Research Fellow in Sensor Technology - Project STARLITE

Queen's University Belfast; Belfast City District; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday entitlement up to 8.4 weeks

Pension schemes

Flexible working options

Job summary

Queen's University Belfast is seeking a Senior Engineer to lead the development of demonstrator MEMS-based sensor units for STARLITE, coordinating packaging, calibration and DSP workflows. The role requires hands-on engineering, experimental capability, and strong collaboration with PIs to move technology from lab to real-world environments.

You will integrate MEMS dies and optoelectronic components, document results, and guide technical teams towards a robust, field-ready solution with

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant discipline (MEMS sensors, microengineering, mechanical or electrical engineering, applied physics) required.
• Research or engineering experience in MEMS sensors, microfabricated devices or precision instrumentation.
• Experience integrating hardware components (MEMS dies, optical components, packaging).
• Experience in mechanical and electrical design of MEMS devices.
• Experience conducting and analysing experimental measurements, including calibration.
• Experience implementing DSP solutions.
• Track record of working effectively in a research or engineering team.
• Strong publication record for career stage.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of professional-grade demonstrator MEMS sensor units for external partners.
• Oversight of sensor packaging, packaging design, calibration and documentation.
• Support PIs in translating lab work to real-world environments; drive technical leadership.
• Coordinate integration of MEMS dies with optoelectronic systems and signal-processing workflows.

Skills

Experimentation

MEMS sensors integration

DSP

Calibration

Hardware integration

Team collaboration

Publication record

Education

PhD in MEMS / mechanical / electrical engineering or applied physics

Tools

MEMS packaging

Optoelectronics integration

Job description

Job description

About the Role

UKRI-funded Project STARLITE (super-miniature ultra-sensitive force sensors for small innovative spacecraft, next-gen aircraft and cutting-edge biotech applications) is an ambitious 12-month programme advancing a new class of ultra-sensitive MEMS-based surface force sensors from TRL4 to TRL5. We are recruiting an ambitious Senior Engineer with strong experimental engineering expertise to lead the development of professional-grade demonstrator units suitable for deployment to external partners. We are looking for a hands‑on practical engineer who is skilled in technology integration. Demonstratable experience with integrating optoelectronics is desirable.

This is a strategically important role that sits at the centre of the platform’s technical integration. The post holder will play a critical role in bringing together sensor dies, packaging, optoelectronic systems integration, calibration, and signal-processing workflows to produce robust, field‑ready demonstrators. The role requires technical leadership, hands‑on engineering capability, excellent organisational and communication skills, and the ambition to shape a future spin‑out company. As such, the position offers a unique opportunity for substantial long‑term career progression. The project is on a clear commercialisation pathway—including preparation for ICURe Explore and assessment of spin‑out routes—and the successful candidate will be ideally placed to take a major technical leadership role in any future spin‑out opportunity as the technology transitions toward commercial deployment.

The post holder will lead on sensor packaging, packaging design, calibration, documentation, supporting the PIs in driving the technology from laboratory to real‑world environments.

About the Person

Applicants must demonstrate the following:

• Have or be about to obtain a PhD in a relevant discipline (e.g., MEMS sensors, microengineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, applied physics, or related field).
• Recent and relevant research or engineering experience in MEMS sensors, microfabricated devices, or precision instrumentation.
• Experience integrating hardware components (e.g., MEMS dies, optical components, mechanical packaging).
• Experience in the mechanical and electrical design of MEMS devices.
• Experience conducting and analysing experimental measurements, including calibration.
• Experience implementing digital signal processing (DSP) solutions.
• Track record of working effectively within a research or engineering team.
• Strong publication record commensurate with career stage.

What We Are Looking For:

An adaptable engineer with a background in precision mechanical packaging, MEMS/optoelectronics integration, or sensor calibration. You should possess strong relationship‑building skills to effectively liaise with external suppliers, consultants, and wind tunnel facilities.

To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information.

Fixed‑term contract (12 months). Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.

What we offer:

Beyond a competitive salary, the University offers an attractive benefits package including a holiday entitlement of up to 8.4 weeks a year, pension schemes and development opportunities. We support staff wellbeing with flexible working options, work‑life balance initiatives and support for physical and mental health. You can find more detail on all of this and more at https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/HumanResources/pay-reward-and-benefits/ .

Queen's University is committed to promoting equality of opportunity to all. We subscribe to Equality Charter Marks such as the Diversity Charter Mark NI and Athena Swan and have established staff networks such as iRise (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International Staff Network) and PRISM (LGBTQ+) which help us progress equality. For further information on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, please visit www.qub.ac.uk/diversity .

If you are an international applicant and don't already hold a visa that permits you to take up the role you are applying for, please use the information provided on our website to self‑assess whether the University is likely to be able to support a visa application - http://go.qub.ac.uk/internationalstaffsupport .