research associate/senior research associate in nanoscale integrated acousto-optics

The role

We are looking to recruit a research associate for our recently awarded EPSRC standard mode project GLIMMER aims to rethink radio frequency systems from the ground up by applying ideas from integrated photonics to high frequency (GHz) acoustic waves. Guiding sound in (acoustic) index confined waveguides on the surface of a chip reduces the foot-print of traditional acoustic wave components like filters, resonators and delay lines by two orders of magnitude (analogous to moving from optical fibers to silicon photonics) paving the way for monolithic integration with active devices. We will use gallium nitride as the material platform to develop and implement these ideas.
Given the inter-disciplinary nature of the work, the candidate we are looking for is ideally someone with a background in integrated photonics who would like to expand their research horizons by extending similar ideas to controlling the propagation high-frequency sound waves on the surface of a chip. While there are many ideas that can be directly translated from integrated photonics to integrated phononics, there are important differences and this project will provide a good training ground to the candidate for their future academic career. In addition, many of the ideas developed in this project will serve to enable novel phononic integrated circuits platforms with wide ranging applications in nanoscale acousto-optics, an active area of research in the PI’s group. Finally, the work also provides candidates with extensive opportunities to engage with industry through our project partners at IQE, TI and Qorvo.
The work will be carried out in the group of the PI, Krishna Balram, and the candidate will be a part of the wider photonics and quantum research group at Bristol. The group currently has one Research Associate (RA) and three PhD students looking into different aspects of nanoscale acoustics and acousto-optics and we hope to add one more PhD student to the team in the near future. The PI’s labs at Bristol are well equipped to carry out this work. The Bristol cleanroom has been recently upgraded and features state of the art nanofabrication tools (including a Raith Voyager system for electron beam lithography).
 
 

What will I be doing

The RA will be expected to lead the day to day research activity of the project, under the PI’s supervision. This will involve device design and simulation (using finite element tools like COMSOL), nanofabrication and device characterization (involving high frequency RF and cryogenic tests). This research activity is part of the PI’s overall vision for nanoscale acoustics and as such the RA is expected to contribute to the wider efforts on nanoscale acousto-optics happening in the group. This will involve training and supervising PhD students and helping other members of the group with certain aspects of their projects, where feasible. In return, the RA can expect support from the whole team for their work as a lot of the device design and fabrication aspects are similar. The RA would also be expected to help the PI with day to day management (and project proposal) of undergraduate and MSc projects. Depending on the RA’s interests, there will be opportunities to obtain experience teaching and writing research proposals.
The work done as part of this project will result in some high impact papers and the RA will have opportunities to present this work at leading national and international photonics (CLEO Europe) and acoustics (IEEE Ultrasonics and CS Mantech) conferences.

You should apply if

You are interested in working on a new and emerging research area at the intersection between existing disciplines and pushing the frontiers of RF integration.
You have a background in one of the areas underlying the project: integrated photonics, radio frequency device design and characterization, acoustic wave devices is highly desirable. We welcome candidates with other backgrounds to get in touch with the PI regarding potential project fit.
You are interested in all aspects of the project, from device design to fabrication to characterization. Prior experience with numerical simulation tools and high-speed device characterisation is a plus, but not necessary.
Given the nature of the project, prior nanofabrication experience (esp. with electron beam lithography and plasma etching) is highly desirable.
Interested in working as part of small team and helping contribute to other experiments where you are not directly leading.
You are interested in working with and mentoring undergraduate and PhD students and want to pursue an academic career.



For informal enquiries, please contact: Dr. Krishna Balram (krishna.coimbatorebalram@bristol.ac.uk)
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