Research Associate in Microfluidics for Quantum Bio-Sensing in Edinburgh

Salary: Grade 7 (£37,694 - £47,389) per annum

Contract: Full-Time (35 hours per week), Fixed Term for 24 months

Holiday Entitlement: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days for all full-time staff.

About our Team

The Quantum Photonics Laboratory (QPL) at Heriot‑Watt University undertakes research across solid‑state photonics and quantum technologies, engineering coherent light–matter interactions in advanced quantum structures and devices. QPL works with platforms including wide‑bandgap defects (e.g. diamond, SiC), 2D materials, III–V quantum dots, and rare‑earth doped crystals. We operate well‑equipped laboratories for quantum optics and high‑resolution laser spectroscopy at room and cryogenic temperatures, with RF control of electronic/nuclear spins and facilities for quantum‑device fabrication. QPL collaborates widely across HWU, the UK and internationally, and contributes to several UK quantum hubs, including Q-BIOMED, which targets spin‑based quantum sensors for biomedical research and early disease detection. The Quantum Bio‑Imaging Group focuses on developing quantum bio‑imaging tools to study metabolic plasticity from single cells to whole organisms, aiming to translate quantum sensing into pharma R&D and clinical diagnostics.

The Role

We seek a talented, motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to develop a microfluidic system, integrate it with a quantum sensing microscope, and validate it on biological samples in collaboration with other team members, academic and industrial partners. The project goal is to create an integrated, multimodal platform to evaluate cellular metabolism and metabolic plasticity in complex microenvironments. The project is expected to generate high impact publications and underpin integrated quantum sensing devices for biomedical applications. The post offers technical training, secondment opportunities with company and academic collaborators, and a tailored career development plan.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Design, fabricate, and optimise microfluidic devices for use with advanced optical and quantum‑sensing instrumentation.
• Integrate microfluidic platforms with the NV‑based quantum‑sensing confocal microscope.
• Develop hardware and mixed‑signal electronic control systems for real‑time microfluidic actuation, manipulation, and sorting.
• Develop, refine, and validate experimental protocols, and apply them to biological samples in collaboration with the team.
• Design and execute experiments, including data acquisition, quantitative analysis, and modelling/simulation where appropriate.
• Contribute to IP generation and translational pathways.
• Collaborate effectively across the QPL and with external partners, share laboratory equipment responsibly.
• Supervise and mentor PhD and undergraduate researchers in daily lab activities.
• Disseminate results via high‑quality publications and conference presentations, present progress in group and project meetings.
• Maintain high standards of record‑keeping, data management and research integrity.
• Support lab operations (maintenance, vendor liaison) and contribute to outreach (talks, demos, public engagement).

Education, Qualifications and Experience

Essential Criteria

• A PhD in physics, electrical engineering, biomedical engineering or related subjects (or expected to be awarded a PhD soon).
• A demonstrated track-record (during a PhD degree or post-doctoral research) in:
• Microfluidic system design and fabrication, including cleanroom microengineering or soft‑lithography methods.
• Integration of microfluidic devices with optical instrumentation.
• Development of mixed‑signal electronics for microfluidic control, including optical detection and analogue/digital signal processing.
• Design and implementation of real‑time actuation or sorting strategies driven by optical or sensor‑based readouts.
• Experience of programming for device control, data acquisition and analysis.
• Primary author contributions to peer-reviewed journals.
• A record of high-quality publications, as appropriate for the stage in career, and evidence of contribution to the writing of these publications proportionate to opportunity.
• Ability to articulate research work, both in technical reports / papers and by oral presentation.
• Ability to formulate and progress work on their own initiative.
• Evidence of research ability: problem solving, flexibility.
• Must be able to work as part of a team on the experiments at Heriot-Watt and more widely with the collaborators at other Universities.
• Experience in writing and managing peer-reviewed papers.
• Experience in public presentations of scientific results (e.g. conference talks).

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in working with mammalian cells.
• Experience in leading the writing of scientific papers.
• Evidence of ability, subject to opportunity, to guide other researchers, e.g. PhD students and undergraduate project students.
• Experience of research-student supervision.
• Capability to be self-directed and think innovatively.
• Energy and enthusiasm for the project.

What We Offer

A 24‑month appointment (extendable for 12 months), within a vibrant quantum photonics & bio‑imaging environment. Access to advanced optical/quantum laboratories and collaborative networks (academic & industrial). Training in technical and professional skills, opportunities for secondments. A supportive, inclusive culture committed to equality, diversity & inclusion and to researcher development.

How to Apply

Please submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing their interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV. Applications can be submitted until midnight on Saturday 31st October 2026.

Equality Diversity and Inclusion

At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team. Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all. Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups.