Research Fellow (110836-0825)

About The Role

For informal enquiries, please contact Gavin Morley (Professor) at Gavin.morley@warwick.ac.uk

We are seeking to appoint a Research Fellow to build an experiment with magnetically levitated diamonds towards testing the quantum nature of gravity. The appointment will be for two years with the possibility of extension as part of our five-year project supported by The Moore Foundation and the Sloan Foundation, in collaboration with Yale University, Northwestern University, UCL and Groningen University. You will work with Professor Gavin Morley and his team in Warwick.

We have built magnetic levitation of micron-sized diamonds including centre-of-mass cooling, and separately, quantum control of single nitrogen-vacancy (NV) spins in non-levitated microdiamonds. The microdiamonds we have developed (with Oliver Williams’ group) have the longest quantum coherence times. You will combine these two experiments to control the spin of NV centres inside magnetically levitated microdiamonds. You will build this inside of a specially commissioned cryostat. The aim is to create a spatial superposition of the diamond towards testing fundamental physics including a test of the quantum nature of gravity. You would be the day-to-day supervisor for two PhD students on this levitated microdiamond project, as well as helping to supervise undergraduate project students. Applications from underrepresented minorities are particularly encouraged.

Flexible Working

We will consider applications for employment on a part-time or other flexible working basis (e.g. job share), despite the position being advertised as full-time.

About You

We are looking for someone with a PhD in Physics or a related field, or someone who is very close to obtaining this. You should have a background in building and/or running physics experiments, microwave/optical/electronic engineering, magnetic resonance, materials science, nanodiamonds, NV centres and/or quantum technology. You will be a good communicator capable of working effectively both independently and as part of a research team. You will have written up clear papers about your previous interesting research. You will possess good planning and time management skills to ensure your research objectives are achieved effectively. For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the job description attached as a PDF below.

PhD Status

If you are near submission of your PhD, or have not yet had it conferred, any offers of employment will be made at Research Assistant level, at the highest spinal point of pay grade 5 (£34,610 per annum). Upon receipt of evidence confirming the successful award of your PhD, you will be promoted to Research Fellow, at the lowest spinal point of grade 6 (£35,608 per annum).

About The Department

Information about our Diamond Quantum Technology Lab is available on our website. We have built experiments with nitrogen-vacancy centres in diamond including the most sensitive fibre-coupled diamond magnetometer and measurements of the longest spin coherence times in nanodiamonds or microdiamonds. We have been working on diamond quantum technology in all three phases of the UK Quantum Technology Hubs. In the wider Warwick diamond community, there is expertise in diamond materials and defects including the Diamond Science and Technology Centre for Doctoral Training. In addition, Warwick Quantum is a new initiative bringing together the quantum technology research groups in the Departments of Physics, Computer Science, Engineering, Maths and Chemistry as well as the Warwick Manufacturing Group. We have experience in helping our team-members secure prestigious fellowships, and we would be happy to help with these fellowship applications before or after you start as a Research Fellow.

Department of Physics

The post will be based in the Department of Physics, a vibrant academic department with 200 academic, research, technical and professional services staff, over 800 undergraduate students and 200 postgraduate research students. We are proud of our diverse community of staff, students, and visitors, and are committed to maintaining an excellent record in teaching and research by ensuring that there is equality of opportunity for all, fostered in an environment of mutual respect and dignity. We hold an Athena SWAN Silver award, a national initiative to promote gender equality for all staff and students. We are also a Juno Champion, which is an award from the Institute of Physics to recognise our efforts to address the under-representation of women in university physics and to encourage better practice for both women and men.

Further information about working in the Department of Physics and the benefits available can be found at www.warwick.ac.uk/physics/staff/working/.

The University supports flexible working and requests for part-time working or job-share will be considered where possible.

Childcare for interviews

Childcare can be provided for you at the University of Warwick Nursery (www.warwick.ac.uk/services/childrensservices/nursery) in order for you to attend the interview. Childcare is subject to availability of places at the Nursery.

About The University

We are a world-leading research-intensive university founded in 1965. We are ranked 67th in the world and 10th in the UK. 92% of our research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent.* Find out more about us on our website. https://warwick.ac.uk/about/ QS World University Rankings 2024, Research Excellence Framework 2021https://warwick.ac.uk/about/

How to Apply

CLOSING DEADLINE: Wednesday 10th September 2025 at 23:55 (BST)

To apply, please click "Apply" below and submit an application form by the closing deadline. You will be asked to include a CV and a cover letter.

Your CV Should Include

• Your education and employment history (including your most recent employment).
• Any other relevant experience (e.g. volunteering, extracurricular, etc.).

Your Cover Letter Should Explain

• Your motivations for applying to the role.
• Using examples, how you meet the essential and desirable criteria detailed in the job description (PDF attached below).

All essential criteria must be met by candidates who are invited to interview. You are welcome to include details of any career breaks (e.g. parental leave, caring responsibilities, sick leave).

Interview Date: September 2025

Start Date: To be confirmed

Please note application forms must be submitted before the stated deadline - you will not be able to submit after 23:55 (even if you opened the form earlier). Only applications submitted via our official careers portal (warwick-careers.tal.net) will be considered.

What we Offer

We Provide a Comprehensive Range Of Benefits, Including

• An attractive pension scheme.
• 30 days holiday plus University Christmas closure.
• Generous parental/adoption leave policy.
• Onsite childcare facilities.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.

We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer access to flexible working arrangements. For more information, see here.

We are proud to be a Living Wage employer.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion

Warwick is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and respectful community where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, cultures, and communities, and actively encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply. Find out more about our Social Inclusion work at Warwick. Find out more about our awards and accreditations. We are also one of the six founder institutions of the EUTOPIA European University Alliance.

Safeguarding & DBS

The University of Warwick is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those we work with. Roles involving regulated activity are subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at the appropriate level, in line with the DBS Code of Practice. The University will ensure that anyone subject to a barring order does not undertake any work with the barred group (children and/or adults). All employees, volunteers, and partners are expected to share our commitment to safeguarding.

Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders

The University will not discriminate against applicants who make a disclosure relating to a conviction. Disclosures at application stage are only visible to the DBS team, not to hiring panels. This ensures fairness and removes bias from the shortlisting process.

Job Description JD - Research Fellow (110836).pdf – 93KB Opens in a new window

Right to Work in the UK

If you do not yet have the right to work in the UK and/or are seeking sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa, please follow this link which contains further information about obtaining the right to work in the UK.