Research Assistant / Associate in photonic fabrication and integration

Cambridge; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; On-site; GBP 33,000 - GBP 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK university is seeking a Research Assistant/Associate in photonic fabrication and integration in West Cambridge. The role involves developing innovative photonic devices for data centres and requires relevant experience in photonic integrated circuits and a strong publication record. The successful candidate will work closely with collaborators and contribute to low-cost photonic solutions. The position is available until 31 August 2026, with a salary range of GBP 33,002 - GBP 46,049 depending on qualifications.

Qualifications

• Applicant must have relevant experience in photonic integrated circuits.
• Must have a solid publication record.
• Ability to collaborate with industry partners is essential.

Responsibilities

• Develop low-cost coupling and packing solutions for photonic devices.
• Work closely with collaborators and external partners.
• Explore advanced materials for photonic components development.

Skills

Experience in photonic integrated circuits

Ability to work in a team

Good publishing track record

Experience in optical communication link design

Education

PhD or close to obtaining one

Job description

# Research Assistant/Associate in photonic fabrication and integrationA position exists, for a Research Assistant/Associate in the Department of Engineering to work on photonic packaging and integration.The post holder will be located in West Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK.The key responsibilities and duties are to work closely with collaborators to develop low-cost coupling and packing solutions that fully exploit the space, wavelength, and time domains, offering a powerful route to higher connectivity and throughput, while maintaining determinism. This role also involves developing integrated photonic devices, potentially for data centres. This involves exploring advanced materials to create photonic components that could potentially enhance data transmission and processing capabilities.The skills, qualifications and experience required to perform the role are:The applicant has obtained or is close to obtaining a PhD; has relevant experience in photonic integrated circuits in a PhD/postdoc/job; has a good publishing track record and has the ability to work in a team and with external industry partners. Experience in photonic device design and testing, clean room, and optical communication link design and testing is an advantage.Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will be appointed at Research Assistant level, which will be amended to Research Associate once the PhD has been awarded.Salary Ranges:Research Assistant: GBP 33,002 - GBP 35,608;Research Associate: GBP 37,694 - GBP 46,049Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 31 August 2026 in the first instance.Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.Please ensure that you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV), a covering letter and publication list in the Upload section of the online application. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application. Please submit your application by midnight on the closing date.If you have any questions about this vacancy please contact Dr Qixiang Cheng ([e-mail]) for queries of a technical nature related to the role or the application process, please contact Mrs Kam Lundin ([e-mail]).Please quote reference NM48762 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.### Department/location### Salary£33,002-£46,049### ReferenceNM48762### Category### Date published5 February 2026### Closing date19 February 2026