Research Fellow in III-V Epitaxy for Optoelectronics, University of Southampton (Optoelectronics Research Centre)
Job Description
The University of Southampton’s Optoelectronics Research Centre is hiring a Research Fellow in III-V epitaxy for optoelectronics. You will grow III-V semiconductors and integrate them with silicon for communications, sensing and quantum technologies. The post pays £36,636 to £44,746 a year.
At a glance
- Position: Research Fellow, full time, fixed term until 31 May 2028 (ref 3520126BA)
- Where: Optoelectronics Research Centre, Highfield Campus, Southampton, UK
- Pay: £36,636 to £44,746 a year
- Extension: Possible extension of up to 12 months
- Apply: 2 November 2026, 11.59 pm UK time
What the III-V epitaxy Research Fellow will do
- Develop III-V semiconductor materials and integrated optoelectronic devices on silicon
- Develop epitaxial growth for III-V integration on silicon and other lattice-mismatched platforms
- Grow and optimise III-V materials by MOVPE
- Run optical, electrical and structural characterisation of materials and devices
- Help with device fabrication and integration in Southampton’s silicon photonics and nanofabrication facilities
- At first, work with outside epitaxy partners on growth campaigns while new III-V equipment is set up; the role involves travel
Why this role matters
Lasers and detectors made from III-V materials do not grow easily on silicon. Solving that is key to cheap photonic chips for data centres, sensors and quantum devices. This post lets you help set up a new epitaxy capability from the start, which is rare for an early-career researcher.
What Southampton is looking for
- A PhD, or close to finishing one, in electronic engineering, photonics, physics or a close field
- Hands-on experience of III-V epitaxial growth (III-As/P/Sb and/or III-nitride) by MOVPE or MBE
- A strong publication record for your career stage
- Good communication skills
Nice to have
- Semiconductor device fabrication and cleanroom processing
- Optical and electrical characterisation
Pay and location
The salary is £36,636 to £44,746 a year. The post is full time and fixed term until 31 May 2028, with a possible extension of up to 12 months. The work is in Southampton, with travel to partner sites. The portal asks about your entitlement to work in the UK. The advertisement does not mention visa sponsorship, so check this before you apply.
How to apply
Apply through the official Southampton page. The closing date is 2 November 2026, 11.59 pm UK time. Apply online through the Southampton portal; new applicants register an account. A job description and person specification are linked from the advert. For help, email recruitment@soton.ac.uk and quote the job number.
See all our postdoc jobs, or browse more research jobs on ResearchJobs.in.
Hiring institution: University of Southampton
Official advertisement: jobs.soton.ac.uk
How to prepare for this application
- List your growth systems, materials and substrates clearly: MOVPE or MBE, which alloys, and on what
- Bring one example of a growth problem you solved, such as defects, strain or doping
- Read about recent work on III-V lasers and detectors grown on silicon
- Map your experience to each line of the person specification
- Check UK work-permit rules for your case early
About the University of Southampton
The University of Southampton is a research-intensive university in England and a member of the Russell Group. It received its Royal Charter in 1952. Its Optoelectronics Research Centre works on optical fibres, lasers, silicon photonics and nanofabrication.
