Research Associate in NanoPhotonics

Research Associate in NanoPhotonics

University of Cambridge - Department of Physics

Cambridge, United Kingdom

Applications are invited for an experimental researcher post available from July 2026 for 2 years. The researcher will be part of the NanoPhotonics group, which looks at nanoscale assembly and NanoPhotonics interactions. The candidate will join a dynamic and diverse team that values collaboration. The role holder will develop novel infrared spectroscopy on self-assembled plasmonic nanocavities to study nonlinear interactions.

Project:

MidIR upconversion in plasmonic nanocavities. This project aims to exploit plasmonic confinement of light in nanoscale cavities including molecules, to upconvert light from the infrared to the visible where it can be easily detected. This will continue our work building nanoscale assembly with molecular layers and plasmonic confinement from colloidal-assembly nanoparticle gaps. This research will require strong knowledge and experience of advanced optical engineering, plasmonic spectroscopies, and nano-optics. We therefore welcome applications with aligned scientific backgrounds. Experience in Raman scattering, self-assembled monolayers and attachment, and plasmonic self-assembly would be advantageous.

Job requirements:

Candidates will have, or be close to obtaining, a strong physics or chemistry PhD or a related discipline, with proven experience in measuring optical dynamics on the nanoscale in the THz domain as well as near-field spectroscopy, and in developing both plasmonics and metasurface devices. In addition to proven experimental skills the candidate should ideally have experience in working across disciplinary boundaries. They should expect to be involved in both construction of new optical spectroscopy rigs using lasers as well as a variety of chemical sample preparations or synthesis. Experience in the field of plasmonics or metamaterials or soft materials would be helpful, as well as with surface-enhanced Raman scattering and chemistry of nano-assembly and nano-systems.