Job Description

Role: Research Assistant in Ultrashort Pulse Laser Welding of Glass

Directorate:aEUR

School of Engineering & Physical SciencesaEUR

Grade:

aEURGrade 6 - 31,236 - 36,636

Contract Type:aEUR

Full Time (1FTE), Fixed Term (3 Months)aEUR

Rewards and Benefits:aEUR

33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday) for all full time staff. 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 UniversityaEUR

Detailed Description

The Research Assistant will work onaEUR

developing and demonstrating ultra-short pulse laser processing of glass,

specifically fused silica with the potential for other high performance glasses.aEUR


This is part of an impact accelerator project with a UK based industrial partner. The aim of the project is to: investigate ultra-short pulse laser processing using modified Bessel-beams and selective etching, determine suitable laser parameters for the desired glass manufacturing process, and to produce a prototype device for the industrial partner.


The project is in close collaboration with our industrial partner as well as a PDRA who will be working on the same project as well as a team of academic supervisors.aEURaEUR


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 co-lead), Dr Calum Ross (project co-lead), Prof M J Daniel Esser, Prof Duncan Hand, and Dr Adrian Dzipalski.aEURThe majority of the work will be carried out within the Precision Laser Application Labs at the National Robotarium although some work may also take place in the Photonic Instrumentation Group or the Laser Device Physics and Engineering Group.

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 an appropriate publication record are essential.aEUR 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, and data analysis.aEUR Responsibilities will also include assistance in the day-to-day maintenance of the experimental facilities, liaising with external collaborators; assisting in the development of student research skills.aEUR Is there room to grow? We encourage our researchers to find and follow their passion. We offer fantastic opportunities for learning, development and professional growth. This project will provide hands-on insight into, and potentially lead to, career opportunities at Leonardo. This is a chance of reinventing and developing your technical skillset during this exciting, challenging project. Learning on the job isn't just a benefit : it's a must.aEUR


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

Education, Qualifications and Experience

aEUR


Education & Qualifications: Essential Criteria aEUR


A First Class Bachelors of Engineering or Physics.aEUR
Skills & Experience: Essential Criteria aEUR


Experience with relevant laser-based materials processing. Demonstrating strong experimental skills.aEUR Experience in contributing to the writing of scientific papers. 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 aEUR


An Engineering Doctorate or PhD covering several of these areas: aEUR Laser-based materials processing with high power / ultra-short-pulse lasers.aEUR Optical or Laser system design and development.aEUR System engineering principles and processes.aEUR Training in Computer Aided Design (CAD) & Modelling.aEUR
Skills & Experience: Desirable Criteria aEUR


Previous experience working in a laser applications research environment.aEUR Demonstrating skills & experience in topics relevant to the project, including several of the following:aEURaEUR

Ultra-fast-laser-welding

aEURof optical laser components to structural components (ps- and fs-pulsed lasers)aEUR

Test methods

aEURof evaluating optical and mechanical parts subjected to thermal and environmental test conditions.aEUR

Laser system set-upaEUR

and maintenance for

aEURlaser-based materials processing

.aEUR

Demonstration of / proof of ability to;aEUR

Lead authorship of experimental development reports / publications.aEUR Lead a project and maintain focus on the project aims.aEURaEUR Implementation of rigorous engineering processes / scientific method.aEUR Exploit innovative technology concepts and emerging manufacturing technologies;aEUR Skills of working with manufacturers and suppliers.aEUR Skills of collaborating with senior and junior research team members.aEURaEUR Establish a close working relationship with the main points of contact in the company.aEUR Leading the writing of scientific papers.aEUR

Nationality, Residency & Place of WorkaEUR

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.aEUR


This appointment is in partnership with Leonardo and will require being able to demonstrate eligibility for UK Security Clearance.aEURFor applicants outside the UK: you may require an ATAS certificate to do research in the UK. CAH3 code: CAH07-04-01 or CAH10-01-01.aEUR

About our Team

aEUR


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.aEUR


The Laser Device Physics & Engineering group under the lead of Prof Esser drives the research and development of new laser sources in the near-infrared and mid-IR, demonstrating and exploiting new high-brightness diode laser technologies, novel solid-state laser crystals, and new manufacturing and assembly methods applied to laser system design and assembly.aEURaEUR


Leonardo is the UK's largest manufacturer of the sensors and electronic systems which sit under the skin of the world's most advanced aircraft, effectively acting as their brains, senses and nervous systems. Protecting pilots, alerting air crews to threats and providing unrivalled situational awareness, our world-class engineering and technology informs decision-making and helps ensure that those in harm's way come home safely. The Edinburgh site is home to Leonardo's world-leading laser capability, with their engineers meeting around 80% of the global demand for high-energy military lasers.aEUR

Travel

aEUR


Local travel to technical and review meetings with our partners, the University of Edinburgh and Leonardo on their sites in Edinburgh.aEUR There may also be longer periods spent working at these other sites.


Annual national conference (2-3 days within the UK) and at least 1 international conference (~ 1 week) are also expected.aEUR

About Heriot-Watt

aEUR


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.aEUR


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.aEUR


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.aEUROur research ranges from fundamental sciences through to engineering applications, all of which are supported by strong external funding.aEURWe have around 150 full-time academic staff who drive this research activity and are based in 5 research institutes:aEURthe 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.aEUR


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.aEURaEUR


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.aEUR

How to Apply

aEUR


Please submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing their interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CVaEUR


Applications can be submitted until midnight on

Monday 8th September 2025.

For further information and an informal discussion, please contact Dr Richard Carter via email, r.m.carter@hw.ac.uk



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-WattaEURUniversity 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.aEUR Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.


Heriot-WattaEURUniversity values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our websiteaEUR https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm aEURand also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science CareersaEUR https://disc.hw.ac.uk/ aEUR.


We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.


Use our total rewards calculator:aEUR https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm aEURto see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.