Research Associate in Laser Marking Medical Device Traceability

Role: Research Associate in Laser Marking for Medical Device Traceability

Grade and Salary:Grade 7 - £37,694 - £47,389 per annum

FTE and working pattern:Full Time (1

FTE), Fixed term for 6 months

Reward and Benefits:33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days

The Research Associate will join the Applied Optics and Photonics (AOP) Group at Heriot-Watt University, a multidisciplinary research group with expertise in high-power lasers, laser materials processing, optical sensing and photonics-enabled manufacturing. The group brings together researchers working across fundamental and applied photonics, with strong links to industry and academic partners.

The post is funded by EPSRC Photonics & Quantum Accelerator (PQA) in a project involving Heriot-Watt University, the Medical Device Manufacturing Centre (MDMC), Aseptium Ltd and Spectrum Technologies Ltd, with engagement from NHS Scotland and Scottish Government stakeholders. The project brings together expertise in laser processing, medical-device manufacturing, decontamination and healthcare to address an important challenge in the traceability and lifecycle management of reusable surgical instruments.

The successful applicant will work within a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment, engaging with researchers, industrial partners, medical-device manufacturers and healthcare stakeholders. The role provides an opportunity to develop practical expertise in advanced laser processing while contributing to research with direct potential for industrial and clinical impact.

The Research Associate will work on the EPSRC-funded Photonics Place-based IAA project “Improving Medical Device Traceability Through Durable Laser Marking”. The project aims to develop and validate advanced laser marking processes that can provide durable, high-contrast and machine-readable identification of reusable medical devices throughout repeated cleaning, decontamination and sterilisation cycles.

Reliable identification and traceability of reusable surgical instruments are essential for patient safety, infection prevention, regulatory compliance and efficient healthcare management. However, conventional marking approaches can degrade during repeated exposure to aggressive cleaning and sterilisation processes. The project will investigate whether advanced laser processing, including nanosecond, picosecond and femtosecond laser technologies, can provide more durable markings while maintaining the surface properties required for effective cleaning, corrosion resistance and long-term device performance.

The postholder will work closely with colleagues at Heriot-Watt University and with project partners at the Medical Device Manufacturing Centre, Aseptium Ltd and Spectrum Technologies Ltd. The researcher will also engage with NHS and Scottish Government stakeholders to ensure that the research addresses practical requirements associated with medical-device traceability and decontamination.

The applicant will be line managed by Dr Carolina Tacchella and will work closely with Prof. Duncan Hand and Prof. Martin McCoustra, as well as colleagues across the Applied Optics and Photonics Group and the wider project team. The applicant will be expected to contribute to regular project meetings, partner engagement, dissemination activities and the preparation of technical and scientific outputs.

The role offers an excellent opportunity for a researcher interested in laser materials processing, photonics, advanced manufacturing or medical-device technology to work on a multidisciplinary project with clear routes towards industrial translation and future commercial application.

For any queries or further information, please email Dr Carolina…