Dr. Jacob Ngaha

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

About Me

My name is Jacob Ngaha, and I am a theoretical physicist with a focus on quantum optics and nonlinear dynamics.

I am currently a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. Though, I am currently looking for work!

Here you can find a bit more about me :)

Ko Wai Au?

Ko Taupiri te maunga

Ko Waikato te awa

Ko Tainui te waka

Ko Waikato rātou ko Ngāti Maniapoto, ko Ngāpuhi, ko Ngāti Kahu ngōku iwi

Ko Ngāti Naho rātou ko Ngāti Kino Haku, ko Ngāti Tara ngōku iwi

Ko Maurea, Parawhenua, me Parapara ngōku marae

Ko Hākopa Ngaha tōku ingoa

This pepeha describes my connection to my ancestors, the whenua (land) they lived on, and the waka (canoes) which brought them to Aoetaroa (New Zealand).

Jacob_Maaori_Graduation.jpg
At the Māori graduation for my PhD.
DWC_group_photo.jpeg
(Most of) The Auckland Quantum Optics group at the 2021 DWC Symposium (Photo credit to Frank Wang)
DWC_poster_Jacob_Geraud.jpeg
Me (left) and my friend, Geraud (right), at the 2021 DWC Symposium (Photo credit to Frank Wang)
DWC_outreach_challenge.jpeg
"Put your hand up if you've ever heard of 'cavity quantum electrodynamics!'"
ouss!
Group photo from a black belt training session with Seishin Ryu.
uoa_graduation_day.jpeg
PhD. graduation day!

My main hobbies are:

  • Reading — Mostly fantasy (Malazan, Wheel of Time, LoTR) and ancient history
  • Knitting — I love knitting, and mostly make things for my dog. Check out my insta: @ngaha.knits
  • Karate — I started karate when I was ten years old and am currently a second-dan black belt. Ouss!
  • Music — My top favourite genres are jazz and 80s Japanese pop. I also play the double bass!