Postdoctoral Fellow in Astrophotonics

The Postdoctoral Fellow will be jointly based in the Research School Physics and the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics, ANU. They will primarily undertake work on an ARC Discovery Project in creating photonic crystal waveguides in mid-infrared transparent materials via ultrashort laser pulses, and will also design, test and characterise these waveguide structures. These spatial filters are a key missing element for the Large Interferometer For Exoplanets (LIFE) space mission concept, designed to search for signs of life on a large sample of nearby terrestrial planets. They are also expected to contribute to a related ARC Discovery Project on directly creating technology for small satellite space interferometry, including optomechanical design and testing.

The Research School of Physics represents Australia's largest university based research and teaching activity in the physics discipline. The School is home to a number of major national facilities such as Australia's largest heavy-ion accelerator, large clean room facilities and a node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility. Hundreds of academics, technical staff and students form the School's greatest asset, its people. This critical mass of researchers is of fundamental importance in fostering the kind of interdisciplinary interactions that create modern research excellence, including many collaborations with the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics. . 

ANU values diversity and inclusion and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to those of all backgrounds and identities. RSAA is the recipient of a Silver Pleiades Award recognising outstanding, sustained commitment to best practice in relation to the aims of equity, inclusion and diversity. ANU is a recipient of the bronze award through the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) program and a platinum member of the Australian Network on Disability. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and identities and from individuals who may have had a non-linear career path, career gaps or career breaks.