Research Associate in RF Engineering for MRI

Overview

We have an exciting opportunity available for an experienced radio frequency coil engineer to join the POLARIS research group in the School of Medicine and Population Health at the University of Sheffield.

The successful candidates will take forward methodological research in the engineering of multi nuclear RF coils for  applications hyperpolarised with 1H, 129Xe, and other nuclei and will be based in the POLARIS group,

The post holder will have the chance to work in close collaboration with engineers in GE Healthcare with whom we have a close collaboration that is co-funded by an EPSRC prosperity partnership.

Research will include RF coil engineering projects on 0.5T, 1.5T and 3T scanners with a focus on hyperpolarised 129Xe applications in lung and brain.

The candidate will work closely with other MRI physicists and engineers in the team, and alongside clinical partners at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

Possible duties and responsibilities

• RF coil development for 1H and 129Xe lung MRI.
• Design testing and construction of RF circuits
• Fault finding and maintenance of existing RF coils
• Contribute to the supervision of PhD and undergraduate students in the research group.
• Contribute to and actively participate in ongoing international collaborations with other academic, clinical and industrial research partners including GE Healthcare.
• Analyse and record data to aid future research and produce useful findings.
• Publishing high-impact papers as one of the main authors.
• Present results to collaborators of the project, members of the research group and external audiences to disseminate and publicise research findings.
• Contribute to MR imaging strategy in the Division to support further translational research.
• As a member of staff, you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University’s Sustainability Strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

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 is respected. Even if your experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, we believe your contribution could still be valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

Essential or desirable

Stage(s) assessed at

Good Honours degree in Physics or Electrical Engineering (or equivalent)

Essential

Application/interview

A PhD in RF Engineering (or equivalent)

Essential

Application/interview

Radio frequency coil engineering design and building experience

Essential

Application/interview

Radio frequency simulation experience

Essential

Application/interview

Experience in interfacing RF coils and switches with MRI scanners

Essential

Application/interview

Track record of publications in MR imaging journals as a first author

Essential

Application/interview

Ability to help supervise PhD students and researchers in technical aspects of MRI research

Essential

Application/interview

Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team

Essential

Application/interview

Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving

Essential

Application/interview

MRI pulse sequence programming experience in the GE EPIC environment

Desirable

Application/interview

Further Information

Grade: 7

Salary: £38,784 as per current university pay grades, with the potential to progress subject to performance

Work arrangement: Full-time 35 hours/week

Duration: March 2026 – March 2028

Line manager: Professor &/or Senior Scientist &/or Research Fellow

Direct reports: Professor &/or Senior Scientist &/or Research Fellow

Our website: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/polaris

For informal enquiries about this job contact Jim Wild at j.m.wild@sheffield.ac.uk

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in early March 2026. This will consist ofan interview comprising a short presentation on the candidates’ research experience to date followed by a hands on practical examination. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage shortly after the advert closes. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Jen Rodgers, Research Administrative Manager: on j.rodgers@sheffield.ac.uk or 0114 2159150

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

A basic with barred lists DBS check will be needed for this role. More details on the checks can be found on the Government website: gov.uk/criminal-record-checks-apply-role (opens in a new window).

Possession of a criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at the University of Sheffield. We recognise the value of steady employment in the rehabilitation process and examine each case in its own right. More information can be found on our Information for candidates page:- sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/candidates (opens in a new window).