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.

Closing Date: 23 Apr 2026

Section: Education, Research & Enterprise

Salary: £36,636 to £43,482 Per annum
Full Time Fixed Term for 36 months

You will join a collaborative, supportive group and have opportunity to thrive in a university environment developing future technology. You will work and grow in a team whose culture centres on people, collegiality, quality, internationalisation, and sustainability. Working hours are flexible, with the option for hybrid working. 

Role overview

You will manage business operations for a portfolio of industry-funded research projects, owning the commercial relationship with sponsors, negotiating next-phase proposals, and developing robust processes for project contracting, compliance, and execution. You will forge new industry partnerships in an expanding array of contacts across priority application areas. Working closely with the technical team, you will lead the creation and buildout of enterprise fibre sales capability, coordinating efforts with University professional services teams. You will own the operational lifecycle of new projects, orchestrating contracting and compliance, enabling timely set up, and running project governance with the Principal Investigator. 

What you will achieve in your first 12 months:

• Negotiate and secure next-phase proposals in existing projects and open new partnerships in priority areas
• Develop an intake workflow to triage new opportunities: gather scope/deliverables, map to capability, identify and manage IP/publication/export sensitivities
• Standardise a fibre-sales contracting process, coordinating inputs across professional services: Finance, Contracts, Legal, Technology Transfer, Export Control
• Create unified trackers, decision logs, and reporting tools to align project teams

Essential qualifications, skills, & experience:

• PhD or equivalent experience 
• Demonstrated success scoping, costing, proposing, winning, and executing large, complex R&D projects
• Strong project management fundamentals with demonstrated cycle‑time & delivery improvements
• Excellent communications and multi-stakeholder coordination 
• Contracts and compliance literacy (NDAs, SoWs, publication, IP, export) 
• Microsoft Office fluency

Desirable skills & experience:

• R&D experience in photonics or fibre-optics
• US government contracting and compliance 
• Experience in business development or technical sales; strong client relationship management 
• Microsoft 365 tools (SharePoint, Teams, Power Automate) 
• AI tools (especially Copilot) for proposal and project management workflows 

Contract & reporting

Funded to 28/2/28 with potential to extend. Reports to PI; works closely with research team and University professional services. No current line management; as the portfolio grows, you may supervise or matrix‑lead project administrators.

Working pattern & location

Hybrid working with ~1–2 days on site (peaks may vary with contracting cycles) and occasional travel. Flexible working and job‑share requests welcome (0.6–1.0 FTE).

Inclusion

We are an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.

How to apply

Apply by uploading your CV and a cover letter detailing how your skills and experience match the requirements of the role. Shortlisted candidates will complete a brief written exercise and panel interview with presentation.

For general inquiries regarding this position, please contact Professor Austin Taranta, a.a.taranta@soton.ac.uk. 

Closing Date: 21 Apr 2026

Section: Education, Research & Enterprise

Salary: £59,966 to £74,851 per annum
Full Time Fixed Term until 28/02/2028