Welcome

We are the quantum theory team in the Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences at Heriot-Watt University.

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About our research

We study harnessing quantum mechanical properties of nanostructures and light. We are motivated by wishing to better understand the physical world, as well as enabling novel types of technologies:

Energy

Unlocking the ultimate limits of energy efficiency requires a physical understanding at level of single quanta of energy.

Information

Information processing in the quantum world offers fascinating non-classical advantages.

Metrology

Quantum systems are fragile, and this can exploited for probing the environment.

Imaging

Interactions with single quantum systems represents an exciting frontier and new access to visualing samples.

Group members

Erik
Prof Erik M Gauger FInstP

qtt group leader and currently Global Head of the Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences at Heriot-Watt

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e.gauger@hw.ac.uk

Adam
Dr Adam Burgess

Adam is a Research Associate working in the theory of open quantum systems. His research involves developing innovative techniques to study the dynamics of quantum networks in biological systems, with a focus on light-harvesting complexes in the strong and intermediate coupling regimes.

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a.burgess@hw.ac.uk

Julian
Dr Julian Wiercinski

is working on realising bio-inspire sunlight pumped lasing as part of the APACE project. His wider interests include collective light matter effects in condensed matter quantum emitters and absorbers, and especially semiconductor quantum dots.

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j.wiercinski@hw.ac.uk

Patrick
Dr Patrick Murton

develops nano-micro scale spin-resonance imaging methods for quantum biosensing as part of the Q-BIOMED quantum technology hub. He is primarily based in the Quantum Photonics Labs and also an affiliate qtt member.

p.murton@hw.ac.uk

Nick
Dr Nicholas Werren

Nick's main home is now the Quantum Photonics Labs but he also remains an active associate member of qtt, continuing his work on biological and bio-inspired quantum light-harvesting.

n.werren@hw.ac.uk

Henry
Jindrich "Henry" Hajek

Henry's main interest is using machine learning techniques to build models of non-Markovian open systems dynamics from (experimental) data, including from tomographically incomplete measurement records.

Priyankar
Priyankar Banerjee

researches experimentally measurable signatures of (collective) quantum effects in biological and bio-inspired nano-emitters.

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pb2049@hw.ac.uk

Kian
Kian Damezin

is interested in developing process tensor approaches to non-Markovian open quantum system dynamics. He is based in qtt at Heriot Watt and externally co-supervised by Prof Brendon Lovett from St Andrews.

Zia
Zia Muhammad

currently works on dispersive, waveguide-assisted read out of double quantum dots, as well as quantum dots coupled to fermionic leads. He is jointly supervised with Prof Brendon Lovett and based at St Andrews.

Stefan
Stefan Todd

is an affiliate qtt member working on adaptive quantum sensing with primary residence in the Quantum Photonics Labs.

Dafydd
Dafydd Heyburn

is seeking to apply machine learning to quantum sensing. He is a member of both the Quantum Photonics Labs and qtt in a joint project with Prof Yoann Altmann.

Zeki
Zeki Shaw

works on designing and engineeing photonic samples. He is jointly supervised with Luca Sapienza (Cambridge) and Rob Benett (Glasgow) and his main home is the Quantum Theory Group.

Collaborative network

Besides many of our IPaQS colleagues we have been interacting closely with with:
  • Dr Moritz Cygorek, Univeristy of Dortmund
  • Prof Brendon Lovett, Prof Jonathan Keeling, University of St Andrews
  • Prof Nir Keren, Prof Yossi Paltiel, Dr Eitan Lerner, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
  • Prof Susana Huelga, Prof Martin Plenio, Ulm University
  • Prof Daniele Faccio FRSE, Dr Niclas Westerberg, Dr Rob Bennett, Glasgow University
  • Prof Giuseppe Luca Celardo, LENS, Florence
  • Dr Luca Sapienza, University of Cambridge
  • Prof Simon Benjamin, Prof Natalia Ares, University of Oxford
  • Prof Ivan Kassal, University of Sydney
  • Prof Jan Mol, Queen Mary London
  • Dr Rafael Gomez-Bombarelli, Massachusett's Institute of Technology
  • Dr Ahsan Nazir, Theoretical Physics Group, Manchester
  • Dr Neill Lambert, RIKEN Japan

Group alumni

    Postdocs
    • Dr Moritz Cygorek - now independent group leader at Dortmund
    • Dr Dominic Branford - now postdoc at Florence
    • Dr Nicolas Werren - now postdoc in the Quantum Photonics Lab
    • Dr Niclas Westerberg - now Postdoctoral Research Fellow (1851) at Glasgow University, UK
    Doctoral Students
    • Dr Julian Wiercinski - now postdoc with us
    • Dr Stewart Wallace - recently graduated
    • Dr Hannah Scott - recently graduated
    • Dr David Craig - now Senior Applied Researcher at QuantrolOx
    • Ms Nicole Farrier - Electromagnetic Compatibility Engineer at BAE Systems
    • Dr Alexandre Coates - now Principal Analyst, UK Department for Business and Trade
    • Dr Scott Davidson - now Senior Tech Lead at StackHPC
    • Dr Berke Ricketti - now Instrument Development Scientist at RAL Space
    • Dr Dominic Rouse - now at Battery Optimisation Manager at Terra One
    • Dr William Brown - now Quantitative Strategist at Goldman Sachs
    • Dr Jakub Sowa - now Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Texas
    • Dr Eleanor Dale Scerri - now UI/Frontend Developer/Physicist at Merqury Cybersecurity
    • Dr Amir Fruchtman - now Senior Algorithm Engineer at Snap
    • Dr Kieran Higgins - was software developer, big data analyst, and white hacker
    • Dr George Knee - now Senior Protocol Engineer, OP Labs
    • Dr Marcus Schaffry - now Business Solutions and Support Engineer, European Patent Office
    Research Project Students
    • Mr Callum Cook (MPhys)
    • Mr Jindrich Hajek (MPhys)
    • Ms Laura Rintoul (MPhys)
    • Mr Martin Damynov (MPhys)
    • Ms Jemma Callaghan (MPhys)
    • Ms Romane Moulin (MPhys)
    • Mr Jamie Nash (MPhys)
    • Ms Alicia Fallows (BSc Hons)
    • Mr Robert Hay (MPhys)
    • Mr Robert Chirnside (BSc Hons)
    • Dr Filip Auksztol (MMat)

Openings

We are always looking for enthusiastic and talented people to join our group!

PhD Studentships

Opportunities for fully funded PhD studentships for UK and international applicants regularly exist. Places are filled on a competitive, rolling basis. Please get in touch if interested.

We are open to discussing a broad range of project topics related to our research interests (see recent publications for an overview).

Postdoc Openings

Occasionally we have funded postdoc openings. Get in touch or check back the university vacancies page if interested.

Fellowship Applications

We are happy to support applications and host recipients of personal research fellowships (e.g. URF, Marie Curie, 1851, Newton International etc). If interested in applying, please get in touch to discuss.


Selected publications

A complete list of publications can be found on

Google Scholar

Contact

Prof Erik M Gauger

Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences
School of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Heriot-Watt University
Edinburgh EH14 4AS, United Kingdom

e.gauger@hw.ac.uk