Research Assistant

SMALP; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Science and Technology Facilities Council at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell seeks a Research Assistant to develop and integrate 3D-printed microfluidic devices with a custom optical imaging platform. The role includes image analysis, data processing, and automated cell detection within preclinical validation workflows.

Supervised by Profs. Lin Wang and Simon Buczacki, you will contribute to quantitative assessments of system performance and disseminate findings through internal reporting

Qualifications

• Background in Bioengineering, Biophysics, Physics or Biology.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and in a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience with 3D-printed microfluidic devices.
• Experience or aptitude in optical microscopy and image-analysis workflows.

Responsibilities

• Assist in development and integration of 3D-printed microfluidic devices with a custom optical imaging platform.
• Support experimental workflows combining microfluidic sample processing with advanced microscopy.
• Perform image processing, data analysis, and computational workflows, including automated cell-detection approaches.
• Support preclinical validation studies using model biological samples.
• Deliver quantitative assessments of system performance and experimental outcomes.
• Participate in research dissemination through internal reporting, collaborative discussions, and presentations at conferences.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Independent work

Team collaboration

Learning mindset

Education

Bioengineering/Biophysics/Physics/Biology background

Tools

3D-printed microfluidic devices

Optical microscopy

Job description

Job Description:

Contract Type: Fixed-Term (12 Months)

Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire

Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers, technicians, and business support team explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. Whether it is sending probes into space or finding new ways to treat cancer, everyone here plays a vital role in making a positive difference to society.

Come and discover how much you can achieve when you are surrounded by world-leading experts, encouraged to constantly learn, and empowered to explore your curiosity.

About the Role

We are seeking a motivated and well-organised researcher with strong analytical skills and a collaborative mindset to join the team as a Research Assistant. The role will involve developing and integrating 3D-printed microfluidic devices with a custom super-resolution optical microscope, as well as contributing to image analysis and data-processing workflows. You will work on analytical and computational methods, including advanced microscopy image analysis and automated cell detection. The post also involves supporting preclinical validation studies using model biological samples and delivering quantitative assessments of system performance. The personnel will be co-supervised by Profs. Lin Wang at STFC and Simon Buczacki at the University of Oxford.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist in the development and integration of 3D-printed microfluidic devices with a custom optical imaging platform.
• Support experimental workflows combining microfluidic sample processing with advanced microscopy.
• Perform image processing, data analysis, and computational workflows, including automated cell-detection approaches.
• Support preclinical validation studies using model biological samples.
• Deliver quantitative assessments of system performance and experimental outcomes.
• Participate in research dissemination through internal reporting, collaborative discussions, and presentations at conferences.

Shortlisting Criteria

(Please note the criteria below will be assessed at Shortlisting or Interview stage as indicated)

• A motivated and well-organised person from Bioengineering, Biophysics, Physics or Biology background, with a strong interest in biomedical or imaging research. (S)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail. (S)
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary research team. (S)
• Willingness and capacity to learn new experimental, analytical, and computational techniques. (S)
• Experience or demonstrated aptitude in developing and integrating 3D-printed microfluidic devices or similar laboratory systems. (S&I)
• Experience or demonstrated aptitude in optical microscopy and image-analysis workflows, including automated or computational analysis. (S&I)

We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe, to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers, and business-support team explore the unknown across every field you could think of. And they turn what they find into work that changes the world around us.

Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information, please visit Skilled Worker visa: How much it costs - GOV.UK

£32,315 per annum. Salary: Band C (S2)