Job Purpose

You will contribute to a project “Vector light enhanced atomic magnetometry” working with Prof Sonja Franke-Arnold (Optics Group, University of Glasgow) and in collaboration with Dr Ciaran Beggan (British Geological Survey, Edinburgh). This project is funded by the European research proposal V-MAG Quantera VMAG. The aim of the project is to develop and test (Rb) atom magnetometers, pumped with structured light in higher order modes in order to improve spatial resolution and enhanced angular sensitivity to the Earth’s natural magnetic field. Specifically, the job requires expert knowledge in experiments on atomic spectroscopy and ideally magnetometry, as well as familiarity with beam shaping.

The candidate will be based at the University of Glasgow but work in close collaboration with BGS, with the opportunity and expectation to conduct experiments at the BGS facilities in Edinburgh.

The successfu

l 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.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Perform the following activities in conjunction with and under the guidance of the Principal/Co Investigator: Subject specific tasks: add separately or embed within generics below.
1. Plan and conduct assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and project/group/School/College research strategy. 

 2. Contribute to the acquisition, set up, maintenance and integration of experimental apparatus or computational kit, or in setting up theoretical models or analysis strategies.
3. Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate. 

4. Develop and enhance your research profile and reputation and that of The University of Glasgow/ School/ Research Group, including contributing to publications of international quality in high profile/quality refereed journals, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.
5. Contribute to the presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile. 

6. Contribute to 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. Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team/group meetings/seminars/workshops across the research Group/School/College/University and wider community, specifically with the VMAG consortium and the Industrial Partner BGS.  

8. Contribute to 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.
9. Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School, including Budgets/Expenditure 

10. Contribute to outreach and recruitment activities of The University of Glasgow.
11. Carry out modest Teaching activities (e.g demonstrating etc) and associated admin as assigned by the Head of School and in consultation with Principal Investigator. 

12. Be responsible for safety management related to the organisation and running of Laboratory and/or Experimental techniques, equipment and processes as appropriate.
13. Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline. 

14. Engage in personal, professional and career development to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.
15. Undertake any other duties of equivalent standing as assigned by the Head of School and/or PI.

16. To contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan – World Changers Together. http://www.gla.ac.uk/about/strategy/people/

For appointment at Grade 7:

17. Perform the above duties with a higher degree of independence, leadership and responsibility, particularly in relation to planning, funding, collaborating and publishing research, and mentoring colleagues.
18. Establish and sustain a track record of independent and joint published research to establish and maintain your expert reputation in the subject area. 

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

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/Qualifications

Essential:

A1. Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 10 (Honours Degree). May be working towards post-graduate qualification such as a Masters (Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 11) or PhD (Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12). Or Equivalent professional qualifications in relevant academic/research discipline, and experience of personal development in a similar role.

A2. Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of light-matter interaction and magnetometry.  

A3. A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of the wider subject area or subject specialism

A4. Knowledge of specialist IT software (eg. LabView, Python, Mathematica) as appropriate 

A5. Knowledge of project-specific technical models, equipment or techniques, including spectroscopy, laser locking, data and image analysis.

For appointment at Grade 7:

A6. Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) with at least 2 years’ post-doctoral experience in a similar or related role(s), or alternatively possess the equivalent in professional qualifications and experience. 

A7. Competence in vectorial light-matter interaction and suitable modelling approaches.

Desirable: 

B1. An awarded (or recently submitted or near completion) PhD in subject specialism or equivalent

B2. Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge in Stokes polarimetry and light shaping.

Skills

Essential:

C1. Programming skills in LabVIEW and/or other languages, competence in laser alignment. 

C2. Research creativity and cross-discipline collaborative ability as appropriate.

C3. Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including public presentations and ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely 

C4. Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach

C5. Appropriate workload/time/project/budget/people management skills 

C6. Extensive IT and data analysis/interpretation skills as appropriate.

C7. Self motivation, initiative and independent thought/working 

C8. Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach

For appointment at Grade 7:

C9. Good Team Leadership skills

Experience

Essential:

E1. Sufficient breadth and/or depth of knowledge in specialist subject/discipline and of research/teaching methods and techniques to work within the subject area. 

E2. Experience in working in research teams and/or collaborating with international colleagues

E3. Experience of scientific writing

E4. Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner E5. Evidence of an emerging track record of publications in a relevant field

For appointment at Grade 7:

E6. Normally sufficient postdoctoral experience in a related field 

E7. A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals/conferences

E8. Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities 

E9. 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.

E10. Experience in undertaking independent research

Desirable:

F11. An emerging national or international reputation

Closing date:  7 March 2025

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 6/7, £33,232 - £36,924 /  £40,247 - £45,163 per annum.

This post is full time and fixed term for up to 20 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.