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94  <h1 id="postdoc-positions">Postdoc Positions</h1>
95<!-- ### Postdoc opportunities at Heriot-Watt University
96If you are interested in postdoctoral opportunities at Heriot-Watt University, we welcome applications from exceptional candidates with relevant research experience in quantum photonics, condensed matter physics, or related fields. -->
97
98<p>We always look forward to receiving open applications by outstanding candidates, please send your inquiries to the PI whose work you are interested in. We are currently looking for post-doctoral candidates in the following areas:</p>
99
100<!-- Click on the projects to see additional information. -->
101
102<details>
103  <summary>
104    <h3>Project 1: Quantum imaging of metabolic changes in 3D models of immune cell-cancer interactions</h3>
105  </summary>
106
107  <p>We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to develop an innovative approach to quantum sensing with NV centres in nanodiamonds to monitor metabolic changes in 3D models of immune-cancer interactions.</p>
108
109  <p>This position is funded through a £2M UKRI project led by Aldona Mzyk. The successful applicant will join the interdisciplinary Quantum Bio-Imaging Group and collaborate with academic and industrial partners. There will be opportunities to visit partner laboratories across the UK and internationally. Heriot Watt University is a member of the UK Q BIOMED Hub, offering further connections across the UK quantum biomedical sensing community.</p>
110
111  <p>Ideal candidates will have experience in:</p>
112  <ul>
113    <li>Performing quantum sensing measurements with NV centres in nanodiamonds</li>
114    <li>Developing 2D and 3D breast cancer models</li>
115    <li>Developing nanoparticle-based strategies for drug delivery into live cells</li>
116    <li>Confocal fluorescent microscopy and image processing</li>
117    <li>Flow cytometry and data analysis</li>
118  </ul>
119
120  <p>We particularly welcome applications from women and underrepresented groups in STEM.</p>
121
122  <p>Apply here: a link will be available shortly, for now please contact <a href="mailto:[email protected]">Dr Aldona Mzyk</a>.</p>
123
124  <p><strong>Contact</strong>: <a href="mailto:[email protected]">Dr Aldona Mzyk</a></p>
125
126</details>
127
128<details>
129  <summary>
130    <h3>Project 2: Microfluidic platforms for live-cell quantum bio-imaging</h3>
131  </summary>
132
133  <p>We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to develop microfluidic platforms designed to interface directly with NV based quantum sensing microscopes. These systems will support precise control and delivery of live cells, enabling high resolution studies of cellular metabolism in complex biological microenvironments.</p>
134
135  <p>This position is funded through a new £2M UKRI project led by Aldona Mzyk. The successful applicant will collaborate with academic and industrial partners and will have opportunities to visit partner laboratories across the UK and internationally. Heriot Watt University is a member of the UK Q BIOMED Hub, offering further connections across the UK quantum biomedical sensing community.</p>
136
137  <p>Ideal candidates will have experience in:</p>
138  <ul>
139    <li>Microfluidic device design and fabrication</li>
140    <li>Integration of microfluidics with optical or sensor based systems</li>
141    <li>Mixed signal electronics for actuation and control</li>
142    <li>(Desirable) Working with mammalian cells</li>
143  </ul>
144
145  <p>We particularly welcome applications from women and underrepresented groups in science and engineering.</p>
146
147  <p>Apply here: <a href="https://enzj.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX/job/4652">https://enzj.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX/job/4652</a></p>
148
149  <p><strong>Contact</strong>: <a href="mailto:[email protected]">Dr Aldona Mzyk</a></p>
150
151</details>
152
153<details>
154  <summary>
155    <h3>Project 3: Ultrafast Quantum-enabled Immune screening</h3>
156  </summary>
157
158  <p>We seek a talented and motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the Quantum Bio Imaging Group at Heriot Watt University. The successful c

158andidate will develop a multimodal quantum sensing microscope, integrating NV based quantum sensing with other imaging modalities.</p>
159
160  <p>The aim of this project is to build next generation tools for fast immune screening and its translation into pre- and clinical diagnostics. This position is funded through a new £2.2M <a href="https://quantera.eu/quantera-call-2025-results-39-projects-driving-future-quantum-technologies/">QuantERA2025 consortium project Quanti-PEP</a> led by Aldona Mzyk, Cristian Bonato and Nicholas Leslie. The successful applicant will collaborate with academic and industrial partners and will have opportunities to visit partner laboratories in Finland (UH) and Germany (FAU). Heriot Watt University is a member of the UK Q BIOMED Hub, offering further connections across the UK quantum biomedical sensing community.</p>
161
162  <p>Ideal candidate will have experience in:</p>
163  <ul>
164    <li>Developing complex optical instrumentation, e.g. quantum sensing microscopes; hands-on experience with SPAD cameras is an advantage</li>
