Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Trapped Molecular Ions

Location: Clarendon Laboratory Building, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PU 

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Postdoctoral Research Assistant in the Department of Physics. 

Reporting to the Principal Investigator (Jacob Blackmore). The post holder will be a member of a research group with responsibility for carrying out research towards the operation of a trapped molecular ion quantum simulator based around Sr+/SrF+. This role will include the design of laser systems, UHV assemblies and operation of a trapped ion experiment. The post holder will be heavily involved in the design and development of the entire system and laboratory. It is expected that the post holder will take the lead in many measurements to demonstrate its capabilities. 

The post holder is expected to have knowledge of atomic and/or molecular spectroscopy; laser-cooling; quantum physics; and the operation of complex trapped ion, cold atom or molecule; or similar experiments. It is desirable that the post holder has experience of UHV assembly procedures; the artiq control system; the theory of diatomic molecules; the design of external cavity diode lasers.

The post holder provides guidance to less experienced members of the research group, including postdocs, research assistants, technicians, and PhD and project students. It is desirable that the post holder has experience in this area. 

As part of the trapped ion group at the department of physics the post holder will be able to collaborate with a wide variety of skilled scientists across career stages and will be supported throughout the post. At present, the group consists of 8 experiments led by 5 independent PIs. 

What We Offer

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing, and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including: 

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days annual leave
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle loan scheme
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
• Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs

About the Role 

The postholder will manage their own academic research and administrative activities, develop ideas for generating research income and present detailed research proposals to senior researchers. They will also collaborate in the preparation of scientific reports and journal articles and occasionally present papers and posters and represent the group at external meetings/seminars, either with other group members or alone.

About You

The successful applicant will hold or be close to completion of a relevant PhD, have excellent communication skills, including the ability to write for publication. They will also have experience with atomic and/or molecular spectroscopy and a working knowledge of quantum physics and laser cooling.

Application Process

For further details about the role, please see the job description. You will be required to upload a supporting statement, CV, and the details of two referees as part of your online application.

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Thursday, 21 May 2026. Interviews are expected to be held in mid-June.

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