Job Description

Job Title:

Research Associate in RF Engineering for MRI

Posting Start Date:

19/01/2026

Job Id:

2131

School/Department:

School of Medicine & Population Health

Work Arrangement:

Full Time (On site)

Contract Type:

Fixed-term

Salary per annum ():

38,784.00

Closing Date:

10/02/2026
The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.



We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.

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 of an 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 ().

What we offer

A minimum of 41days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more. Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles. Generous pension scheme. A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel. A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks). Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role. A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways A range of generous family-friendly policies + paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
+ support for those going through the menopause
+ paid time off and support for fertility treatment
+ and more





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.

Criminal record

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).

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.