| Location: | Falmer |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £38,784 to £46,049 per annum, pro rata if part time, Grade 7 |
| Hours: | Full Time |
| Contract Type: | Fixed-Term/Contract |
| Placed On: | 21st April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Closes: | 28th April 2026 |
| Job Ref: | 43359 |
About the role
As a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA), you will design, build, validate and test optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) for use in sleep neurophysiology. Working within the Quantum Systems and Devices research group (QSD), you will take a lead role in adapting our modular OPM platform for volunteer sleep studies, including optimising sensor configuration and mounting for recordings while participants are lying down, characterising performance (noise and bandwidth), and delivering robust experimental protocols. You will work closely with colleagues at Sussex and collaborate with partners in sleep neuroscience. You will be embedded within the QSD OPM team and work day-to-day with other PDRAs, an electronic engineer and software developer, ensuring the sensor hardware, control electronics and analysis tools are developed and tested as an integrated system.
This role combines hands-on experimental physics and engineering with applied biomedical measurement.
About you
Ideally, you will have a PhD in experimental quantum physics, with a strong track record of hands-on laboratory work. Experience with optically pumped magnetometers or closely related atomic/optical instrumentation is highly desirable. You will be confident working across hardware and software, able to plan and deliver experiments independently, and comfortable documenting methods and results to a high standard.
You will communicate clearly within a multidisciplinary team and with external collaborators, and you will work effectively alongside other PDRAs, an electronic engineer and software developers to deliver an integrated measurement system.
About our School
Please find further information regarding the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences.
The School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences is proud to hold a Bronze Athena Swan Award.
Why work here
Find out more about our reward and benefits package.
Find out about our equality, diversity and inclusion.
Further Key Information
Please contact Dr Fedja Orucevic (F.Orucevic@sussex.ac.uk) for informal enquiries.
The University is committed to equality and valuing diversity, and applications are particularly welcomed from women and black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine and Mathematics (STEMM) at Sussex.
The University of Sussex values the diversity of its staff and students, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
Eligibility
Visa Sponsorship Queries: This role has been assigned an eligible SOC code and meets the salary requirements for Skilled Worker Sponsorship if full time and appointed at Grade 7.4. Please consult our Skilled Worker Visa information page for further information about Visa Sponsorship.
Please note that this position may be subject to ATAS clearance if you require visa sponsorship.
The University requires that work undertaken for the University is performed in the UK.
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