Research Associate/Fellow (FTC) (ENG134625)

University of Nottingham; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in the UK seeks a Research Fellow for a project on the mechanical properties of cancer tissue. The role involves characterising cancer cells using advanced imaging techniques and developing opto-acoustic instrumentation. Candidates should have a PhD in Engineering, Optics, or Physics. The institution offers competitive benefits including staff discounts and a highly attractive pension scheme.

Benefits

Competitive employment packages

Staff discounts

Attractive pension scheme

Qualifications

• PhD in Engineering, optics or physics is essential.
• Experience with GHz acoustic imaging is beneficial.
• Familiarity with nano-fabrication techniques is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Characterise cancer cells and tissue using GHz acoustic imaging.
• Develop instrumentation for elasticity-based biomarker detection.
• Collaborate with internal university research entities.

Skills

Knowledge of opto-acoustic instrumentation

Experience with Spectra Physics tsunami pulsed lasers

Understanding of time-resolved Brillouin Scattering

Experience with nano-fabrication

Education

PhD in Engineering, Optics or Physics

Job description

Organisation/Company University of Nottingham Research Field Biological sciences » Other Engineering » Biomedical engineering Engineering » Mechanical engineering Physics » Acoustics Physics » Optics Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Country United Kingdom Application Deadline 31 Oct 2025 - 23:59 (UTC) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The Optics and Photonics group at the Faculty of Engineering, has an opening for a Research fellow in our exciting project on the mechanical properties of cancer tissue. The project is based at University Park Campus and you will have a unique opportunity to undertake the characterisation of cancer cells and tissue using GHz acoustic imaging and characterisation techniques.

A key aspect of your role will be to use and develop opto-acoustic instrumentation to search for potential elasticity-based biomarkers for cancer. You will engage with several entities in the University such as the Biomolecular Science Institute and the Nano and Micro scale research Centre.

You should have or working towards a PhD in Engineering, optics or physics. Knowledge or experience on the use of Spectra Physics tsunami pulsed lasers, free space optics, picosecond ultrasonics, time-resolved Brillouin Scattering, nano-fabrication (such as electron beam lithography and focused ion beam, see requirements) are highly beneficial.

The University of Nottingham is committed to providing competitive employment packages whilst supporting the well-being of our staff to help them reach their full potential. As a University employee, you will have access to the resources of the university as well as a range of benefits and rewards, including staff discounts and travel schemes and a highly attractive pension scheme.

If you are interested in this position, please click 'apply now', answer to the shortlisting questions and submit a copy of your CV.