Research Fellow in Quantum Biomedical Sensors

Professor John Morton’s group at the London Centre for Nanotechnology develops novel methods and devices for spin resonance and quantum sensing, with applications spanning materials science, biochemistry and, increasingly, biomedicine. We are appointing a Research Fellow to develop quantum sensors based on optically readable spin defects (such as nitrogen-vacancy centres in diamond) and translate them into biocompatible, in‑vivo‑ready devices. The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary team working closely with clinicians and biomedical scientists as part of the UK Quantum Biomedical Sensing (Q‑BIOMED) Research Hub, the UK’s first quantum research hub dedicated to healthcare.

The London Centre for Nanotechnology (LCN) is an interdisciplinary enterprise between University College London, King’s College London and Imperial College London. In bringing together world‑class infrastructure and leading nanotechnology research activities, the Centre aims to attain the critical mass to compete with the best facilities abroad. The LCN has strong relationships with the broader nanotechnology and commercial communities, and is involved in much major collaboration. As the world’s only such facility to be located in the heart of a metropolis, the LCN has superb access to corporate, investment and industrial partners. It is at the forefront of training in nanotechnology, and has a strong media presence aimed at educating the public and bringing transparency to this emerging science.

The Q‑BIOMED Hub is led by UCL, supported by £24 million from UKRI and the NIHR, and brings together academic partners, NHS trusts, industry and patient groups to translate quantum sensing technologies into clinical practice, spanning cancer, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s and infectious diseases.

This 18‑month post is funded as part of the UK Quantum Biomedical Sensing (Q‑BIOMED) Research Hub. The post holder will develop quantum sensors based on optically readable spin defects such as nitrogen‑vacancy (NV) centres in diamond and related colour centres and engineer these into biocompatible quantum sensor platforms suitable for in‑vivo biomedical sensing applications. The role will combine computational modelling of magnetic field distributions and sensor performance, materials and device engineering (spin defect characterisation, optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR), sensor packaging and biocompatibility) with applied translational work, in close collaboration with clinicians and biomedical scientists within the Q‑BIOMED Hub, to take quantum sensing concepts from the laboratory towards real‑world, in‑vivo diagnostic use. The post holder will work closely with clinical partners to define performance requirements, design experiments addressing key translational challenges for use in physiologically relevant environments and disseminate results to both the quantum sensing and relevant clinical communities.

The ideal candidate will hold a PhD in a relevant area of experimental physics, materials science, biomedical engineering, or a related discipline, or will have submitted their PhD thesis in a relevant field prior to taking up the appointment.