Professor in Photonics

The Aston institute of Photonic Technologies (AiPT) is one of the largest photonics research centres in the UK. It was founded on the unique combination of advanced fibre grating based devices with state of the art optical communications research and has a proud track record of exploiting non-linear effects, from solitons to the nonlinear Fourier transform and from nonlinear optical loop mirrors to parametric amplification. Today AiPT pursues a diverse range of device and system-level topics at the leading edge of technology, including high-speed optical transmission, free space communications, signal processing, ultra-wide-band amplification, nonlinear photonics, fibre grating technology, fibre lasers, bio- and medical photonics, various fibre optic sensing applications, optical materials processing and nano-photonic materials. AiPT maintains active and fertile collaborations with industrial companies and academic institutions throughout the world. It has recently successfully expanded its activities, with brand new 1800 square metre state of the art laboratories and is now seeking an outstanding researcher to join AiPT to lead in current or emerging strategic priority areas. Applications are encouraged from candidates with outstanding track records in all areas of Photonics including, but not limited to, photonics device development, space communications, optical frequency comb technologies, free space communications, ultra-wide-band communications, new and emerging wavebands, data centre interconnects, optical access technologies, bio-medical applications of photonics and photonic sensing.

As the successful applicant, you will join the established Aston institute of Photonic Technologies, currently comprising several key internationally renowned research groups including Optical Communications, Nonlinear Photonics, Optical Sensing, Nanoscale Photonics and Bio-medical photonics. You will develop an independent and sustainable research programme and will demonstrate that their unique capabilities offer synergies with, and collaborative opportunities for, existing AiPT groups, and opportunities to develop new research fields and technologies. You will have a background commensurate with appointment as a Professor of Photonics including strong and productive track records of:

high quality international publications invited and keynote presentationsproductive research collaborations over all geographic scalestechnology commercialisation, including intellectual property, with demonstrable impactstrong and fruitful engagement between industry and academiamaintenance of a portfolio of income sufficient to maintain a productive teamdevelopment and implementation of research strategycontribution to relevant professional bodiesparticipation in conference organisation for major conferences (>1000 attendees), development of topical conference series (>200 attendees) or equivalent activities demonstrating international prestigementorship of ECRs, junior staff members and students of all levelsnurturing an entrepreneurial culture amongst PGR, PDRAs, and academic staffmanagement and leadership of an organisational units encompassing multiple research leadersdevelopment of constructive and inclusive research environmentdevelopment of new successful research related teaching programs

As the successful applicant you will, within two years, develop your own sustainable research programme in Photonics or a closely related, area, and will develop with the colleagues form AiPT new taught UG or PG programmes in communications, sensing, applied physics, or other programmes with links to Photonics with a particular focus of the needs of Aston’s stakeholders, or will integrate substantial teaching activities into appropriate existing programmes.

Shortlisted candidates will present a compelling research vision highlighting the synergies of pursuing their research programme at Aston University, the added value to their own research, and the potential regional impact of their proposed portfolio of research activities. Whilst this position is open to any candidate with a track record in Photonics research, we would particularly welcome applications from candidate’s who wish to contribute to one of our existing research groups, or with substantial experience in one or more of the fields listed above.

Potential applicants are welcome to contact the AiPT Director, Professor Sergei Turitsyn (s.k.turitsyn@aston.ac.uk), or one of the deputy directors Profs Andrew Ellis (andrew.ellis@aston.ac.uk), Richard Hogg (r.hogg1@aston.ac.uk) in advance of an application to discuss this opportunity. 

The salary and job description for this role are likely to meet the requirements for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa. Please see the Home Office Guidance: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/your-job

 

Closing Date: 01 May 2025

Unit: Teaching & Research

Salary: £65,632 to £101,647 per annum