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We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

This post is funded by the Integrated Quantum Networks (IQN) Hub supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). The IQN Hub is part of Phase III of the UK’s Quantum Technologies Programme and is a five-year project with £19.5 M funding for a consortium of universities. The task of Kok’s group at the University of Sheffield within the consortium is to design quantum network protocols using N-way switches and entangled quantum dot sources. The research will involve modelling of hardware

imperfections and the design of efficient protocols for generating entangled networks using fusion gates and photons of different frequencies. In addition, the research includes the development of noise-tolerant protocols based on the rejection of measurement outcomes that reveal photon state errors. This will provide broadband entanglement networks with larger information capacity than single-frequency networks.

You should have a strong background in theoretical physics, quantum optics, or photonics and have completed or be in the final stages of a PhD in this or a related discipline.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Design and analyse photonic circuits for quantum networking protocols.
• Model physical imperfections such as loss, source impurity, and multi-photon events.
• Apply known quantum error correction codes to improve networking capabilities.
• Attend regular meetings of the research group, and prepare reports on your work, including analysis of previous results and outlook for the future studies.
• Interact and closely collaborate with colleagues in the group, contributing to the team effort to meet objectives and use laboratory time efficiently.
• Provide supervision to junior researchers including master students and PhD students.
• Write manuscripts based on your work and the team’s work for research journals.
• Present work at IQN Hub meetings and other external scientific meetings, planning well ahead of the deadline.
• Organise time to ensure very good knowledge of the background of the area of research, maintaining up-to-date knowledge of relevant literature.
• Be capable of planning your own research activities in discussion with your supervisor, incorporating issues such as the availability of resources, deadlines, project milestones and overall research aims.
• As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Essential criteria

• PhD in quantum physics with a focus on theoretical quantum optics (assessed at: application/interview)
• Strong expertise in mathematically analysing photonic circuits (assessed at application/interview)
• Experience in writing manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals (assessed at: application/interview)
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, report writing skills, experience of delivering presentations. (assessed at: application/interview)
• Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving with an appreciation of longer-term implications. (assessed at: application/interview)
• Ability to work in a team and to collaborate effectively with other researchers (assessed at: application/interview)
• Ability to assess and organise resources, and plan and progress work activities. (assessed at: application/interview)

Desirable criteria

• Understanding of quantum-optical effects in photonic integrated circuits (assessed at: application/interview)
• Familiarity with mathematical techniques describing linear optical quantum modes (assessed at: application/interview)

Further Information

Grade: 7

Salary: £37,099 - £45,585 per annum

Work arrangement: Full-time - 35 hours per week

Duration: 01.04.2025 to 30.11.2029

Line manager: Professor of Theoretical Physics

Direct reports: N/A

Our website: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/mps

For informal enquiries about this job contact
Prof Pieter Kok Professor of Theoretical Physics: on p.kok@sheffield.ac.uk

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on the week commencing 10th March 2025. This will consist of an interview and presentation. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 3rd March 2025. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact hicks-hr@sheffield.ac.uk.

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).
 

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Closing Date : 28.02.2025 

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.