Research Fellow in Environmental Sensors

Cranfield University; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading specialized postgraduate university in the United Kingdom is looking for a Research Fellow in Environmental Sensors. The role involves conducting innovative research on environmental sensor development to tackle antimicrobial resistance. Candidates should have a relevant doctoral degree and experience in biosensing and microfluidics. This is a full-time position with a salary range of £34,450 to £37,337 per annum. Flexible working options are available, and collaboration with Harvard University is part of the role.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Contact opportunity with leading experts

Opportunity to work on a transformative research programme

Qualifications

• Experience in sensor development and wastewater surveillance.
• Skills in designing experiments and troubleshooting.
• Collaboration and mentoring experience in interdisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on environmental sensor development.
• Monitor pathogens and antimicrobial resistance genes.
• Utilise tools in collaboration with Harvard University.

Skills

Biosensing

Microfluidics

Microbiology

Antimicrobial resistance

Experimental skills

Education

Doctoral degree in biosensing, microfluidics, environmental science, or microbiology

Tools

CRISPR/Cas diagnostics

Paper-based microfluidics

High-throughput single-cell analysis

Job description

Organisation/Company Cranfield University Department HR & Development Group Research Field Environmental science Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Master Positions Country United Kingdom Application Deadline 3 Feb 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/London) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number 5183 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Environmental Sustainability

Research Fellow in Environmental Sensors

Full time starting salary (if PhD close to completion) is normally in the range of £34,450 per annum

Full time starting salary (if PhD obtained) is normally in the range of £37,337 per annum

Location: Cranfield, Bedfordshire

We welcome applications from a Research Fellow with a strong passion for and experience in biosensing, microfluidics, microbiology and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The successful candidate will join our Advanced Sensors team and contribute to the One Health Environmental Sensingproject, which focuses on the development of novel sensors to enhance the understanding of multi-drug resistance and track antimicrobial resistance using a One Health approach.

About the Role

The postholder’s primary responsibility is to conduct cutting-edge research on environmental sensor development for monitoring pathogens and antimicrobial resistance genes, utilising state-of-the-art facilities in the Advanced Sensors Laboratory at Cranfield University. This will involve cutting-edge tools, including CRISPR/Cas diagnostics, paper-based microfluidics, high-throughput single-cell analysis using droplet-based microfluidics, in collaboration with Harvard University and industrial partners. The successful candidate will be working with Professors Zhugen Yang and Frederic Coulon in Cranfield, and they are likely to be seconded to a partner University for collaborative study, subject to progress.

Cranfield University has a proud reputation for its research on the science, engineering and management of water, and we have been driving innovation for over 40 years. You will contribute a major UKRI-funded programme, tackling one of the most urgent global health challenges.The successful candidate will join a vibrant, interdisciplinary collaboration bringing together leading expertise in biosensing, microfluidics, microbiology, and environmental health.You will contribute to the delivery of Cranfield University’s research portfolio in the Advanced Sensors Laboratory for Water-Environment-Health, led by Professor Zhugen Yang .

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a transformative UKRI-funded research programme addressing one of the most pressing global health challenges, in collaboration with leading experts in the areas of biosensing and microfluidics, microbiology, and environmental health.

About You

You will hold a doctoral degree (or be near completion) in biosensing, microfluidics, environmental science, microbiology or a related discipline. You will have demonstrable experience with experimental skill sets, including sensor development, wastewater surveillance, or reverse inference modelling for source tracking. You will bring laboratory expertise in designing experiments, handling advanced instruments, and troubleshooting. Collaboration and mentoring within interdisciplinary teams are also desirable.

About Us

As a specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield’s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships are creating leaders in technology and management globally. Learn more about Cranfield and our unique impact here .

The group has received national and international acclaim, including coverage in Science, BBC News, and The Washington Post for its research on wastewater monitoring and origami-based paper sensors.

Our Values and Commitments

Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out more here .

We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential. We are a Disability Confident Employer and proud members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme. We are committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role and have beenranked in the Top 30 family friendly employers in the UK by the charity Working Families . Find out more about our key commitments to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Flexible Working here .

Working Arrangements

Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides many staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners.

How to apply

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Professor Zhugen Yang, Professor of Biosensing and Environmental Health, on (T): [phone] or (E): [e-mail]

Closing date for receipt of applications: 3 February 2026

Please note that we reserve the right to close this advert prior to the stated closing date should we receive sufficient numbers of applications. Therefore, we would encourage you to complete and submit your application as soon as possible.