Research Fellow in Biomedical Ultrasound(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Job Description

About UCL & Our Group

The Biomedical Ultrasound Group in UCL’s Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering houses a multidisciplinary team of researchers, engineers, and physicists. Our expertise spans physical acoustics, numerical modelling, ultrasound instrumentation, metrology, and in vivo experimentation. We collaborate with clinicians, academics, and industrial partners, and our work is world-leading in modelling ultrasonic propagation through biological media, ultrasound metrology, and the development of therapeutic ultrasound systems (e.g., neuromodulation, rewarming of cryopreserved tissues).

The department itself is one of the UK’s largest in medical physics and biomedical engineering, bringing together diverse expertise from physics, engineering, mathematics, medicine, computer science, and physiology. We are committed to innovation in imaging, monitoring, and medical device development for diagnosis and therapy.

Role Description

We invite applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join our team under a UKRI-funded project focused on therapeutic ultrasound, specifically:

• Transcranial ultrasonic neuromodulation
• Ultrasonic rewarming of cryopreserved biological materials

As part of this role, you will:

• Conduct experimental research in a collaborative, multidisciplinary team led by Dr Elly Martin, Prof Ben Cox, and Dr Harriet Lea‑Banks.
• Perform ultrasound metrology (characterisation of ultrasound fields) for high-intensity or low-frequency therapeutic applications.
• Develop and build experimental setups and phantoms to validate computational models of wave propagation in complex media.
• Design and characterize materials’ acoustic properties, including measuring thermal and secondary effects like ultrasonic heating.
• Potentially design and prototype ultrasound hardware or system components.
• Present research results at internal meetings and international conferences.
• Write and submit scholarly articles to peer-reviewed journals.
• Contribute actively to the broader research group and department, including collaboration, mentoring, and promoting good research culture.
• The post is funded for 2 years, with expected funding until 31 October 2028.

Candidate Profile

We are seeking an individual who has:

• A Bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related physical science field.
• Completed (or nearing completion of) a PhD in acoustics, ultrasound, physics, engineering, or a related domain — or equivalent research experience.
• Strong practical laboratory and engineering skills, particularly in acoustics / ultrasound physics.
• Demonstrable experience (or solid understanding) in ultrasound metrology, system design, signal processing, or related techniques.
• Knowledge of MATLAB (or similar) for signal processing and data analysis is desirable.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
• A track record (or promise) in publishing research in peer-reviewed journals.
• Team-working spirit, professionalism, and commitment to inclusive research practices.

Benefits & What We Offer

• Annual Leave: 41 days (27 days’ vacation, 8 bank holidays, 6 UCL closure days)
• Pension: Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE) scheme

Other Benefits:

• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Season-ticket loan
• Immigration loan (if applicable)
• Relocation support (for eligible candidates)
• On-site gym and nursery
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Enhanced parental leave (maternity, paternity, adoption)

Visa & Sponsorship

UCL can sponsor this role under UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) for international candidates. Options may include:

• Skilled Worker Visa, for which the employer must hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship.
• Global Talent Visa, especially for researchers; this is a common route for those employed on UKRI-funded grants.
• UCL is experienced in supporting visa applications for academic researchers, including ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) where needed.

Terms & Conditions

• The appointment will follow UCL’s Terms & Conditions for Academic Staff. See UCL’s policy for further details.
• Flexible working (e.g., part-time or job share) will be considered where possible.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

UCL is deeply committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive environment. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, including:

• Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates
• LGBTQI+ individuals
• People with disabilities
• Applicants from any other under-represented group in academia

Application Process

• Please prepare a CV and a Cover Letter.
• In your Cover Letter, clearly explain how you meet the criteria in both the essential and the desirable sections of the person specification. This is critical for selection.
• Submit your application via UCL’s online recruitment system, attaching both CV and Cover Letter in the relevant sections.