Research Fellow in Terahertz Devices Fabrication

About us

The Photonics Group of the UCL Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering wishes to appoint a Research Fellow to work in the field of Terahertz devices fabrications with a particular interest in application in the ultrahigh capacity wireless communications. The devices are key to the development of a number of programmes within the group with a potential to apply the components developed in state of the art communication systems. In this programme, we will develop the first integrated high throughput wireless communication systems operating at terahertz carrier frequencies, between 2-5 THz, using Quantum Cascade Lasers QCLs. The advantage of using a terahertz carrier relative to microwave frequency carriers is the much greater available bandwidth, and hence higher data rate, that can be supported. We will demonstrate a two orders-of-magnitude increase in data rates over state-of-the-art radio frequency and microwave systems, beyond 100Gbit/s and towards 1 Tbit/s. UCL is p art of wider consortium of institutions as part of the TERACOM project alongside the University of Leeds and the University of Cambridge.

About the role

The UCL Photonics Group has world-leading expertise and experimental facilities in THz communication systems development. The work will involve the fabrication of THz devices, in particular their world leading waveguide uni-travelling carrier photodiodes to feed into an experimental testbed for communications experiment as well as a key element for frequency and phase locking of Quantum cascade laser sources. The post holder will be responsible for fabrication of the components and their testing and will work in collaboration with other members of the team to implement their demonstration within the testbed as well as packaging some of the fabricated components.

The post is available until 31st December 2027 in the first instance. Further funding to support the post may be available.

About you

Candidates should have a PhD (or about to submit) in Photonics, Electronic / Electrical Engineering or a closely related field (e.g. Physics, Computer Science). They should possess a track record of high-level research in THz systems, physical layer wireless communications systems, digital signal processing, or quantum cascade lasers, and an in-depth knowledge of III-V semiconductor fabrication techniques and processes. Practical experience of RF, THz or optical communication systems is essential, as well as experience of programming (e.g. MATLAB, Python) and/or relevant technical software packages (e.g. CST Studio, COMSOL).

Experience using closed loop cryogenic systems is desirable.

Application details:

• Applications close on 28th February at 23:59

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits.

Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/rewards-and-benefits to find out more

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.

Our department holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality.

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