Research Associate in Strong Light-Matter Coupling


Company:	University of Sheffield
Salary:	Not specified
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Sheffield, S10 2TN
Job type:	Temporary
Posting date:	29 Oct 2026
Closing date:	26 Nov 2026

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Summary

University of Sheffield

Do you enjoy exciting, cross-disciplinary research?

We have an opening for a physical scientist with expertise in strong light-matter coupling within a team of 13 researchers spread across the Universities of Sheffield and Bristol working on a £7.3 M collaborative project funded by EPSRC and led by Prof Graham Leggett. The aim of our five-year programme is to develop a new modular approach to the creation of photonic materials, inspired by structures found in biological photosynthetic membranes. Our cross-disciplinary team has expertise that spans synthetic biology, photosynthesis, synthetic chemistry, nanotechnology, polymer science, plasmonics, molecular physics physics and theory.

Your role will be to work in collaboration with researchers in Sheffield to develop an understanding of how the molecular architectures of the biologically-inspired materials that we are designing can regulate light-matter coupling. You will make spectroscopic measurements, investigating coupling of both silicon nitride resonators and cavity modes to excitons in our molecular photonic breadboards. You will measure the angle-resolved dispersions of coupled modes, and model the data using FDTD methods. Working with collaborators, you will help to develop new materials designed to achieve efficient, long-range transfer of excitation.

Educated to PhD level in physics, materials science or engineering, you will have experience of nanophotonics, spectroscopy and modelling methods for investigating strong light-matter coupling.

You can view more details about the post and our project by visiting: https://www.breadboards.org/

What We Offer

● 41 days annual leave (including closure days and Bank Holidays), with the possibility to purchase up to ten additional days.

● Up to 5 days of paid time off to cover emergency caring responsibilities.

● A highly competitive pension scheme.

● Discounts at participating shops and cinemas, and a cycle to work scheme.

● A commitment to your development, with programmes, learning modules and mentoring schemes.

● An inclusive and diverse workplace.

● A commitment to your wellbeing, with confidential emotional support, support for those going through the menopause, experiencing fertility treatment and having a baby, paid leave for IVF treatment and more.

Further information can be found at https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits

We build teams of people from different heritages and lifestyles from across the world, whose talent and contributions complement each other to greatest effect. We believe diversity in all its forms delivers greater impact through research, teaching and student experience.

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