Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Research Associate AION Project Department/Division/Faculty: High Energy Physics, Department of Physics, Faculty of Natural Sciences Campus location: South Kensington Campus with regular travel throughout the United Kingdom, and international travel Job Family/Level: Research Family, Research Associate* Responsible to: Professor Oliver Buchmueller, Professor of Physics Key Working Relationships: Academic staff, Research Associates, PhD students, (internal) Mechanical and Electronic Engineers) Key Working Relationships Members of the AION collaboration (external) Contract type: Full-time, Fixed-term post for two years in the first instance, with the possibility of extension dependent on future funding.

Purpose of the Post

• The primary focus will be on the novel Atom Interferometer Observatory and Network (AION) project (website, paper), where the group has major responsibilities in building a new Ultracold Strontium Laboratory at Imperial and to perform essential research and development of the underlying Strontium atom interferometry.

The AION project was recently funded by EPSRC and STFC via the Quantum Technology for Fundamental Science (QTFP) call. This programme will deliver deployable quantum technology to study dark matter and gravitational waves by constructing 10m and 100m scale instruments, paving the way for a km-scale facility, and eventually a spaced based detector.

The institutions involved in AION are: , , (lead), Kings College London, , , and STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, In addition, the project is in partnership with UK National Quantum Technology Hub in Sensors and Timing, Birmingham, UK, the MAGIS Collaboration, US and the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, US. • • The post will be based primarily in London, with work also taking place at other AION sites in the UK and MAGIS in the US. The London experiment will focus on the challenge of minimising atom shot noise, through the fast creation of large, cold, squeezed samples of Sr. The proposed experimental methods include: (1) cavity-based quantum nondemolition measurement to create squeezed states, using high, near-uniform atom-cavity cooperativity to approach the limits of unitary squeezing; (2) the continuous preparation of large samples of ultracold Sr, replacing time-separated cooling stages by stages separated in space or by internal atomic state. • The successful applicant will build on the High Energy Physics and Quantum Optics and Laser Science groups significant existing experience as well as the diverse expertise in the AION collaboration to help produce independent and original research, to build the new Ultra-Cold Strontium Laboratory, and to support the work and management of the AION work package hosted at Imperial . •

Job Description

• To fully engage in the research activities of the Group by working together with postgraduate students, other research associates and academics

This project would involve a high degree of teamwork and interdisciplinary research.

Key Responsibilities

The main duties of the post will include:

• To take initiatives in the Imperial part of the AION project • To take initiatives in the planning of research • To direct the work of small research teams including undergraduate and postgraduate students • To design and supervise the construction of the Imperial cold atom apparatus • To work collaboratively with all AION teams in Sr lab development and research • To identify and develop suitable techniques, and apparatus, for the collection and analysis of data • To ensure the validity and reliability of data at all times • To maintain accurate and complete records of all findings • To write regular (monthly) internal reports • To write reports for submission to research sponsors • To prepare material for presentation in oral and poster formats • To present findings to colleagues and at conferences • To draft publications and prepare them for submission to refereed journals • To submit publications to refereed journals • To contribute to writing bids for research grants • To provide guidance to staff and students • To undertake instruction of PhD students as agreed • To supervise practical work and advise students on techniques • To take responsibility for organising resources and effective decision making in support of research • To attend relevant workshops and conferences as necessary • To develop contacts and research collaborations within the College and the wider community • To promote the reputation of the Group, the Department and the College

Other Duties:

• To undertake appropriate administration tasks • To attend relevant meetings • To undertake any necessary training and/or development • To maintain safe workplace practice and procedures in accordance with the requirements of Health and Safety legislation • To maintain an up to date knowledge of relevant statutory Health and Safety legislation and recommendations and attend safety training as required. • To participate in the outreach activities of the Group • To voluntarily undertake limited teaching duties in joint agreement with the Department of Physics • Where Imperial or funder conditions necessitate to complete timesheets for work on projects

*Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant within the salary range £35,477 - £38,566 per annum.

