Job Description
Position Details
College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
Full time starting salary is normally in the range £34,980 to £44,263 with potential progression once in post to £46,974
Grade 7
Full Time, Permanent
Closing date: 10th December 2023
Background
The Institute of Gravitational Wave Astronomy at the University of Birmingham invites applications for a permanent position in Engineering. The post aims to develop instruments for fundamental physics problems, such as the detection of gravitational waves and dark matter. Examples of the instruments include optical interferometers, seismometers, and sources of quantum states of light. You will work with our team of enthusiastic scientists and will play a key role in our research and development of table-top experiments and new equipment for LIGO, GEO, and other facilities across the globe.
The Institute of Gravitational Wave Astronomy is one of the leading research centres worldwide focusing on the revolutionary field of gravitational wave astronomy and related areas. The Institute has a rich portfolio of research activities ranging from quantum optics and interferometry, to data analysis, the astrophysics of gravitational-wave sources, multi-messenger astronomy, and tests of strong-field gravity. Institute members play leading roles in the GEO Collaboration, the LIGO Scientific Collaboration, the Quantum Interferometry collaboration, the LISA International Science Team, the European and International Pulsar Timing Array Collaboration, and the Einstein gravitational-wave Telescope.
You will be working in modern laboratories and cleanrooms within the Physics department. The university campus is an open, green and vibrant with local museums, gymnasium and sports pitches, restaurants and other attractions with easy access by road or rail.
Visit https://www.sr.bham.ac.uk/instrumental/ for further information about our research in the Birmingham laboratories.
Role Summary
The post will contribute to research activities in the fields of quantum optics, laser physics, and inertial isolation systems. This is a broad search. We are looking for candidates with relevant expertise in one or more of the following areas and desire to learn and contribute to the other areas: (i) design and development of low-noise analog electronics, (ii) development and support of digital control electronics, including circuits with analog-to-digital converters and FPGAs, (iii) alignment and control of high-power laser beams for pulling and welding of fused silica parts, (iv) development of mechanical parts for opto-mechanical experiments, (v) characterisation of optical surfaces with a dark-field microscopy and scatterometers.
Main Duties
- Development of low-noise analog and digital electronics
- Development of mechanical parts for the experiments
- Alignment of laser beams to optical cavities and for our fire pulling and welding station
- Development of control models in Simulink and LabView
- Assisting installation of new experimental hardware
- Repair and administer our experiments
- Support of our digital infrastructure, including data acquisition and control systems
- Assistance in assembling the vacuum systems
- Substantial contributions to public engagement activities in College and the University
- Contribution to the administrative activities within the University, typically relating to research, such as maintaining laser safety forms
- Application of knowledge in a way that develops a new intellectual understanding
Person Specification
Since the search is broad, we expect the candidate to satisfy several (but not necessarily all) of the following criteria
- Experience in low-noise analog and digital electronics
- Undergraduate or postgraduate degree in engineering or physical sciences
- Skills in interferometry or laser optics
- Ability to communicate complex information clearly
- Fluency in electrical, mechanical, and optical engineering
- Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
- Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
- Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to ensure in day-to-day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly
For further information about this post, please contact Alberto Vecchio av@star.sr.bham.ac.uk and Denis Martynov, email: D.Martynov@bham.ac.uk
We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website .