Research Fellow - Horizon Europe Pathfinder Project - FAST

University of Southampton - Smart Lasers and Special Fibres

Location:	Southampton
Salary:	£36,636 to £43,482 Per annum
Hours:	Full Time
Contract Type:	Fixed-Term/Contract

Placed On:	26th March 2026
Closes:	23rd April 2026
Job Ref:	3375926BA

Full Time Fixed Term for 36 months

The University of Southampton is committed to excellence in all we do, applying our insights and inventiveness to solve the most complex societal and environmental challenges. As a world-leading, research-intensive university, with a strong and high-quality educational offering, we are renowned for our innovation and enterprise and are within the top 1% of universities worldwide.

Apply to be part of a Horizon Europe Pathfinder science-to-technology breakthrough, targeting a paradigm shift in fabricating a novel optically active crystal – rare-earth (RE) doped sapphire (REDS). The EIC-funded project’s objective is to enhance laser technology performance through creating functionalised REDS thin-disks as new optical components for innovative-lasers applications. We’re looking for an enthusiastic postdoctoral fellow to be part of our team to advance our Rapid Pulsed Laser Deposition (RPLD) technology and ultimately develop a new class of active mirror to underpin the next generation of thin-disk lasers.

What You’ll Do:

• Innovate: develop scalable RPLD processes to fabricate REDS active mirrors
• Collaborate: work with a dynamic team and engage in interdisciplinary research
• Experiment: gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge physical-vapour-deposition fabrication techniques, lasers, and honing your practical skills
• Explore: help develop a deeper understanding of how to produce a high-quality REDS crystals and scale to practical dimensions.

We’re seeking a capable and resourceful postdoctoral candidate eager to dive into laboratory work to develop RPLD methods to create these novel optically active sapphire elements. You’ll have a solid grounding in physical sciences with an eagerness to understand and solve key challenges.

In this project you'll have access to:

• State-of-the-art facilities: access to top-tier resources, cleanrooms, and materials-characterisation suites
• Interdisciplinary research: collaborate with experts within the university and beyond
• International collaboration: work closely with consortium partners across Europe towards ambitious project goals.

For informal enquiries, please write to Dr Jacob Mackenzie (jim@soton.ac.uk).

Further details can be found on the European Commission Fact Sheet: FAST

The Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) is committed to promoting equality, diversity inclusivity as demonstrated by our Athena SWAN award. We welcome all applicants regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or age, and will give full consideration to applicants seeking flexible working patterns and those who have taken a career break.

The University has a generous maternity policy, onsite childcare facilities, and offers a range of benefits to help ensure employees’ well-being and work-life balance. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and has been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.

Further details:

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applicants who support our mission of inclusivity.

Apply by 11.59 pm UK time on the closing date via the ‘Apply’ button above.

For assistance contact Recruitment on +44(0)2380 592750 or recruitment@soton.ac.uk quoting the job number.