Research Associate in Perovskite Photonic Devices

Research Associate in Perovskite Photonic Devices

Job Title: Research Associate in Perovskite Photonic Devices Posting Start Date: 03/11/2026 School/Department: Mathematical & Physical Sciences Work Arrangement: Full Time (Hybrid) Contract Type: Fixed-term Salary per annum (£): 39,560 - 41,885 Closing Date: 01/12/2026

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We seek a Physicist / Physical Chemist / Materials Scientist with expertise in the fabrication and optimisation of perovskite light emitting diodes (LEDs). This project is funded by the Leverhulme Foundation and is fundamental in nature. The aim of the research is to develop optical structures based on perovskite materials that are able to undergo optical amplification, and lasing. In particular, we wish to develop devices that (i) realise electrically pumped condensation and optical gain in perovskite microcavities, and (ii) to generate optical solitons (non dispersive wavepackets) in perovskite waveguides and ring resonators, using laser excitation.

Your role will be to synthesize and characterise high quality 2D and 3D perovskite thin films - for example CsPbBr 3 or PEA2PbI 4 , which you will engineer into light emitting resonant cavity diode (RCLED) devices. You will characterise the optical properties of structures you make using CW spectroscopy, with emission also measured following electrical excitation. In a parallel strand, you will also use nanopatterning and other lithography techniques to fabricate optical waveguide structures in perovskite thin films. Experience in the development of perovskite light emitting devices is therefore critical for this role. You will collaborate very closely with a second postdoctoral researcher who will perform ultra fast spectroscopic measurements on the materials, devices and photonic structures that you will develop.

The project is run by Prof David Lidzey, and involves both inorganic and organic ultra fast spectroscopists (Prof Dima Krizhanovskii and Prof Jenny Clark), and materials chemist Dr Alex Ramadan. Experience in the fabrication and testing of ultra high brightness perovskite LEDs will be critical for this role. You will need to be able to synthesise the perovskite materials you make and then characterise their structural and optoelectronic properties. Experience of the development of photonic devices, optical gratings and photonic waveguides, or optical modelling approaches using transfer matrix models or FTDT approaches is also desirable.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Design, develop and refine experiments in order to obtain reliable data.
• Carry out experimental research, including the use of chemicals and solvents.
• Fabricate and characterise 2D and 3D perovskite films using structural and optical tools.
• Fabricate high brightness resonant cavity light emitting diodes and characterise their emission.
• Develop processes to perform micro and nanolithography of perovskite thin films, and characterise the structure of the patterned photonic devices.
• Prepare papers for journals/presentations either in house or at national/international conferences or seminars to disseminate research findings.
• Write progress reports and present work at project meetings.
• Read academic papers, journals and textbooks and attend conferences to keep abreast of developments.
• Plan for specific aspects of research programmes.
• If given a particular hypothesis to examine, plan for your own contribution up to 3 months ahead, incorporating issues such as the availability of resources, deadlines, project milestones and overall research aims. Design individual experiments weekly.
• Interact effectively with other members of the project team, sharing data and expertise and working together to reach project objectives.
• Supervise research team/activities if required.
• Continuously monitor and check results. The unpredictability of research means that daily planning is required to accommodate new developments.
• Plan several months in advance to meet deadlines for journal publications and to prepare presentations and papers for conferences.
• As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and are respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to