Job Description

Job Category: Research
Degree Level: First Degree
:
Research Assistant in Laser Material Processing
Directorate: School of Engineering & Physical Sciences
Grade: Grade 6 (30,805 - 36,130) pro rata
Contract Type: Part Time (0.5FTE), Fixed Term (6 Weeks)
Rewards and Benefits: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday) for all full time staff. Part time workers should pro rata this by their FTE. Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University
Detailed Description
The Research Assistant (RA) will work on ultrashort laser materials processing, specifically evaluating the importance of fluence for determining thresholds in glass and metal processing with an ultra-short pulse laser.
This is a short term project associated with an impact accelerator grant involving an industry partner. The objective of the project is to demonstrate a novel laser based manufacturing technique by producing a prototype glass device.
The role of the RA on this project will be to determine suitable laser pulse parameters for laser material processing as a baseline for the PDRA work in laser material welding. The successful candidate will be required to rapidly embrace the body of knowledge vested in the research teams and will grasp the technical challenges of developing and demonstrating precision laser-based processing.
Research Environment
They will work directly with Dr. Richard Carter (project lead) as well as PDRAs and other RA's working on the project. Most of the project will be executed in the High-power Laser Applications Laboratories in the National Robotarium at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh.
Key Duties and Responsibilities

• We are looking for creative and highly motivated researchers willing to work as part of a team. Good communication skills and enthusiasm are essential.

• General tasks will involve scientific research; analysis and interpretation of data; communication with other investigators involved in this collaborative project; presentation of research at partnership workshops and meetings.

• The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to experimental design and procedure as part in a collaborative decision-making process, while taking responsibility for implementing experiments, theoretical models (where appropriate) and data analysis.

• Responsibilities will also include assistance in the day-to-day maintenance of the experimental facilities and liaising with external collaborators.

• This is a campus-based role that is not suitable for remote working.

Education, Qualifications and Experience
Education & Qualifications: Essential Criteria

• A minimum of 2:1 in undergraduate Physics BSc or similar.

• Ability to articulate research work, both in written technical reports / papers and by oral presentation.

• Must have proven academic ability and a demonstrable technical competence in experimental science and the analysis / modelling of the results.

• Ability to formulate and progress work on their own initiative with evidence of research ability: problem solving, flexibility.

Skills & Experience: Essential Criteria

• Demonstrating experimental skills.

• Experience in contributing to the writing of scientific reports.

• Understand and adhere to information security practices particularly as it relates to personal and commercially sensitive information.

• Energy and enthusiasm for the project.

Education & Qualifications: Desirable Criteria

• Experience in any of these areas:

• Laser-based materials processing with high power / ultra-short-pulse lasers.

• Optical or Laser system design and development.

• Laser system modelling.

• Machine learning.

Skills & Experience: Desirable Criteria

• Previous experience working in a laser applications research environment.

Nationality, Residency & Place of Work
This is a campus-based role that is not suitable for remote working: Must be able to work as part of a team on the experiments at Heriot-Watt in Edinburgh, and take part in face-to-face meetings & workshops with the collaborators of the project.
About our Team
Heriot-Watt University is leading the development of high-power lasers, with potential applications in industrial material processing and defence. Also, Heriot-Watt is pioneering the development of laser-based manufacturing processes and applications and successfully transferring these to a wide range of industrial sectors.
The High Power Laser Applications (HPLA) group under the lead of Prof Hand and Dr Carter is part of the dynamic, multi-national Applied Optics and Photonics Group (AOP: http://www.aop.hw.ac.uk/) at Heriot-Watt University. The HPLA group uses a wide range of laser sources (from CW through to ultra-short pulsed lasers) to address research challenges in laser-based manufacturing.
Travel
No travel is expected as part of this project.
About Heriot-Watt
Heriot-Watt University has established a reputation for world-class teaching and leading-edge, relevant research, which has made it one of the top UK universities for innovation, business and industry.
Nearly 30,000 students study with Heriot-Watt across business, engineering, design and the social, physical, biological and sports sciences. Our student body is roughly split evenly between the UK, our two campuses in Dubai and Malaysia, and online, with the latter being distributed across almost all the countries of the world. We also have many partnerships with other institutions world-wide who award Heriot-Watt degrees.
The School of Engineering & Physical Sciences has an international research reputation and close connection with the professional and industrial world of science, engineering and technology. Our research ranges from fundamental sciences through to engineering applications, all of which are supported by strong external funding. We have around 150 full-time academic staff who drive this research activity and are based in 5 research institutes: the Institute of Chemical Sciences, the Institute of Photonics & Quantum Sciences, the Institute of Mechanical, Process & Energy Engineering, the Institute of Sensors, Signals & Systems and the Institute of Biological Chemistry, BioPhysics & BioEngineering. REF2014 named Heriot-Watt in the top 25% of UK universities, with 82% of our research ranked as world-leading or internationally excellent. Heriot-Watt ranked 9th university in the UK and 1st in Scotland for research impact.
The School of Engineering & Physical Sciences has received the Bronze Award from the Athena SWAN Charter recognising excellence in championing employment of women in the fields of science and technology, engineering and mathematics.
In addition, we deliver teaching across 6 undergraduate and post-graduate programmes: Chemistry; Physics; Electrical, Electronic & Computer Engineering; Chemical Engineering; Mechanical Engineering and Brewing & Distilling. In the 2019 National Student Survey Heriot-Watt University was ranked 35th in the UK. 90% of our students were satisfied overall with their course in over half of the University's subject areas. At subject area level the School ranked in the top 10 UK universities for Physics and we were 3rd in Scotland for Chemistry and 2nd for Mechanical Engineering and 1st in Scotland for Chemical Engineering.
How to Apply
Please submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing their interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV
Applications can be submitted until midnight on Wednesday 23rd July 2025.
For further information and an informal discussion, please contact Dr Richard Carter via email -
At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.
Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.
Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.
Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/ .
We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.
Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.