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- Tasks: Design and build innovative optical instruments for personalised medicine.
- Company: Join a leading deep-tech startup transforming healthcare with AI.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, remote work, private healthcare, and free snacks.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Advanced degree in Physics or related field; hands-on optical system experience.
- Other info: Collaborative team culture with opportunities for growth and creativity.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Hello!
We\’re looking for an awesome Optical Instrumentation Engineer to join our team on our journey to revolutionize personalized medicine.
The following information provides an overview of the skills, qualities, and qualifications needed for this role.
- System design & assembly: Personally design, build, align, and calibrate novel optical analytical instruments (e.g., Raman, FTIR, fluorescence, scattering) from concept and component selection through to bench assembly and validation.
- Hands‑on prototyping: Solve optical/mechanical design challenges, design custom components/fixtures, and iterate rapidly to hit performance targets.
- Systems integration: Integrate optics with detectors/light sources, motion/actuation, electronics, fluidics, and software control to deliver fully functional prototypes.
- Testing & validation: Plan and execute experiments; analyze data to troubleshoot and optimize SNR, resolution, stability, dynamic range; own verification against specifications.
- Technical guidance: Serve as in‑house subject‑matter expert for spectroscopy—advise on component selection (gratings, filters, objectives, fibers, detectors), system architecture, and experimental methodology.
- Documentation & knowledge transfer: Maintain design files, BOMs, alignment procedures, and test reports; ensure reproducibility; support IP filings and hand‑off to manufacturing.
- Cross‑functional collaboration: Work closely with scientists, assay developers, data scientists, and QA/RA to ensure instruments meet biological, analytical, and regulatory needs.
- Safety & compliance: Uphold lab/laser safety; support design controls and documentation aligned with ISO 13485 (and related standards when in scope).
- Innovation: Track advances in spectroscopy/optics; prototype and evaluate new architectures to push platform capability.
This role is based in London and collaborates with teams in the UK and abroad.
Qualifications
- An advanced degree (PhD or exceptional MSc) in Physics, Optics/Photonics, Nanoscience, or related engineering field.
- 3+ years industry experience designing, building, and operating complex optical systems from scratch in a lab environment.
- Deep, practical knowledge of Raman/FTIR/fluorescence/scattering instrumentation and how to build/align such systems.
- Strong hands‑on skills in opto‑mechanics, precision alignment, stray‑light control, and thermal/vibration management.
- Experience with data acquisition & control (e.g., Python/Matlab/C++/LabVIEW, pyVISA; motion stages/controllers).
- Plus: Familiarity with optical & mechanical CAD (e.g., Zemax/OpticStudio, SolidWorks/Onshape) and tolerance analysis.
- Plus: experience maturing prototypes toward production (DfX, manufacturability, reliability), and mentoring junior engineers/scientists.
- Advantageous: fiber optics, micro‑optics, microfluidics, laser safety, electronics, and signal processing/statistics.
Cultural Skills
- Builder’s mindset: hands‑on, resourceful, and relentless about quality.
- Low‑ego collaborator who elevates a multidisciplinary team.
- Mission‑driven and patient‑centered, comfortable in a fast‑paced startup.
iLoF in a nutshell
As personalized medicine becomes the norm, scientists, patients, and healthcare systems worldwide face massive barriers in providing the right treatment to the right patient.
Recognized by CB Insights and Financial Times as one of the most promising Digital Health companies in the world, iLoF is building an AI-powered platform capable of transforming precision medicine.
Our goal is to become the platform that democratizes access to personalized medicine for millions of people living with complex diseases around the globe.
Thanks to our proprietary optical fingerprint library of disease biomarkers and biological profiles we can offer personalized patient screening and stratification in a faster and more affordable way, saving up to 40% of the cost and 70% of the time while enabling a more human patient experience.
Supported by leading institutions like Microsoft Ventures, Mayfield, and the Oxford University, iLoF is currently focusing on validating its platform technology in one of the biggest challenges of our times: Alzheimer\’s, while maintaining ongoing verticals on Digestive Cancer, Stroke, and Infectious diseases.
