Research Fellow in Applied Photonics (SPEAR Centre)

Job Title: Research Fellow in Applied Photonics (SPEAR Centre)
Department/School: School of Computing, Engineering and Intelligent Systems
Campus: Derry~Londonderry campus
Salary: £48,822 - £58,260 per annum
Duration: Fixed-term until 30th September 2029 / Full-time
Closing Date: 6th January 2026
Reference Number: 039746

- ABOUT US -

We are a university with a national and international reputation for excellence, innovation and regional engagement, making a major contribution to the economic, social and cultural development of Northern Ireland.

Our core business activities are teaching and learning, widening access to education, research and innovation and technology and knowledge transfer.

- THE ROLE -

The role of the Research Fellow in Applied Photonics forms part of the SPEAR engineering team with the purpose of supporting the prototyping, testing and evaluation of Photonics-centred designs for both SMEs (via the Industrial Innovation Fund work stream) and Doctoral College researchers. In addition, the role will support SMEs via training in this subject domain.

The Semiconductor and Photonics Education and Research (SPEAR) Centre is an €8.5 million cross-border project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). SPEAR will provide Atlantic Technological University (ATU - Letterkenny) and Ulster University (Derry~Londonderry) with access to an all-island network of research groups and industry partners. The Centre aims to build research capacity in integrated photonics and semiconductor technologies in the Northwest and border regions, contributing to the development of Ireland’s and Northern Ireland’s deep-tech innovation ecosystem. It seeks to train the next generation of engineers to support growth in sectors such as healthcare, telecommunications, advanced manufacturing, and edge sensor networks.

We may create a 12-month waiting list for same or similar roles within the Department / Faculty. The University reserves the right to extend the waiting list across the University if required for certain posts.

- ABOUT YOU -

The postholder will be required to have:

- A Degree or MSc (or equivalent qualification) in Optical Engineering/Photonics, Electronics/Electrical, Physics, Mathematics, or a closely related science-based subject area.
- A PhD in Photonics, Optical Engineering, Physics, Electronic Engineering or a closely related subject area.
- Strong knowledge in the integration of photonic components with electronic systems, i.e. including signal conditioning and sensing.

Please find our employee benefits here: Employee Services & Benefits (ulster.ac.uk)

Athena Swan Statement

The School of Computing, Engineering & Intelligent Systems holds a Bronze Athena SWAN Award in recognition of our commitment to advancing Gender equality in higher education. You can read more about what this means at https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/equality-charters/transformed-uk-athena-swan-charter and on our University website https://www.ulster.ac.uk/peopleandculture/employee-benefits/equality-diversity/athena-swan. The University has a range of initiatives to support a family-friendly working environment, including flexible working.

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities. Appointment will be made on merit.

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