Contact: Silke.Weinfurtner[AT]nottingham.ac.ukLocation: Nottingham, UK
We are providing an exciting opportunity for three researchers to join our efforts to carry out analogue quantum simulations to investigate processes related to black holes, the early Universe and relativistic vacuum utilising superfluid-optomechanics systems.
We are looking for a researcher in the field of theoretical or experimental physics. For the desired theoretical modelling we are looking for someone with a background in black holes or cosmology or non-equilibrium quantum systems or analogue gravity or quantum field theory in curved spacetimes or quantum information sciences. For handling the experimental systems, we are looking for someone with experience in (quantum) optics or interferometry or ultra-low temperature systems (e.g. thin-film superfluid helium films, or superfluid-optomechanics, or quantum turbulence) or ultra-cold atoms or gravitational wave instrumentation.
The central aim of the project is to carry out and/or provide high-level modelling for a novel quantum simulator based on ultra-low temperature systems equipped with interferometric quantum-sensitive measurement schemes.
The successful candidates will be joining Prof. Silke Weinfurtner’s research group (gravitylaboratory.com). This project is funded through the Leverhulme Research Leadership Award (RL-20190-020), and will benefit from a UK wide initiative on Quantum Simulators for Fundamental Physics (qsimfp.org). QSimFP supports 27 researchers from 7 UK research organisations in the UK, supported by 5 International Partners in Austria, Canada and Germany.
You will be able to carry out duties to the highest standard and to evidence how through your experience you will:
Undertake original research of international excellence.
Develop research objectives for your own and/or collaborative research area.
Prepare papers for publication in leading journals and/or contribute to the dissemination at national/international conferences, workshops and meetings resulting in successful research outputs.
We are looking for a confident, organised researcher who can evidence:
PhD in experimental or theoretical physics or in a related field OR near to completion of a PhD.
Undergraduate degree in Physics, Engineering, Mathematics, or related discipline.
Expert knowledge of either high-level modelling and/or experimentation with
analogue gravity (or related fields), optical, ultra-low temperature or ultra-cold atoms systems.
The ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary and multicultural team.
There are 3 fixed term positions available. All 3 positions are full-time and available from 1 October 2023 (or as soon as possible thereafter) for the duration of:
Position 1: 12 months
Position 2: 24 months
Position 3: 29 months
There is some flexibility in terms of the starting dates, but all positions must end by the 31 March 2026, or by 29 months.
Requests for secondment from internal candidates may be considered on the basis that prior agreement has been sought from both your current line manager and the manager of your substantive post, if you are already undertaking a secondment role.
The University of Nottingham is committed to creating opportunities for people traditionally under-represented in the Faculty of Sciences and strives to maintain an environment where people can be their authentic selves.
Informal enquiries may be addressed to Silke Weinfurtner, email Silke.Weinfurtner@nottingham.ac.uk. Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.
Our University is a supportive, inclusive, caring and positive community. We warmly welcome those of different cultures, ethnicities and beliefs – indeed this very diversity is vital to our success, it is fundamental to our values and enriches life on campus. We welcome applications from UK, Europe and from across the globe. For more information on the support we offer our international colleagues, see our Moving to Nottingham pages.
For successful international applicants, we provide financial support for your visa and the immigration health surcharge, plus an interest-free loan to help cover the cost of immigration-related expenses for any dependants accompanying you to the UK. For more information please see the our webpage on Financial support for visas and the immigration health surcharge.