Higher Scientist

Do you have the skills to be part of NPL’s world-leading team operating in the rapidly developing quantum technology market?  The Quantum Electrical Metrology Group has an opening for Higher Scientist to work on the control of solid-state quantum systems.

You will be joining NPL’s Quantum Technologies Department at a exciting time - as quantum phenomena are delivering breakthroughs in many areas, including increased information processing power, secure communications, high-precision measurement and sensing, and early diagnosis of diseases.

The Quantum Electrical Metrology Group undertakes research to establish new quantum standards for electrical base units, electrical quantities and new techniques for sensing and manipulating the quantum state of electrons in solids. We work with leading UK and European researchers from academia, counterparts at other national laboratories and emerging players in quantum technologies. This can be through scientific collaborations on topics such as control of ballistic electron transport in solids, experiments with other National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) on establishing the universality of single electron pumps or work with industrial customers on tests of components for use in quantum technology research.

Solid-state quantum technology requires several high-tech facilities. Through our own fabrication expertise and working with project partners we have capabilities for fabricating novel nanodevices. We also have multiple cryogenic measurement systems equipped with RF control and readout electronics, multi-channel control/acquisition systems.

Optimising the design and control of quantum devices is a huge challenge. We are currently growing our team of scientists to deliver both device-based research and novel measurement capability for our partners in the development of new quantum technologies. We are particularly interested in early-career scientists with experience in one of the many areas that quantum technology research can involve (device fabrication, control software, electronic hardware, cryogenic systems).

The Quantum Electrical Metrology Group is a part of the Quantum Technologies Department, and we are an inclusive group of scientists who are supportive of each other and of our professional development. NPL is committed to a ‘digital NMI’ status, and we are developing new digital ways of working, that not only increase productivity and efficiency but through a combination of remote control and automation are allowing us to have greater flexibility in our working patterns. Currently we perform a mixture of on-site experimental work and off-site remote work to deliver excellent science that supports a positive work-life balance. We aspire to have greater diversity within our team and particularly encourage applications from women and those in underrepresented groups.

Responsibilities:

• Experimental research on single-electron transport, electron quantum optics, cryogenic nanoelectronics, single-photon detection.
• Support the development of new and enhanced quantum electrical standards
• Working with our fabrication team, design and optimise semiconductor nanodevices
• Design, develop, and maintain cryogenic measurement systems
• Collaborate with broader team/consortium on software/hardware interfacing challenges such as machine learning
• Collaborate internally and externally in developing the concepts and theories in the field of quantum electrical metrology and quantum device control
• Building experimental set-ups and bespoke instrumentation
• Designing and implementing control and data analysis software
• Analytic and numerical analysis of experimental data
• Writing scientific papers and making conference presentations
• Preparing and presenting project and internal reports
• Establishing and maintaining productive working relationships with UK and international partners
• Supervising PhD students

Be aware of the evolving requirements of the UK quantum technology landscape to identify funding opportunities and contribute to bids

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