Research Fellow - Prototype Engineer / Software Engineer

Description of Post

SensABLATE is a flagship collaborative research initiative funded under the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF), bringing together academic, clinical, and industry partners to develop next-generation precision imaging technologies for lung cancer therapy. The project aims to deliver a transformative intraoperative decision-support platform by integrating advanced optical imaging with artificial intelligence to enable real-time tissue viability assessment and therapy guidance. Through SensABLATE, ATU will advance translational biophotonics and intelligent imaging platforms toward clinical deployment, strengthening Ireland’s position in next-generation medical device innovation.

The successful candidate will lead the design and development of prototype imaging systems and associated software platforms and work as part of a research team. The role involves close collaboration with AI researchers, optical engineers, clinicians, and industry partners to ensure robust system performance, regulatory alignment, and clinical usability.

Essential Qualifications

• PhD in Engineering, Applied Physics, Computer Engineering, or a closely related discipline, or substantial and demonstrable cognate professional experience (minimum 7 years) at a senior research or engineering level, including leadership of applied R&D projects with industry and healthcare partners.

• Proven track record of delivering applied technological solutions, including functional prototypes, demonstrators, translational systems, or commercially deployable platforms.

• Evidence of high-quality outputs, such as peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, patents, industry-standard deliverables, or regulatory documentation.

• Experience in supervising and mentoring junior researchers, engineers, or postgraduate students, and leading multidisciplinary project teams.

• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with a record of working effectively with SMEs, clinical collaborators, and innovation-focused organisations.

• Advanced software engineering skills, including Python, C/C++, real time control systems, embedded programming, and GPU-accelerated computing.

• Experience in hardware-software integration, including control of optical, imaging, and detection hardware systems.

• Experience in system verification, validation, and troubleshooting of complex prototypes and imaging platforms.

• Ability to plan, manage, and deliver project objectives within tight timelines and coordinate across multi-stakeholder teams.

• Strong innovation and problem-solving skills, capable of translating experimental research into functional, deployable systems.

• Commitment to high-quality documentation, technical reporting, and dissemination of project outputs.

Advert information