Research Fellow (110515-0925)

For informal enquiries, please contact James Lloyd-Hughes (Professor) at j.lloyd-hughes@warwick.ac.uk.

Flexible Working 

• We will consider applications for employment on a part-time or other flexible working basis (e.g. job share), despite the position being advertised as full-time.

The Department of Physics seeks to appoint up to two Research Fellows to join the Ultrafast and Terahertz Photonics group at the University of Warwick (go.warwick.ac.uk/terahertz), to work on projects creating novel THz devices and technology, and deploying these systems in scientific applications including ultrafast spectroscopy and biomedical imaging.

A particular focus will be on developing adaptive THz components that can be actively controlled and automated, leading to a dramatic improvement in the usability and performance of THz spectroscopy and imaging methods. The project will utilise the group’s advanced multi-pixel THz technologies as well as novel sources of THz and far-infrared radiation available in the Warwick Centre for Ultrafast Spectroscopy (go.warwick.ac.uk/ultrafast) and at our collaborators in the UK and Germany. The Research Fellows will be part of a dynamic and active team at Warwick working on a variety of topics in the ultrafast and terahertz science and technology, and will have the opportunity for extended visits to our partners in academic groups, at international beamline facilities and in industry.

The posts are available with a fixed term 2-year contract, with the possibility of extension, and a start date late in 2025 or early 2026.

You are encouraged to apply if you have expertise in THz time-domain spectroscopy or related THz techniques, or relevant experience developing or using ultrafast laser methods in scientific applications, such as pump/probe spectroscopy or multidimensional coherent spectroscopy. Applicants with experience in photonic device fabrication in a semiconductor clean room environment can also be considered. You will be an excellent communicator capable of working effectively both independently and as part of a research team. You will possess excellent planning and time management skills to ensure your research objectives are achieved effectively.

For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description attached as a PDF below.

The Ultrafast and Terahertz Photonics Group

The Ultrafast and Terahertz Photonics group currently comprises 5 members of staff (Lloyd-Hughes, MacPherson, Milot, Woolley, Wright) and investigates a wide range of topics including medical imaging, technique and device development, and spectroscopy of novel materials. Group members have access to the Warwick Centre for Ultrafast Spectroscopy (WCUS), a Research Technology Platform at the University of Warwick with >40 users per year.  WCUS houses facilities for optical pump/THz probe (OPTP) and THz pump/THz probe (TPTP) spectroscopies in addition to IR and UV-vis pump-probe and steady-state techniques. More information on the Ultrafast and Terahertz Photonics group can be found at go.warwick.ac.uk/wcus and go.warwick.ac.uk/ultrafast.

Department of Physics

The post will be based in the Department of Physics, a vibrant academic department with over 200 academic, research, technical and professional services staff, over 800 undergraduate students and 200 postgraduate research students.

We are proud of our diverse community of staff, students, and visitors, and are committed to maintaining excellence in both teaching and research by promoting equality of  opportunity for all, within a culture of mutual respect and dignity.

We are pleased to hold an Athena SWAN Silver Award, recognising our ongoing work to advance gender equality  for all staff and students. We also hold an Institute of Physics Inclusion Award in support of our commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment. 

Further information about working in the Department of Physics and the benefits available can be found at www.warwick.ac.uk/physics/staff/working/.

The University supports flexible working and requests for part-time working or job-share will be considered where possible.

Childcare for interviews

Childcare can be provided for you at the University of Warwick Nursery (www.warwick.ac.uk/services/childrensservices/nursery) in order for you to attend the interview. Childcare is subject to availability of places at the Nursery.

We are a world-leading research-intensive university founded in 1965. We are ranked 67th in the world and 10th in the UK. 92% of our research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent.*

Find out more about us on our website.

* QS World University Rankings 2024, Research Excellence Framework 2021

CLOSING DEADLINE: Thursday 25th September 2025 at 23:55 (BST)

To apply, please click "Apply" below and submit an application form by the closing deadline. You will be asked to include a CV and a cover letter.

Your CV should include:

• Your education and employment history (including your most recent employment).
• Any other relevant experience (e.g. volunteering, extracurricular, etc.).

Your cover letter should explain:

• Your motivations for applying to the role.
• Using examples, how you meet the essential and desirable criteria detailed in the job description (PDF attached below).

All essential criteria must be met by candidates who are invited to interview.

You are welcome to include details of any career breaks (e.g. parental leave, caring responsibilities, sick leave).

For guidance on writing a cover letter, see here.

• Interview Date: October 2025
• Desired Start Date: Late 2025 or Early 2026

Please note application forms must be submitted before the stated deadline - you will not be able to submit after 23:55 (even if you opened the form earlier). Only applications submitted via our official careers portal (warwick-careers.tal.net) will be considered.

We provide a comprehensive range of benefits, including:

• An attractive pension scheme.
• 30 days holiday plus University Christmas closure.
• Generous parental/adoption leave policy.
• Onsite childcare facilities.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.

We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer access to flexible working arrangements. For more information, see here.

We are proud to be a Living Wage employer.

Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion

Warwick is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and respectful community where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, cultures, and communities, and actively encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.

Find out more about our Social Inclusion work at Warwick.

Find out more about our awards and accreditations.

We are also one of the six founder institutions of the EUTOPIA European University Alliance.

Safeguarding & DBS

The University of Warwick is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those we work with.

• Roles involving regulated activity are subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at the appropriate level, in line with the DBS Code of Practice.
• The University will ensure that anyone subject to a barring order does not undertake any work with the barred group (children and/or adults).
• All employees, volunteers, and partners are expected to share our commitment to safeguarding.

Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders

The University will not discriminate against applicants who make a disclosure relating to a conviction.

Disclosures at application stage are only visible to the DBS team, not to hiring panels. This ensures fairness and removes bias from the shortlisting process.