Our Team
We are a mix of scientists, entrepreneurs, and inventors based in Oxford and Porto, with a passion for healthcare!
Recognized by CB Insights as one of the most promising Digital Health companies in the world and by the Financial Times as a Transformational Business in Healthcare, iLoF has been regularly featured in leading outlets like Tech Crunch, Wired, and Sifted and listed as a rising star in AI-Driven Drug Discovery, Health Screening & Data Analytics.
What we value
- A Be Kind attitude is the main guideline within iLoF
- A hand in the hammer and another free to support your co-workers as a true team player
- An honest and egoless attitude towards discussions and critics working in good faith
- The braveness to speak your heart in any situation
- Through words or actions be always sure to make a difference at any moment!
- Be proud to drive your responsibilities to success and help others do the same, embracing ownership!
Perks
- An exciting future with a deep-tech company selected by Financial Times and CB Insights as one of the most transformative companies in the world
- A high‑paced, flexible environment: adaptable working hours, strong remote work culture
- A stimulating atmosphere with room for creativity – fast‑paced, fun, and energetic start‑up with a friendly culture
- Weekly happy hours with amazing food and drinks
- Free coffee and snacks
- Private healthcare insurance (for employees; contractor benefits to be agreed)
- The opportunity to work with a world‑class, talented team – and potentially change healthcare as we know it for millions of patients living with complex diseases around the globe
We share a passion for being part of a mission that matters, and we are always looking for curious and collaborative people who share our values and want to be part of our journey.
If that sounds like a fit for you, click the apply button and join us.
You’ve read all this way but you’re missing a skill or two? No problem, it’s our job to upskill you to take your career to the next level. xwzovoh What we’re trying to say is, don’t be afraid to apply if you don’t tick all the boxes.
Optical Instrumentation Engineer | Spectroscopy | Analytical Instrumentation | | AI | Photonics | HealthTech | Deep Tech Startup employer: iLoF
Contact Detail:
iLoF Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Optical Instrumentation Engineer | Spectroscopy | Analytical Instrumentation | | AI | Photonics | HealthTech | Deep Tech Startup
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio or examples of your work, bring them along to interviews. Demonstrating your hands-on experience with optical systems can really set you apart from the competition.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical questions! Brush up on your knowledge of spectroscopy and optical instrumentation. Be ready to discuss your past projects and how you tackled challenges—this is your chance to shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our mission-driven team at iLoF.
We think you need these skills to ace Optical Instrumentation Engineer | Spectroscopy | Analytical Instrumentation | | AI | Photonics | HealthTech | Deep Tech Startup
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for optical instrumentation and personalized medicine shine through. We want to see your excitement about the role and how it aligns with our mission at iLoF!
Tailor Your CV: Make sure to customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in designing and building optical systems. We love seeing how your skills match up with what we’re looking for, so don’t hold back on those specifics!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your achievements and experiences are easy to read and understand. This helps us get a quick grasp of your fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at iLoF
✨Know Your Instruments
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the optical analytical instruments mentioned in the job description, like Raman and FTIR. Brush up on their principles and applications, as well as any recent advancements in the field. This will show your passion and expertise during the interview.
✨Hands-On Experience Matters
Be prepared to discuss your hands-on experience with optical systems. Bring examples of past projects where you designed, built, or calibrated instruments. Highlight any challenges you faced and how you overcame them, as this demonstrates your problem-solving skills and resourcefulness.
✨Collaboration is Key
Since the role involves cross-functional collaboration, think of examples where you've worked with diverse teams. Be ready to share how you communicated effectively with scientists, engineers, or other stakeholders to achieve common goals. This will showcase your ability to be a low-ego collaborator.
✨Safety First!
Familiarise yourself with lab safety protocols and ISO standards relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss how you ensure safety in your work, especially when dealing with lasers and complex instrumentation. This shows that you take compliance seriously and are committed to maintaining a safe working environment.