At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop cutting-edge quantum sensors for biomedical applications in collaboration with clinicians.
- Company: Join Professor John Morton's innovative team at the London Centre for Nanotechnology.
- Benefits: 41 days holiday, pension scheme, gym access, and employee support services.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare with groundbreaking quantum sensing technology.
- Qualifications: PhD in experimental physics, materials science, or biomedical engineering required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
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.
About the role
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.
About you
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. The post holder will have hands‑on experience in at least two of the following areas:
- Computational modelling or simulation relevant to quantum sensors (e.g., finite‑element modelling, electromagnetic simulation, or numerical modelling of sensor performance).
- Optical and/or microwave spin manipulation and readout of solid‑state spin defects (e.g., NV centres in diamond, silicon carbide defects, or related colour centres).
- Sensor packaging, biocompatible materials, or surface functionalisation for biological or biomedical applications.
- Quantum sensing or quantum metrology techniques (e.g., magnetometry, thermometry, or related sensing modalities).
- Biomedical, in‑vitro, or in‑vivo experimental work, ideally undertaken in collaboration with clinical or biomedical research partners.
What we offer
As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits:
- 41 days holiday (27 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays and 6 closure days)
- Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme
- Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
- Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
- Immigration loan
- Relocation scheme for certain posts
- On‑site gym
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
- Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women. Our department holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award, in recognition of our long‑term commitment and 'beacon' status in advancing gender equality.
Contact Details:
UK Dementia Research Institute Recruitment Team
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