Reader (Associate Professor)/Professor in Optical Fibres

The Department of Physics at the University of Bath is seeking to appoint a Reader (Associate Professor)/Professor in Optical Fibres who will contribute to and expand the capabilities of the department in this research area and be a full member of the Department & of the Optical Fibres Group as well as the Centre for Photonics. We are looking to strengthen research into the design and fabrication of new kinds of hollow-core fibres, nonlinear properties of the fibres, as well as applications of hollow-core and photonic crystal fibres for emerging quantum technologies, quantum computing, novel light sources, and medical and bio-medical applications of novel fibres.

About the role

This role offers an ambitious and excellent candidate the chance to develop their career in a supportive & dynamic environment, making use of the excellent opportunities and facilities (including the fibre fabrication facility) at the University for this area of research.You will become a part of the vibrant community of researchers in optical fibres within the Department. Research within the group is often highly collaborative and involves use of shared facilities. 

The role is to establish your independent research activity, in the broader field of optical fibres in an area aligned with both University &  funder priorities.

The role includes management/leadership & teaching responsibilities.

The salary for this position starts from £58,225 (Reader) & from £84,668 (Professor).

The University of Bath is a leading research-intensive University. In the recent REF2021 assessment, 96% of the Department’s submitted research activity was judged world-leading or internationally excellent in terms of originality, significance, & rigour. The Department consists of over 40 academic staff with over 80 postdoctoral researchers & PhD students, and graduates approximately 130 undergraduate students each year. Both the Department and the University are committed to providing a supportive and inclusive working environment. The Department aims to become both more diverse and more inclusive, candidates from underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged to apply.

Optical fibres research at the University dates from the mid-1990’s, with a dedicated fibre fabrication facility having been established in 1998. This facility is unique in the UK in being dedicated to microstructure & hollow-core optical fibres.

Over the years, the university’s research in this area has led directly to the development of several new industries & numerous companies. Our track record of innovative and successful research has led to many highly-cited papers and to highly-rated REF impact case studies.

Application information

In addition to the application form, please upload the following for the second shortlisting stage:

• your CV
• a statement describing proposed research activities and including comments on your fit to the department
• your plans regarding research funding (maximum two pages A4)
• a statement discussing your approach to undergraduate teaching (maximum one page A4)

Further information

For informal discussions about the role please contact:

Jonathan Knight pysjck@bath.ac.uk; William Wadsworth pyswjw@bath.ac.uk; Kristina Rusimova krr22@bath.ac.uk

This role is offered on a full- ime basis (36.5 hours per week) with an expected start date in Autumn 2026.

We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equity and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. 

We're very proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant. an accredited Disability Confident Leader; autism friendly university, committed to building disability confidence & supporting disabled staff. 

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