Overview
Reader (Associate Professor)/Professor in Optical Fibres (SS13524) – Bath, BA2 7AY
The Department of Physics at the University of Bath is seeking to appoint a Reader (Associate Professor)/Professor in Optical Fibres who will contribute to and expand the capabilities of the department in this research area and be a full member of the Department and of the Optical Fibres Group as well as the Centre for Photonics. We are looking to strengthen research into the design and fabrication of new kinds of hollow-core fibres, nonlinear properties of the fibres, as well as applications of hollow-core and photonic crystal fibres for emerging quantum technologies, quantum computing, novel light sources, and medical and bio-medical applications of novel fibres.
About the role
This role offers an ambitious and excellent candidate the chance to develop their career in a supportive and dynamic environment, making use of the excellent opportunities and facilities (including the fibre fabrication facility) at the University for this area of research.You will become a part of the vibrant community of researchers in optical fibres within the Department. Research within the group is often highly collaborative and involves use of shared facilities.
The role is to establish your independent research activity, in the broader field of optical fibres in an area aligned with both University and funder priorities.
The role includes management/leadership and teaching responsibilities.
The salary for this position starts from £58,225 (Reader) and from £84,668 (Professor).
The University of Bath is a leading research-intensive University. In the recent REF2021 assessment, 96% of the Department’s submitted research activity was judged world-leading or internationally excellent in terms of originality, significance, and rigour. The Department consists of over 40 academic staff with over 80 postdoctoral researchers & PhD students, and graduates approximately 130 undergraduate students each year. Both the Department and the University are committed to providing a supportive and inclusive working environment. The Department aims to become both more diverse and more inclusive, candidates from underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged to apply.
Optical fibres research at the University dates from the mid-1990’s, with a dedicated fibre fabrication facility having been established in 1998. This facility is unique in the UK in being dedicated to microstructure and hollow-core optical fibres.
Over the years, the university’s research in this area has led directly to the development of several new industries and numerous companies. Our track record of innovative and successful research has led to many highly-cited papers and to highly-rated REF impact case studies.
Application information
In addition to the application form, please upload the following for the second shortlisting stage:
- your CV
- a statement describing proposed research activities and including comments on your fit to the department
- your plans regarding research funding (maximum two pages A4)
- a statement discussing your approach to undergraduate teaching (maximum one page A4)
Further information
For informal discussions about the role please contact: Jonathan Knight pysjck@bath.ac.uk; William Wadsworth pyswjw@bath.ac.uk; Kristina Rusimova <krr22@bath.ac.uk>
This role is offered on a full time basis (36.5 hours per week) with an expected start date in Autumn 2026.
We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equity and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students and encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.
We're very proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant. an accredited Disability Confident Leader; autism friendly university, committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.
What we can offer you
We're continually expanding our benefits package to better support you and enhance your experience with us and the below is just an example of some of the many great benefits we offer:
- Free counselling services through Health Assured
- Cycle to work scheme
- Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
- Staff discount at Team Bath gym
- Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
- Staff discount on language courses
- Generous employer contributory pension schemes
- Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
- A wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and more
- Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
- Local discounts and more
- A family-friendly workplace
- An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
- Relocation allowance
- Visa reimbursement and Interest-Free Loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses
Find out more about our benefits and watch the video to hear from our staff about what makes the University of Bath a great place to work as well as following us X and LinkedIn.
Closing Date: 22 May 2026
Department: Education & Research
IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.
