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. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

This is an exciting opportunity to play a central role in developing a novel "magnetobiotics" platform that combines chip-integrated quantum sensors with magnetically-labelled microbes for next-generation ecosystem interventions.

You will be responsible for the design, fabrication, and packaging of a photonic-integrated quantum sensor chip based on nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centres in diamond. Working within the University of Sheffield's world-class cleanroom facilities, you will use techniques including e-beam lithography, thin-film deposition, and photolithography to deliver a dedicated sensor array capable of detecting and tracking magnetically-labelled microorganisms.

The post offers a rare opportunity to shape a new device capability from the ground up within a highly interdisciplinary programme. You will contribute to a high-risk, high-reward research effort with clear technical milestones, access to advanced cleanroom infrastructure, and strong links to semiconductor and quantum technology activity at the University of Sheffield.

We are seeking a skilled fabrication specialist who is eager to translate cleanroom expertise into a real-world sensing platform with tangible ecological impact. If you want to be part of a collaborative team working at the frontier of quantum technology and conservation biology, we would love to hear from you.

This post is part of ARIA (the Advanced Research + Invention Agency), subject to contract negotiations.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Design, simulate, and fabricate photonic-integrated quantum sensor chips using cleanroom micro/nanofabrication processes including e-beam lithography, photolithography, thin-film deposition, and dry etching.
• Package and integrate the sensor chip into a robust testbed suitable for interfacing with ecological and biological samples.
• Characterise magnetic backgrounds in representative environmental media and calibrate sensor arrays, including systematic drift and noise characterisation. *Operate optical and microwave measurement setups for NV-centre-based quantum magnetometry, including optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) experiments.
• Develop and iterate sensor designs to optimise standoff distance and sensitivity for detecting magnetically-labelled microbes.
• Develop Python-based software for experiment automation, data acquisition, and analysis.
• Collaborate with the microbiology team at Queen Mary University of London on system integration, ensuring the sensor platform is compatible with microbial tracking and magnetic gradient recovery experiments.
• Analyse and interpret experimental data, and prepare results for publication in high-impact peer-reviewed journals and presentation at international conferences.
• Contribute to the supervision of PhD and Master's students.
• 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 are respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Further Information

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in mid-September 2025. This will consist of an interview and a presentation on your previous research. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage by early September 2025. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact eee-operations@sheffield.ac.uk.

Our vision and strategic plan

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

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days 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

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a 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.

Closing Date : 05/06/2026 

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.