Quantum Sensor Nanofabrication Research Associate

Job Title:

Research Associate in Quantum Sensor Nanofabrication

Posting

Start Date:

22/05/2026

Closing Date: 05/06/2026

Job

School/Department:
Electrical & Electronic Engineering

Work Arrangement:
Full Time (On site)

Contract Type:
Fixed-term

Salary per annum (£): £38,784 - 41,064

Duration:
Fixed term until 30 April 2028 with immediate start

This is an exciting opportunity to play a central role in developing a novel "magnetobiotics" platform that combines chip-integrated quantum sensors with magnetically-labelled microbes for next-generation ecosystem interventions.

You will be responsible for the design, fabrication, and packaging of a photonic-integrated quantum sensor chip based on nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centres in diamond. Working within the University of Sheffield's world-class cleanroom facilities, you will use techniques including e-beam lithography, thin-film deposition, and photolithography to deliver a dedicated sensor array capable of detecting and tracking magnetically-labelled microorganisms.

• Design, simulate, and fabricate photonic-integrated quantum sensor chips using cleanroom micro/nanofabrication processes including e-beam lithography, photolithography, thin-film deposition, and dry etching.
• Package and integrate the sensor chip into a robust testbed suitable for interfacing with ecological and biological samples.
• Characterise magnetic backgrounds in representative environmental media and calibrate sensor arrays, including systematic drift and noise characterisation.
• Operate optical and microwave measurement setups for NV-centre-based quantum magnetometry, including optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) experiments.
• Develop and iterate sensor designs to optimise standoff distance and sensitivity for detecting magnetically-labelled microbes.
• Develop Python-based software for experiment automation, data acquisition, and analysis.
• Collaborate with the microbiology team at Queen Mary University of London on system integration, ensuring the sensor platform is compatible with microbial tracking and magnetic gradient recovery experiments.
• Analyse and interpret experimental data, and prepare results for publication in high-impact peer-reviewed journals and presentation at international conferences.
• Contribute to the supervision of PhD and Master’s students.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and are respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Essential Criteria

• Hold or be close to completing a PhD in electronic engineering, physics, materials science, or a related discipline (or have equivalent experience).
• Strong cleanroom fabrication experience including e-beam lithography, photolithography, thin-film deposition, and dry etching.
• Experience designing and fabricating micro/nanophotonic or microelectronic devices.
• Experience of developing, refining, and documenting fabrication process flows for research devices and the ability to use characterisation results to guide process improvement.
• Proficiency in programming for experiment control and data analysis (e.g., Python).
• Experience of publishing in peer-reviewed journals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience writing publications/reports and presenting your findings to a range of audiences.
• Ability to work effectively within a team environment including individuals both internal and external to the University.
• Ability to plan own workload and prioritise conflicting deadlines.
• Desire to mentor undergraduate and PhD students.
• Experience with quantum sensing, optically detected magnetic resonance, or NV-centre magnetometry.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience with semiconductor foundry processes, process development, or photonic circuit design (Raith Elphy, Klayout,…