Research Associate – Mono-Responsive Microbubbles Acoustically-Triggered Drug Release

Research Associate – Mono-Responsive Microbubbles for Acoustically-Triggered Drug Release

Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, United Kingdom.

Imperial College London is seeking a Research Associate to contribute to an innovative, multidisciplinary research programme focused on the development of mono-responsive micro-bubbles for acoustically-triggered drug delivery. This role is part of a collaborative, cross-institutional initiative aimed at advancing non‑invasive, brain‑targeted therapeutic delivery platforms.

The successful candidate will design, fabricate, and evaluate micro-bubbles with tailored shell and gas properties, and conjugate them with drug‑loaded liposomes to enable ultrasound‑triggered drug release. The role involves working closely with experts in microfluidics, acoustics, and biomedical engineering, contributing to a high‑impact research environment.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing lipid‑based formulations.
• Characterising micro-bubbles and liposomes using advanced analytical techniques.
• Assessing their stability and performance under acoustic stimulation.
• Contributing to scientific publications.
• Supervising junior researchers where appropriate.
• Supporting the planning and execution of project milestones within a collaborative research framework.

Eligibility:

• Applicants must hold a PhD (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline such as chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, chemistry, materials science, or a closely related field.
• Candidates nearing completion of their PhD may also be considered.

Required expertise and skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in lipid chemistry and formulation of micro-bubbles and/or liposomes.
• Strong understanding of the physical and chemical principles governing microbubble and liposome formation and stability.
• Experience with characterisation techniques such as dynamic light scattering (DLS), optical microscopy, or related analytical tools.
• Proven ability to design and conduct independent research within an interdisciplinary environment.
• Strong publication record or potential to publish in high-impact journals.
• Ability to collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team and contribute to joint research goals.
• Excellent organisational, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Self‑motivation and the ability to drive research projects forward independently.

Salary: £49,017 – £57,472 per annum, with additional benefits including generous pension schemes and annual leave.