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

The University MRI Unit is an active research unit focused on MR imaging, which beyond pulmonary MRI includes neuroscience, abdominal and cardiovascular imaging. Medical Imaging forms a core theme of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health and is recognised in our NIHR Biomedical Research Centre Imaging and Engineering theme and the research focus of the Insigneo institute.

We are looking for an experienced Radio Frequency coil researcher to lead on RF coil engineering research for multi-nuclear and hyperpolarised MRI applications. The UoS MRI unit group is internationally recognised for research in MR methodology for proton and non-proton MRI methods and applications. We have state of the art imaging facilities including 3 1.5T MRI scanners and a 3T PET-MR scanner, hyperpolarisation labs and a well equipped RF engineering laboratory.  

The post is aligned with a recent Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) prosperity partnership award between GE Healthcare and the University of Sheffield that builds on a collaboration with GE Healthcare of over 12 years.

You will be based in the POLARIS group, in the School of Medicine and Population Health under the direction of Professor Jim Wild. (Webpage: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/polaris, Twitter: @UosPolaris) and you will have a joint appointment with the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. 

As well as conducting clinically impactful imaging technology research there will be scope for research collaboration. The postholder will undertake teaching commitments in modules that span electrical and electronic engineering, biomedical engineering, RF engineering and signal processing in the Schools of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Medicine and Population Health.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Responsibility for the design and construction of Innovative RF coils for human lung, pulmonary and brain MRI & MRS applications at both low and clinical field strengths. This will include:

  • Expand and develop the existing RF laboratory by identifying any requirements for computer-aided design equipment and equipment for rapid prototyping

  • Identify suppliers for all the consumables and components required to prototype RF coils

  • Setup/Liaise/maintain industrial collaborations with suppliers, MRI scanner industrial partners and third party RF coil companies for critical components

• Develop strategic academic / industrial collaborations to provide competitive research advantage, which might involve sharing engineering designs and prototypes with peer research groups or equivalent and translate these into clinical/research results.

• Conduct a programme of  high-quality personal research by identifying and securing varied sources of funding

• Demonstrate research impact by disseminating research findings through high quality publications and conference presentations 

• Manage the development of new polarisation equipment program/project with engineering process control tools like Lean, Six Sigma, Reliability, tolerance/sensitivity and design control.

• Expand the groups capability and Research profile in the field

  • Supervise PhD and/or undergraduate students and laboratory technicians

  • Develop own research profile in RF Coil engineering and MRI physics

  • Contribute to research grant applications

• Conduct original instrumentation-led research to explore new MRI and NMR applications with hyperpolarised gases

  • RF coils for multi-nuclear and multi-organ applications (3He, 129Xe, 19F and 1H)

• Liaise with industrial collaborators working on hardware development.

• Participate in ongoing collaborations with other academic, clinical and industrial researcher partners. 

• Contribute to the delivery of undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes 

• Present results to collaborators, members of the research group and external audiences to disseminate and publicise research findings.

• Carry out administrative duties as requested.

• Actively contribute to the collective strategic vision and mission through individual action and inclusive, collaborative working

• You will make a full and active contribution to the principles of the ‘Sheffield Academic’. These include the achievement of excellence in applied teaching and research, and scholarly pursuits to make a genuine difference in the subject area and to the University’s achievements as a whole. 

• 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 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 the first week of June. This will consist of an interview with presentation followed by a technical aptitude interview in the RF lab. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage in the first week of June. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact smph-west-staffing@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
• 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 : 28/04/2026 

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.