Job Description

Applications are invited for an experimental researcher post available from October 2023 for initially 2 years within an EU-funded Advanced grant from the European Research Council (ERC) on extreme light confinement, \'PICOFORCE\'. The researcher will be part of the NanoPhotonics group, which looks at nanoscale assembly and nanophotonics interactions. The candidate will join a dynamic and diverse team that values collaboration. The role holder will develop novel ultrafast NIR and MIR spectroscopy on self-assembled plasmonic nanocavities to study vibrational interactions and the optomechanics of single/few molecules for quantum technologies. For recent work see .

Project: Ultrafast and plasmonic spectroscopies This project aims to develop investigations into the dynamics of interacting vibrating molecules and layered materials. This will continue our work building nanoscale assembly with molecular layers and plasmonic confinement from colloidal-assembly nanoparticle gaps. This research will require strong knowledge and experience of ultrafast spectroscopy, plasmonic spectroscopies, and nano-optics. We therefore welcome applications with aligned scientific backgrounds. Some experience in Raman scattering, self-assembled monolayers and attachment, plasmonic self-assembly, and/or electrochemistry would be advantageous.

Job requirements: Candidates will have, or be close to obtaining, a strong physics or chemistry PhD or a related discipline, with experience in measuring optical dynamics on the nanoscale and/or mid-infrared spectroscopy. In addition to proven experimental skills the candidate should ideally have experience in working across disciplinary boundaries. They should expect to be involved in both construction of new optical spectroscopy rigs using lasers as well as a variety of chemical sample preparations or synthesis. Experience in the field of plasmonics or metamaterials or soft materials would be helpful, as well as with surface-enhanced Raman scattering and chemistry of nano-assembly and nano-systems.

The UK NanoPhotonics Centre ( ) collaborates widely across the University of Cambridge including the Departments of Chemistry, Engineering, Physics of Medicine, Cancer Research UK, Chemical Engineering, Materials as well as many international partners, industry, with several major EU programmes. Recent publications can be seen on our website (above). Prof JJ Baumberg, FRS, is an acknowledged leader in discovering and assembling nanomaterials for novel photonics.

Appointment at research associate is dependent on having a PhD (or equivalent experience), including those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD (in which case appointment will initially be made at research assistant and amended to research associate when the PhD is awarded). The research assistant salary (grade 5) falls within the range \xc2\xa328,929 to \xc2\xa333,348. The research associate (grade 7) salary falls within the range \xc2\xa335,308 to \xc2\xa343,155.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 2 years in the first instance.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a health assessment.

Click the \'Apply\' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

The closing date for applications is 25th August 2023 Informal enquires may be addressed to Prof Jeremy Baumberg ( ) or Dr Bart DeNijs ( ).

Please quote reference KA37507 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Further information

University of Cambridge