Postdoctoral Research Associate

Working at Durham University

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The Role and Department

The successful candidate will be working in the Durham University Space Research Centre (SPARC) and the Centre for Advanced Instrumentation (CfAI) in the Department on Physics.

SPARC is a new research centre connecting experts across space technology, operations, governance and security. We are founded on the principle of open, rigorous and independent research to grow the capacity and capabilities of space applications while protecting the space environment for present and future generations. Our vision encompasses not only the pursuit of cutting-edge technologies but also the holistic understanding of space and its broader societal, ethical, and environmental impacts. Through responsible, multi-disciplinary research, including novel sensors, environment modelling, machine learning, governance and operations, we aim to address the complex challenges and opportunities of space exploration.

CfAI is a large research group in the Department of Physics at Durham University with approximately seventy staff and research students. CfAI's mission is to design and develop novel instrumentation based on cutting edge technologies. CfAI develops state-of-the-art ground and space-based instruments for applications across a wide range of disciplines including adaptive optics, spectroscopy, biophysics, remote sensing, laser communications, and fusion diagnostics. We host the ESA affiliated lab on free-space optics.

CfAI has provided major instruments for many of the world's leading astronomical facilities including the James Webb Space Telescope, William Herschel Telescope, Gemini Telescopes, Southern African Large Telescope and the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope. Major current ground-based instrumentation projects in CfAI include HARMONI and MOSAIC, the first-light spectrograph and multi-object spectrograph for the upcoming 39m diameter Extremely Large Telescope.

The Role

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Free-Space Optics group. Satellite communications systems promise ubiquitous networks, but are fundamentally limited by spectrum availability, potential bandwidth and security resulting from the use Radio Frequencies for communications. Free Space Optical Communications offer an exciting technology which can provide a high bandwidth gateway to the satellite network, free of licensing requirements. In addition, point to point optical links are more secure that radio links where signal diverges over a large area, and can be further secured by Quantum Encryption techniques. On the other hand, optical links are affected by clouds (overcome by making various sites on the ground available) and turbulence in the atmosphere. Atmospheric turbulence introduces optical link instability, which if not compensated, negate the advantages of the optical link.

CfAI at Durham University has been developing Adaptive Optics systems for a number of decades to mitigate the effects of atmospheric turbulence on optical systems. Originally targeted to astronomy, optical communications is now a key activity for the group. We focus on tackling problems associated with very "strong" daytime turbulence, how to create a stable bi-direction optical link (also up to the satellite), and how to package these advanced technologies in compact and resilient modules to prove their commercial viability. In addition to actively compensating the turbulence, we also research the statistical theory behind the generation of turbulence and its effect on optical beams, develop software tools to simulate light propagation through the atmosphere, and create new and novel instrumentation to measure it in the field.

In this role, the successful candidate will lead the installation of a new optical ground station facility at Durham University. This station will be key to demonstrating the new turbulence mitigation techniques developed at CfAI and assessing their performance. This will involve various practical tasks to install design and install the station. There is significant freedom to develop and then test future turbulence mitigation or characterisation techniques using the group's simulation tools, then testing on the new station.

Key responsibilities:

• To understand and convey material of a specialist or highly technical nature to the team or group of people through presentations and discussions that leads to the presentation of research papers in conferences and publications.
• To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences which may include research sponsors, academic and non-academic audiences.
• To publish high quality outputs, including papers for submission to peer reviewed journals and papers for presentation at conferences and workshops under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
• To assist with the development of research objectives and proposals.
• To conduct individual and collaborative research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
• To work with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and other colleagues in the research group, as appropriate, to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.
• To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and offering creative or innovative solutions.
• To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.
• To plan and manage own research activity, research resources in collaboration with others and contribute to the planning of research projects.
• To deliver training in research techniques/approaches to peers, visitors and students as appropriate.
• To be involved in student supervision, as appropriate, and assist with the assessment of the knowledge of students.
• To contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect.
• To engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.
• To engage in continuing professional development by participation in the undergraduate or postgraduate teaching programmes or by membership of departmental committees, etc. and by attending relevant training and development courses.

This post is fixed term for two years to coincide with funding from the University to support the project.

The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.

Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by 1st January 2027.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:

· You'll receive 30 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 42 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year. ...