Optical Communications Researcher

Fraunhofer CAP (Centre for Applied Photonics), Glasgow, G1 1RD, United Kingdom

Fraunhofer CAP has an exciting opportunity for an applied optics/photonics/communications engineering researcher to join our growing team working in the field of optical communications. Working for, and in collaboration with, industrial partners Fraunhofer CAP specialises in research and development of applied optics and photonics technologies, translating cutting edge research into real world applications. Since its establishment 10 years ago as the first Fraunhofer research centre in the UK, Fraunhofer CAP has established a strong reputation and built a substantial project portfolio, with funded collaborative R&D programmes with over 100 companies. It is especially prominent in the UK’s National Quantum Technology Programme.

Our team works on multiple aspects of optical communications systems including telescope design, beam-steering and pointing and tracking, and communications protocols, across both classical and quantum communications and in various domains – air, space, underwater, and indoors. We are seeking to grow our activities in these and other areas of optical communications. This position presents an opportunity to take the next step beyond laboratory research and develop optical communications systems for real-world deployment in varied and challenging contexts.

This researcher role includes working as part of small project-based teams to deliver project outputs, which may include the design, build and/or test of a range of prototype optical communications systems and sub-systems. The researcher will analyse results from simulation and experimental tests and report these internally within the team, and externally to our customers or collaborators. They will contribute to funding proposals, which may be quotations direct to a company, or applying to funding calls from sources such as Innovate UK, the UK Space Agency, or DASA (Defence and Security Accelerator).

The successful candidate will most likely have a strong academic or industrial research and development track record in photonics or optoelectronics and a demonstrable ability to work collaboratively and independently, to defined timescales, together with a commitment to commercially-orientated research and development.

We are looking for someone who is excited to work across a range of technical areas, is flexible and able to assimilate new areas when required. However, existing experience of one or more of the following areas would be an advantage

• Optics for the space environment
• Development of optical Pointing, Acquisition and Tracking (PAT) systems
• Detection and analysis of weak (e.g. single-photon) optical signals
• Adaptive optics and/or understanding of atmospheric refractive turbulence
• Integration of optical communications into telecoms networks
• Deployment of optical systems in challenging environments
• Understanding of optical communication modulation protocols

We welcome applications from people at all stages of their career and we enjoy our team being diverse in every way. Our team is bright, engaging, welcoming, helpful and we want like-minded individuals who want to make a difference and really contribute. We hope for candidates who are sociable and professional. Your attitude and ambition are as important to us as any of the details above.

Fraunhofer CAP offers a competitive salary and very attractive University-like conditions, including generous holidays, pension provision, enhanced parental leave, nursery access, etc. Salary will be commensurate with the level of appointment.

In the first instance, if you consider that you match these requirements; please send a three-page maximum CV and a one-page maximum covering letter, all as a single PDF file with the filename firstname_lastname_OC_Dec2022

Please include in your letter ‘I agree that you may keep my CV on file for two calendar years in order to be considered for future positions.’, if you so wish.

The deadline for applications is: Thursday 5^th January 2023.

Please note that if you have not heard anything from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, your application has on this occasion been unsuccessful.