring and training of undergraduate and/or postgraduate students and less experienced members of the project team to ensure their effective development.

10. Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the project/research group and School, including Budgets/Expenditure.

11. Make a leading contribution to Teaching activities (e.g. demonstrating etc) and associated admin as assigned by the Head of School and in consultation with Principal Investigator.

12. Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.

13. Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.

14. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the line manager or Head of School/Director of Research Institute.

15. Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University Strategy, World Changing Glasgow 2025.

These key tasks are not intended to be exhaustive but simply highlight a number of major tasks which the staff member may be reasonably expected to perform.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential:

A1.   Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) plus track record of emerging independence within a research/professional environment, or alternatively possess professional qualifications and experience equivalent to PhD level plus the requisite experience.

A2. A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of semiconductor devices and the underlying physics that govern the operation of opto-electronic devices such as photodetectors, avalanche photodiodes (APDs) and/or Single Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPADs) with the ability to take full advantage of the resources in the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre and the research laboratories of the University of Glasgow and its partners in industry and academia.

A3. Evidenced knowledge of fabrication techniques and the associated processing required to fabricate semiconductor/opto-electronic devices (preferably including APDs or SPAD devices), including but not limited to lithography, dry etching, metallisation and metrology.

A4. Knowledge of the design and characterisation of relevant semiconductor/opto-electronic devices (ideally including photodetectors APDs and SPADs) as demonstrated through publications.

A5. Knowledge of relevant material characterisation techniques, for example; capacitance-voltage measurements, X-Ray Diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence, or similar.

A6. Knowledge of electrical characterisation techniques for semiconductor/opto-electronic devices at DC (essential) and ideally ~GHz frequencies (e.g. dark/photo current, bandwidth, responsivity etc).

A7. Sufficient depth of relevant research experience, normally including sufficient experience in a related field, appropriate to an early career researcher and evidenced clearly by relevant outputs.

A8. A track record of presentations and publications of research results in quality

publications and/or at conferences with evidence of a leading contribution appropriate for the career stage.

Skills

Essential:

C1 Evidence of skills in the fabrication of relevant opto-electronic/semiconductor devices using nano/microfabrication facilities.

C2 Evidence of skills in relevant material and characterisation techniques as relating to the essential knowledge criteria.

C3 Research or Industrial creativity and strong cross-discipline collaborative ability

C4 Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including public presentations and ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely with a range of stakeholders

C5 Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach

C6 Appropriate workload/time/project/budget/people management skills

C7 Extensive IT and data analysis/interpretation skills as appropriate

C8 Self-motivation, initiative and independent thought/working

C9 Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach

C10 Good Team Leadership skills including demonstrable supervisory skills

Experience

Essential:

E1 Sufficient depth of relevant research experience, including sufficient postdoctoral experience in a related field, appropriate to an early career researcher.

E2 Evidenced track record in fabrication and research experience associated with the previously mentioned knowledge and skills.

E3. Proven ability to deliver quality research outputs in a timely and efficient manner, with a track record of first and co-authored presentations and publications in quality publications/conferences, appropriate for the career stage

E4. Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities.

E5: Ability to demonstrate a degree of independence as illustrated by identification of project objectives from assessment of the literature, design & analysis of experiments & drafting of papers.

E6. Experience in undertaking independent research.

E7. Commitment to open research, as appropriate to the discipline, through open data, open code, open educational resources and practices that support replication.

E8. Proven commitment to supporting the career development of colleagues and to other forms of collegiality appropriate to the career stage.

Closing date:  22 August 2025

 Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £40,497 - £45,413 per annum.

This post is full time, and has funding for up to 26 months.

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.  If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.