Research Associate in Optical Metamaterials

Role: Research Associate in Optical Metamaterials

Salary: Grade 7 – £37,694 – £47,389

Contract Type: Full Time (1FTE), Fixed Term (14 months from 10th December 2025)

Rewards and Benefits: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days for all full time staff (Part time workers should pro rata this by their FTE). Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.

Detailed Description

The 3D Nanoscale Metamaterials Hub for a Sustainable Future will deliver an ambitious and innovative programme of research within the engineering and physical sciences. The Hub aims to address key challenges in the design, development, innovation, and translation of advanced 3D nanoscale metamaterials, driving forward fundamental science and technological impact in this rapidly evolving field. This strategic investment will focus on advancing the science and engineering of 3D metamaterials, strengthening and refreshing the existing national research portfolio in metamaterials. The Hub will pursue cutting-edge research into the fundamental principles underpinning the design, fabrication, characterisation, and real-world translation of novel 3D metamaterials. Alongside this, the Hub will undertake pioneering work in fabrication and manufacturing processes, supporting the scalability and practical implementation of metamaterial technologies.

A key element of the Hub’s mission is to deliver mission-oriented, impact-driven research through close collaboration and co-creation with industry partners of all sizes, ensuring meaningful engagement and translation throughout the lifetime of the programme. The successful candidate will play a central role in the design and development of new and existing 3D nanoscale metamaterials, contributing to a research programme that integrates fundamental science, nanostructure design, and prototype device development. The developed metamaterials will underpin technologies that contribute to environmental sustainability, with research efforts oriented towards delivering tangible societal and environmental benefits.

The post holder will work under the direct supervision of Professor Xianzhong Chen and will collaborate closely with other members of the Hub. It is anticipated that a PhD student will also be recruited to work on a closely related project, providing the post holder with the opportunity to gain valuable supervisory and mentoring experience.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The post holder is required to:

• Contribute as an integral member of the project team focused on developing novel nanofabrication techniques.
• Design and fabricate advanced 3D nanoscale metamaterials using innovative fabrication approaches.
• Lead the creative and technical design of optical metamaterials for next-generation applications.
• Oversee the experimental development and successful demonstration of prototype devices in alignment with project objectives.
• Prepare comprehensive design and progress reports, and collaborate effectively with other members of the research team.
• Contribute to, and where appropriate, lead the writing of research papers and reports; present findings at international conferences and publish in top-tier academic journals.
• Develop research objectives and proposals for independent or collaborative projects, and, when appropriate, take the lead in preparing funding proposals for academic and industrial partners.
• Support the development of students’ research skills through supervision and assessment and contribute to specialized undergraduate and postgraduate teaching as required.
• The ideal candidate will have a strong theoretical understanding and practical experience in one or more of the following fields:
• Physics and engineering of optical devices, with particular focus on optical metamaterials, plasmonics or closely related areas.
• Optical device design and system development, with a particular focus on nanodevice fabrication.
• New technology demonstrators, with relevant research lab experience.
• Knowledge of the international trends and development of optical metamaterials and their applications.
• Good communication skills and an excellent publication record are essential.
• General tasks will involve:
• Scientific research; analysis and interpretation of data; daily oversight of the activities of postgraduate and undergraduate project students in the laboratory; communication with other investigators involved in this project; preparation of scientific papers; presentation of research at conferences.
• The successful candidate will be expected to conduct and lead their own experiments whilst also supervising the activities of junior group members and PhD students.
• Responsibilities will also include assistance in the day-to-day maintenance of the experimental facilities, liaising with companies and external collaborators.
• The successful candidate is also expected to be involved in our outreach activities, with roles that can be tuned to the specific preferences of the candidate but will involve for example talks for the public.

Education, Qualifications & Experience

Essential Criteria

• Applicants should hold (or about to hold) a PhD in a relevant area of physics.
• Possess and maintain sufficient breadth or depth of specialist discipline knowledge and research methods and techniques to work in optical device design, engineering and implementation.
• Experience of working in optical materials research and development laboratory or a similar environment.
• Strong track record of high-profile publications and conference presentations; and evidence of contribution to the writing and presentation of these.
• Demonstrate the capability of working as part of a team, but also to take the lead on aspects of novel optical device development.
• Be present and capable to contribute to the multi-disciplinary research team at Heriot-Watt University, and more widely with collaborators and industrial partners.
• Must have a strong theoretical understanding and practical experience in several of the following:
• Nanostructure design for various optical metamaterials
• Large-area nanofabrication with low cost
• Optical metamaterials with tailored functionalities
• Optical system design and development which is applicable to nanophotonic systems.

Desirable Criteria

• A strong theoretical understanding and practical experience in physics and engineering of optical metamaterials, with particular focus on the advancement of novel devices.
• A record of lead authorship of high-quality publications and international conference presentations.
• Hands-on advanced research lab (or similar) experience with a focus on optical device development and technology demonstration.
• Knowledge and experience of the international trends and development of optical metamaterial devices and experience with their applications.
• Experience in research-student supervision.

About the Team

The Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences (IPaQS) at Heriot-Watt University is a leading centre of excellence in photonics research, comprising over 150 researchers working across photonic physics, engineering photonics, and quantum sciences. The Institute hosts state-of-the-art photonics laboratories, cleanroom facilities, and advanced analytical equipment. This position is part of the EPSRC-funded Research Hub on 3D Nanoscale Metamaterials for the Versatile Engineering of Resilient Sustainable Environments (3D-META-VERSE). The Hub aims to empower the metamaterials research community to achieve meaningful impact through the design and development of three-dimensional nanoscale metamaterials. The overarching goal is to support technologies and systems that contribute to national and global efforts in environmental sustainability.

The successful candidate will join Professor Xianzhong Chen’s Experimental Nanophotonics Group, which focuses on the development of novel 3D nanoscale metamaterials operating in the visible and near-infrared regimes. The group is equipped with a dedicated nanophotonics lab. This 14-month fixed-term position (with potential for extension subject to future funding within the Hub) will primarily involve the design, fabrication, and characterization of optical metamaterials, as well as the exploration of their potential applications in diverse fields such as healthcare and quantum science.

Travel

Travel to national and international conferences is required.

National travel to industrial partners may be required.

How to Apply

Please submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing their interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV.

Applications must be submitted by midnight on Tuesday 4th November 2025.

Interviews will take place during the week commencing 24 November 2025.

Informal enquiries can be directed to Prof. Xianzhong Chen, Email x.chen@hw.ac.uk.

At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.

Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.

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 https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.

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