165    <li>Programming (C++ or Python or MATLAB) for device control, data acquisition and analysis</li>
166    <li>(Desirable) Working with mammalian cells
167We especially encourage applications from women and other underrepresented groups in physics and engineering.</li>
168  </ul>
169
170  <p>Apply here: a link will be available shortly, for now please contact <a href="mailto:[email protected]">Dr Aldona Mzyk</a>.</p>
171
172  <p><strong>Contact</strong>: <a href="mailto:[email protected]">Dr Aldona Mzyk</a></p>
173
174</details>
175
176<details>
177  <summary>
178    <h3>Project 4: Integrated platforms for novel quantum devices using rare-earth doped crystals for quantum memory applications</h3>
179  </summary>
180
181  <p>We seek a talented and motivated scientist to start a new line of research on integrated platforms for novel quantum devices using rare-earth doped crystals for quantum memory applications.</p>
182
183  <p>The work will be conducted in the framework of a recently funded EPSRC grant involving world leading partners working in waveguide fabrication and electrical engineering. It will be carried out under the supervision of <a href="mailto:[email protected]">Dr Margherita Mazzera</a>, who is principal investigator of the funded project. The ideal candidate will have a strong experimental background in one or more of the following fields: solid-state physics, quantum photonics, and quantum information science. We especially encourage applications from women and other underrepresented groups in Physics.</p>
184
185  <p><strong>Contact</strong>: <a href="mailto:[email protected]">Dr Margherita Mazzera</a></p>
186</details>
187
188<details>
189  <summary>
190    <h3>Project 5: AI algorithms for nuclear spin detection/control (computational)</h3>
191  </summary>
192
193  <p>We are seeking a Post-doctoral Research Associate to develop algorithms based on Bayesian experimental design, variational Bayesian inference, and reinforcement learning to enable autonomous detection and control of individual nuclear spins. This is relevant, for example, to enable MRI images of nuclear spin clusters associated to single molecules or implement long-lived qubits for quantum memories.</p>
194
195  <p>The ideal candidate will have background in AI, machine learning, applied mathematics/statistics, computer science/engineering, or theoretical physics, excellent mathematical and coding (python) skills, and an interest in collaborating with experimentalists. Successful candidates will work closely with partners across the “Integrated Quantum Networks” (IQN) and “Quantum Sensing for Biomedical Research” (Q-BIOMED) hubs.</p>
196
197  <p>If interested, please contact <a href="mailto:[email protected]">Prof Cristian Bonato</a> as soon as possible.</p>
198
199  <p><strong>Contact</strong>: <a href="mailto:[email protected]">Prof Cristian Bonato</a></p>
200
201</details>
202
203<details>
204  <summary>
205    <h3>Project 6: AI-enhanced quantum sensing (experimental)</h3>
206  </summary>
207
208  <p>We are seeking a Post-doctoral Research Associate to further develop our real-time adaptive quantum sensing platform and lead experimental demonstrations of AI-driven identification of single nuclear spins and the development of optimal controls. The over-arching goal is to develop self-optimising quantum sensors that drastically reduce sensing time in highly-multidimensional spaces, and boost robustness to experimental imperfections.

208</p>
209
210  <p>The ideal candidate will have a background in experimental quantum technologies (experience with NV centres in diamond or other colour centres is particularly desirable), excellent coding skills and good familiarity with probability theory or machine learning. Successful candidates will work closely with partners across the “Integrated Quantum Networks” (IQN) and “Quantum Sensing for Biomedical Research” (Q-BIOMED) hubs.</p>
211
212  <p>If interested, please contact <a href="mailto:[email protected]">Prof Cristian Bonato</a> as soon as possible.</p>
213
214  <p><strong>Contact</strong>: <a href="mailto:[email protected]">Prof Cristian Bonato</a></p>
215
216</details>
217
218<p></p>
219<p>We are furthermore always happy to support suitable candidates for fellowships:</p>
220
221<ul>
222  <li>
223    <p><a href="https://www.ukri.org/councils/epsrc/">EPSRC Fellowships</a>,</p>
224  </li>
225  <li>
226    <p><a href="https://royalsociety.org/grants/dorothy-hodgkin-fellowship/">Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowships</a>,</p>
227  </li>
228  <li>
229    <p><a href="http://www.newtonfellowships.org/">Newton International Fellowships</a>,</p>
230  </li>
231  <li>
232    <p><a href="https://royalcommission1851.org/">1851 Royal Commission Fellowships</a>,</p>
233  </li>
234  <li>
235    <p><a href="https://www.leverhulme.ac.uk/early-career-fellowships">Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships</a>,</p>
236  </li>
237  <li>
238    <p><a href="https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/">EU Marie Curie Fellowships</a>.</p>
239  </li>
240  <li>
241    <p>Royal Society of Edinburgh Personal Research Fellowships,</p>
242  </li>
243  <li>
244    <p>Royal Society University Research Fellowships,</p>
245  </li>
246</ul>
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