About the role:

Post is a part of a newly funded collaborative project, FOCUS, between Aston University (with Prof. Andrew Ellis as PI) and Trinity College Dublin, funded by EPSRC and Research Ireland and supported by IBM and Pilot Photonics aims to address this crisis by redesigning the optical interconnection network – linking the electronic processors – in ways designed to reflect the changing needs of workflows, including Artificial Intelligence based applications.

The postholder will be involved in the design, development, optimisation and experimental demonstration of FPGA applications in optical communications and sensing. The research will explore various optical communications, sensing and integrated sensing and communications applications of FPGA. You will be also responsible for day-to-day supervision of postgraduate students and for disseminating research results at regular meetings as well as to the wider scientific community.

About you:

The successful candidate will possess a doctorate in optical communications, machine learning or relevant disciplines.  We expect you to have good recent publication record in international journals,  experience of the deisgn FPGA, modelling of optical communication systems, experience of developing new digital signal processing schemes using machine learning methods.

About us:

AiPT is one of the world’s leading photonics research centres. Our successful track record of scientific achievements ranges from nonlinear photonics, and fibre lasers to medical lasers and bio-sensing for healthcare and the high-speed optical communications technology that underpins the internet and the digital economy. Applicants are welcome to join in the a vibrant team of researchers guided by world-leading AiPT cultivates a supportive and inclusive working environment where academics, post-doctoral researchers and students cooperate to overcome major scientific challenges in a welcoming and collegial atmosphere. 

Informal enquiries should be directed to Prof. S. K. Turitsyn (s.k.turitsyn@aston.ac.uk)

This is a fixed term (12 months), full time position, open to internal applicants only.

What we offer:

• Aston University is a vibrant campus located within Birmingham city centre, which has excellent transport links via bus or train.
• Hybrid working is possible for this role, which means working both on campus and from home depending on the activity. Further information on hybrid working can be found here.
• Excellent training and development opportunities.
• A generous annual leave scheme with 30 days bookable leave and a further 13 days of bank holiday and University closure days.
• Everyday discounts to a number of activities and retailers.
• Great family-friendly policies.
• On-site gym and pool with discounted staff membership available.
• Further information on our Benefits and Rewards can be found here.

This role is likely to qualify for endorsement under the Endorsed Funder route of the Global Talent visa. This visa is for talented or promising individuals in academia or research in fields such as science, engineering, medicine, social sciences, or humanities.

See the Home Office guidance: https://www.gov.uk/global-talent

Closing Date: 18 Aug 2026

Unit: Teaching & Research

Salary: £38,784 per annum