Job Description

Role Title: Postdoctoral Research Associate in CMOS SPAD array for Underwater LiDAR

Grade and Salary: Grade 7, £37,694 - £47,389 per annum

FTE and working pattern: Full-time (35hrs per week) Fixed-term (8 months)

Reward and Benefits33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days for all full time staff. 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.

About our Team

The Single-Photon Group at Heriot-Watt have a long–standing track record in researching ground-breaking single‑photon detection, applications in quantum communications and single-photon imaging. With single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) detectors, we initiated and led collaborations to produce the first custom-designed InGaAs/InP single-photon avalanche diode detector (2006), first strained SiGe SPAD (2002), and custom-designed Ge-on-Si SPAD (2013), and first planar Ge-on-Si SPAD (2018). In quantum communications systems: the first demonstration of a quantum key distribution system operating at GHz clock–rate over an optical fibre link (2004); the first experimental demonstrations of quantum digital signatures (including the first experimental demonstration of quantum digital signatures over installed optical fibre in the Tokyo network) (2015 and 2017). We have pioneered single-photon three-dimensional imaging since the 1990’s and continue to innovate, for example being the first to make underwater single-photon imaging demonstrations (2015), first measurements through camouflage (2017), first measurements through fog (2018), first single-photon full colour image reconstruction (2018), and first fully submerged transceiver system for real-time 3D imaging in scattering environments (2023).

Our group has seven laboratories with a total floor area of more than 150 m2, including space within a collaborative facility leveraging the skills and technologies of local EPSRC Quantum Enhance Position Navigation and Timing (QEPNT) Hub, EPSRC Quantum Sensing, Imaging, and Timing (QuSIT) Hub, and EPSRC Integrated Quantum Network (IQN) Hub colleagues. The research group has direct ownership of world–leading state–of–the–art equipment with a total value in excess of £3.5 million and shared access to the national network of resources from the Quantum Technology Hub Network. Furthermore, we have a global network of fellow world-leading researchers - offering the possibility of exchanges and collaborations. Access to these resources will allow a motivated candidate to drive the research on underwater single‑photon imaging and sensor fusion within the EPSRC QEPNT Hub, playing a pivotal role in the UK’s future three‑dimensional imaging research using quantum technologies.

Purpose of Role

The PDRA will investigate aspects of underwater single-photon imaging, and how to integrate quantum detection technologies in underwater vehicles. In particular, the successful candidate will characterise a number of CMOS SPAD arrays and compare their performance for underwater single-photon LiDAR.

The contract is for an initial 8 month period, with a good chance of follow-up funding.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The post holder is required to;

• Work with colleagues and line manager to devise and perform experiments, modelling and analysis consistent with the goals of the project.
• Write research reports and publications. Analyse and interpret the results of own research and generate original ideas based on outcomes. Prepare proposals and applications to external bodies, e.g. for funding purposes. Use initiative and creativity to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.
• Assist the development of student research skills, and be expected to contribute to the assessment of student knowledge (particularly PhD students) in the context of teaching and supervision duties. Could be expected to contribute to specialist courses such as research methods and equipment.
• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research with the assistance of a mentor, if required. Conduct individual and collaborative research projects, making use of relevant research techniques and methods. Disseminate results of research in peer reviewed journals and conferences, and/or other appropriate media.Continue to update personal knowledge and to develop skills within own specialist research area. Maintain written records of research results and progress generated intellectual property and data analysis. Contribute to the production of research reports and publications.
• Build internal contacts and participate in internal networks for the exchange of information and to form relationships for future collaboration. Work with academic colleagues on areas of shared research interest and contribute to collaborative decision making. Join external networks to share information and identify potential sources of funds.
• Provide guidance as required to support staff, research students and any other students who may be assisting with the research.
• Contribute, under supervision, to the planning of research projects, including the development of new grant/contract proposals. Make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding and form relationships for future collaboration.
• We are looking for a creative and highly motivated researcher willing to work as part of a team.
• The ideal candidate will have a strong theoretical understanding and an experimental background in semiconductor optoelectronics or closely related field.
• Good communication skills and an appropriate 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 collaborative 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 interviews, talks for the general public and preparation of experimental demonstrators.

Person Specification

These are the criteria on which the short-listing and recruitment selection will be made.

Essential

1. Possess and maintain sufficient breadth or depth of specialist discipline knowledge in imaging and or research methods and techniques to work in the area of imaging using single-photon techniques.
2. Applicants should hold a PhD in Physics or a relevant area of electrical engineering. (Applicants should have submitted their PhD thesis first draft by the start date.)
3. Strong theoretical understanding and thorough grounding in experimental techniques relevant to the project.
4. Ability to articulate research work, both in technical reports/papers and by oral presentation.
5. Must be able to work as part of a team on the experiments at Heriot-Watt University and more widely with the collaborators at other Universities.
6. Comfortable with working with industrial partners.
7. Experience with CMOS single-photon avalanche diode detector arrays.
8. Working knowledge of free-space optics, optical instrumentation, and practical optical design.
9. Experience of programming for data acquisition (e.g. MATLAB, Phyton, C/C++), analysis of data, and interfacing with multiple parts of equipment.
10. Ability to formulate and progress work on their own initiative.
11. Experience in writing and managing peer-reviewed papers.
12. Hands-on experimental work experience.
13. Energy and enthusiasm for the project.

Desirable

1. Experience with imaging systems.

2. Experience in industry or collaborating with industry.

3. Experience with underwater systems.

4. Experience of research-student supervision.

5. Experience with CAD software.

How to Apply

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

Applications can be submitted until 23:55 on Tuesday 4th July 2026.

About Heriot-Watt University

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.

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.