Job Description

Person Specification

Requirements Essential Candidates/post holders will be expected to demonstrate the following (E)/ Desirable (D)

Education Research Assistant: Near completion of a PhD (or equivalent) in Experimental E Physics or a closely related discipline Research Associate: Hold a PhD (or equivalent) in Experimental Physics or a E closely related discipline Knowledge & Experience A strong background in experimental atomic, molecular and optical physics E Technical knowledge of CW laser systems and the control of laser light E Experience in leadership or evidence of future leadership potential E A strong research record with clearly defined individual contributions, E commensurate with career stage Experience in taking initiative and/or developing own ideas independently E Experience working with cold atoms or molecules D Experience in simulation of experiments D A strong background in data analysis methods D A strong background in the construction of new apparatus D Experience using cold atoms for precision measurement (e.g. D interferometry/clocks) or in cavity QED systems Experience with ultra-high vacuum systems and mechanical design D Experience with analog electronics, RF electronics, and control loops D Experience with laser frequency stabilisation D Experience with data acquisition hardware and software D Experience of working in the environment of a large international science D collaboration Skills & Abilities Ability to keep accurate records of research results and activity E Ability to exercise initiative and judgement in carrying out research tasks E Ability to conduct a detailed review of recent literature E Ability to develop and apply new concepts E Ability to develop new instrumentation E Creative approach to problem-solving E Excellent verbal communication skills and the ability to deal with a wide range of E people Excellent written communication skills and the ability to write clearly and succinctly E for publication Ability to organise own work with minimal supervision E Ability to prioritise own work in response to deadlines E Ability to direct the work of a small research team and motivate others to produce E a high standard of work High level analytical capability E Ability to communicate complex information clearly E Ability to apply relevant models, techniques and methods and develop new ones E Ability to assess resource requirements and deploy them effectively E Ability to encourage research culture in others E Advanced programming skills, including LaTeX, C#, Mathematica, Labview, D Python, and familiarity with object-orientated programming Familiarity with software version control (e.g. git) and documentation D Other Requirements Willingness to work as part of a team and to be open-minded and cooperative E

Job Description Commitment to meeting deadlines E Commitment to maintaining and enhancing facilities and training others in their E use Flexible attitude towards work E Discipline and regard for confidentiality and security at all times E Willingness to undertake any necessary training for the role E Willingness to travel both within the United Kingdom and abroad to conduct E research and attend conferences/workshops and other meetings

Please note that job descriptions cannot be exhaustive and the post-holder may be required to undertake other duties, which are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.

Imperial College is committed to equality of opportunity and to eliminating discrimination. All employees are expected to follow the 7 Imperial Expectations detailed below:

1) Champion a positive approach to change and opportunity 2) Encourage inclusive participation and eliminate discrimination 3) Communicate regularly and effectively within and across teams 4) Consider the thoughts and expectations of others 5) Deliver positive outcomes 6) Develop and grow skills and expertise 7) Work in a planned and managed way

Employees are also required to comply with all College policies and regulations paying special attention to: • Confidentiality Financial Regulations Private Engagements • Conflict of Interest Health and Safety and Register of Interests • Data Protection Information Technology • Equal Opportunities Smoking

They must also undertake specific training and assume responsibility for safety relevant to specific roles, as set out on the College Website Health and Safety Structure and Responsibilities page.

The College is a proud signatory to the San-Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions, we evaluate applicants on the quality of their work, not the journal impact factor where it is published. For more information, see https://www.imperial.ac.uk/research- and-innovation/about-imperial-research/research-evaluation/

The College believes that the use of animals in research is vital to improve human and animal health and welfare. Animals may only be used in research programmes where their use is shown to be necessary for developing new treatments and making medical advances. Imperial is committed to ensuring that, in cases where this research is deemed essential, all animals in the College’s care are treated with full respect, and that all staff involved with this work show due consideration at every level. http://www.imperial.ac.uk/research-and-innovation/about-imperial- research/research-integrity/animal- research/

Committed to equality and valuing diversity, we are an IoP JUNO Practitioner and an Athena SWAN Silver Award winner, a Stonewall Diversity Champion, a Disability Confident Employer and work in partnership with GIRES to promote respect for trans people. The Department of Physics is an IoP JUNO Champion and an Athena Silver SWAN Award winner reflecting our commitment to building a supportive, inclusive and highly motivated community.

November 2020