Postdoctoral Research Associate

Faculty/Directorate

Faculty of Science and Engineering

Location

Bay Campus, Swansea

Interview Date

18 Aug 2025

Informal Enquiries

• Professor David Ritchie d.a.ritchie@swansea.ac.uk
• Dr Wladislaw Michailow wm297@cam.ac.uk

About The University

Swansea University is a research-led university that has been making a difference since 1920. The University community thrives on exploration and discovery and offers the right balance of excellent teaching and research, matched by an enviable quality of life.

Our stunning waterfront campuses and multicultural community make us a desirable workplace for colleagues from around the world. Our reward and benefits, and ways of working enable those who join us to have enriching careers, matched by an excellent work-life balance.

About The Role

This is a full-time, fixed-term role until 31st December 2027 . The Department of Physics at Swansea University is seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) in Semiconductor Physics and Terahertz Science and Technology. The successful candidate will join a thriving research effort in semiconductor science at Swansea University’s new state-of-the-art Centre for Integrative Semiconductor Materials (CISM) and will contribute significantly to the EPSRC programme grant "Terahertz frequency devices and systems for ultrahigh capacity wireless communications (TERACOM)" (teracom.uk), EP/W028921/1. 

This is a collaborative project involving the Universities of Swansea, Leeds, and University College London The successful candidate will join a team of researchers aiming to realise next-generation communication systems operating in the terahertz range and participate in inter-site collaborations as well as regular meetings of the consortium that provide networking opportunities. As a research-focused University embedded in the South Wales Compound Semiconductor Cluster, Swansea provides excellent opportunities for applied research, semiconductor technology development, and industrial collaborations. 

As the selected PDRA, you will be simulating, designing and developing terahertz devices that rely on novel physical phenomena to achieve unprecedented performance in terahertz modulation and detection. You will be fabricating the samples (field-effect transistor type terahertz devices with a focus on the gallium nitride material system) in the CISM cleanroom. You will be characterising the new devices on existing setups as well as expanding and building new experimental systems for their measurements with terahertz sources. You will present the results on regular project meetings, write up the research outcomes and publish them in international peer-reviewed journals.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity in all its practices and activities. We aim to establish an inclusive environment and welcome diverse applications from the following protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic and national origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation.

As an inclusive and welcoming workplace, we value people for their skills regardless of their background. Applications are welcome in Welsh and will not be treated less favourably than those submitted in English.

Appointment at research associate level (grade 8) is dependent on having a PhD and relevant experience. A candidate who has submitted but has not yet received their PhD will be appointed at research assistant level (grade 7).

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