About The Role

This EPSRC-funded full-time post is available from February 2027 on a fixed-term basis. Project funding is available for three years, until January 2030.

The starting salary will range from 35,302 to 37,369 for Grade E and will be 44,352 for Grade F, depending on skills and experience.

The Role

Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy

The Williams Lab, at the University of Exeter (Department of Physics) is looking to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join an exciting EPSRC mid-infrared sensing project (SPECTROMETA) led by Dr. Calum Williams.

Mid-infrared light reveals distinctive molecular fingerprints, but measuring these outside specialist laboratories remains challenging. This project combines metamaterial emitters that shape infrared illumination with photoacoustic detection. Together with intelligent inference, this approach aims to identify and quantify environmentally important substances in air and water.

You will lead the development and testing of metamaterial emitters and resonant acoustic cavities, connecting modelling, nanofabrication and sensing experiments. You will investigate what determines sensitivity and selectivity, shape the technical approach, explore AI-assisted inverse design and lead publications. Integration into a working sensor prototype will be a shared effort with the PI, PhD researchers and technical staff.

You will use Exeter s Savchenko Centre for Nanoscience (cleanroom) and Imaging Suite facilities to fabricate and evaluate devices, and build custom electro-optic systems to test their sensing performance. Collaborations with The Met Office and South West Water will connect the research to environmental measurement needs and realistic testing conditions. Based on the Streatham campus, you will join the Williams Lab and the Centre for Metamaterials Research and Innovation (CMRI).

About You

Postdoctoral Research Associate (Grade E)

The successful applicant will possess a relevant PhD (or be nearing completion), or possess equivalent qualifications or experience in physics, photonics, engineering or a related discipline. You will be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the discipline and relevant research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes. You will be able to present research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information orally, in writing and electronically, and prepare proposals and applications to external bodies.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Grade F)

The successful applicant will possess a relevant PhD or equivalent qualification/s or experience in a related discipline. You will be a nationally recognised authority in an area relevant to the project, such as optical sensing, photonics, metamaterials or micro- and nanofabrication, with sufficient specialist knowledge to develop research programmes and methodologies.

You will be able to develop research objectives, projects and proposals; identify sources of research funding and contribute to securing funds; and present your research at conferences and other events. You will also work collaboratively, supervise the work of others and act as team leader as required.

For both roles

Applicants will be able to bring depth in at least one relevant area: mid-infrared spectroscopic sensing, metamaterial thermal emitters, instrumentation development, mid-infrared spectroscopy, liquid/gas sensing, photonic modelling (FDTD, FEM, RCWA, etc. using Ansys Lumerical, COMSOL, FlexCompute etc.), micro- and nanophotonics, cleanroom fabrication (electron-beam lithography, 2PP-lithography, RIE, PVD etc.) and characterisation (AFM, SEM, FTIR microscopy, custom electro-optic systems, liquid/gas phase sensing etc.). You should demonstrate independent research, relevant research outputs (publications, conference proceedings etc.) and sound judgement in analysing results and resolving technical problems. Strong knowledge of electron beam lithography (and cleanroom fabrication), photoacoustics, inverse design or machine-learning methods is highly desirable.

We do not expect expertise in every technique.

We value intellectual curiosity, research rigour and the initiative to turn ideas into experiments. If you bring relevant strengths and are keen to broaden your skills, we encourage you to apply, even if you do not meet every desirable criterion!