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 develop AI-driven computational models for multimodal optical imaging data analysis and real-time tissue viability mapping and work as part of a research team.

Essential Qualifications

• PhD in Laser Physics, Optical Engineering, Photonics, or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated expertise in multiphoton microscopy, nonlinear optics, or ultrafast laser systems.
• Proven experience in optical system design, simulation, and alignment, including the use of tools such as Zemax, LightTools, or equivalent.
• Experience with hyperspectral imaging systems, advanced detectors, or other high-resolution optical imaging modalities.
• Track record of translational or applied photonics research, including development of prototypes or demonstrators suitable for preclinical or clinical use.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise and mentor junior researchers, PhD students, or research assistants in optical engineering projects.
• Proven record of high-quality outputs, such as peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, patents, or contributions to standards.
• Experience with laser safety standards and compliance, including IEC 60825 and relevant institutional or national safety procedures.
• Strong computational and analytical skills, including experience in optical modelling, image processing, or data analysis software relevant to photonics experiments.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills, including experience working with interdisciplinary teams, industry partners, or clinical collaborators.
• Ability to plan, manage, and deliver research objectives within complex projects, including multi-stakeholder coordination.

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