Dr Jessica Wade, from the Department of Materials, has been awarded a Royal Society University Research Fellowship.

The Royal Society University Research Fellowships recognise outstanding scientists with the potential to become leaders in their fields. The long-term, flexible funding schemes provide researchers with the opportunity and freedom to build an independent research career in the UK or Republic of Ireland and pursue cutting-edge scientific research.

New fellowship

Dr Wade will hold the position of Royal Society University Research Fellow in the Department of Materials, alongside her new role as Lecturer in Functional Materials.

"It's the perfect time and place to be beginning this exciting research." Dr Jessica Wade

Dr Wade's research project is titled 'Chiral molecular materials and their application in quantum technologies'. Chirality is a property of symmetry and shape that manifests across multiple different length scales in the human made and naturally occurring world. In materials science, chirality can be used to control electron and photon polarisation, which could help to improve a range of different emerging technologies from bioimaging, to encrypted optical communication, to energy-efficient displays.

The new fellowship will allow Dr Wade to build a laboratory and appoint a team of materials scientists, physicists and chemists to explore and optimise chiral quantum phenomena. The team's research will tackle fundamental questions about the origins of spin selectivity in chiral molecules and translate these findings to new devices. The team will also engage with Imperial's newly formed Centre for Quantum Engineering, Science and Technology (QuEST), as well as the Materials for Quantum Network (M4QN).

Dr Wade commented: "I'm really excited about this fellowship as The Royal Society provide so much great support; to engage with policy, to get media training and to work with international partners.

I am very lucky to be part of their latest URF cohort and would like to thank The Royal Society for their support."

Adapted from a press release written by The Royal Society.