Research Fellow in Optical Imaging of the Infant Brain(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Job Description

About the Department

UCL’s Department of Medical Physics & Biomedical Engineering is one of the UK’s most established centres for healthcare engineering research and education. The department brings together expertise from physics, electronic engineering, computer science, mathematics, clinical medicine, chemistry, and biology to tackle complex healthcare challenges.

A defining feature of the department is its strong focus on clinical translation. Through close partnerships with leading NHS hospitals in London and across the UK, research outputs are rapidly developed into technologies that can improve diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment in real clinical settings.

Research Environment

This post is based within the Biomedical Optics Research Laboratory (BORL), the largest academic biomedical optics group in Europe. BORL specialises in developing advanced optical systems for medical diagnostics and imaging, with a strong emphasis on real-world clinical application.

In collaboration with clinicians at The Rosie Hospital, Cambridge, the research team has secured funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to develop a novel optical imaging approach for detecting and assessing brain injury in newborn infants. This project aims to support safer, earlier, and more accurate diagnosis in neonatal intensive care environments.

About the Role

We are seeking a postdoctoral electronic engineer or physicist to join an internationally recognised multidisciplinary team at the forefront of infant brain imaging research.

In this role, you will lead the design, development, and evaluation of a new optical imaging system intended for use in neonatal intensive care units. You will work closely with clinicians, physicists, engineers, and computer scientists to ensure the system is robust, clinically appropriate, and capable of delivering meaningful diagnostic data.

This is a hands-on research position combining hardware development, software engineering, data processing, and clinical evaluation, offering a rare opportunity to see engineering innovation translated directly into neonatal healthcare practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, assemble, and test novel opto-electronic imaging hardware
• Develop software for system control, data calibration, processing, and image visualisation
• Evaluate system performance using tissue-mimicking phantoms and adult volunteers
• Support ethically approved imaging studies involving newborn infants
• Work closely with clinical partners in hospital environments
• Analyse and interpret imaging data in collaboration with the wider research team
• Present research findings at international conferences
• Contribute to peer-reviewed journal publications
• Support public engagement activities and departmental research initiatives

All research involving human participants will be conducted in line with UK clinical research governance and ethics frameworks.

About You

You will be a motivated and collaborative researcher with a strong technical background and an interest in applying engineering and physics to neonatal healthcare challenges.

Essential Criteria

• A PhD in electronic engineering, physics, or a closely related discipline
• Experience designing, assembling, and testing electronic or opto-electronic systems
• Understanding of optical imaging principles and technologies
• Strong data processing and computational skills
• Experience authoring or contributing to scientific publications
• Excellent communication skills and professionalism when working with clinical and external partners
• Willingness to contribute to outreach and public engagement activities

Visa and International Applicants

This role meets the eligibility criteria for sponsorship under UK Visas and Immigration routes. UCL welcomes applications from international researchers who require a visa to work in the UK.

What We Offer

Alongside the opportunity to work on clinically impactful research, UCL provides a comprehensive benefits package to support your wellbeing and career development.

Benefits include:

• 41 days’ leave per year (27 annual leave, 8 public holidays, 6 closure days)
• Option to purchase up to 5 additional days’ annual leave
• Membership of a defined benefit CARE pension scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme and season ticket loan
• Immigration loan and relocation support (where eligible)
• On-site nursery and gym facilities
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption pay
• Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support
• Discounted medical insurance

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

UCL is committed to creating an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and able to thrive, in line with the principles of the Equality Act 2010

We particularly encourage applications from individuals who are underrepresented in higher education and research, including people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQI+ communities.

The department holds an Athena SWAN Bronze Award, recognising its commitment to advancing gender equality in STEM disciplines.

How to Apply

Applications should include:

• A CV
• A cover letter explaining how you meet the essential and desirable criteria