Postdoctoral Research Assistant in JAI-STELLA-MLC

University of Oxford - Physics Central - Department of Physics

Placed On: 27th November 2025
Closes: 11th December 2025
Job Ref: 183531

Location: Denys Wilkinson Building, Keble Road, Oxford, OX1 3RH

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Assistant at the John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science.

The post is available for a fixed-term duration of 24 months (with a possible extension subject to funding).

The John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, Oxford, is seeking an outstanding postdoctoral researcher to take a leading role in the STELLA (Smart Technologies to Extend Lives with Linear Accelerators) project, which aims to leverage technologies developed for particle physics, computer vision and robotics into a novel end-to-end radiotherapy system as an essential component of comprehensive cancer care. STELLA is collaboration between International Cancer Expert Corps (ICEC), CERN, the Universities of Cambridge, Oxford, and Lancaster and partners from all African countries that have RT. The project aims to design and prototype a radiotherapy treatment system tailored to challenging environments cerncourier.com/a/how-to-democratise-radiation-therapy.

Multileaf collimators (MLCs) are a critical part of medical linear accelerators (linacs) as they control the shape of the beam. However, MLCs are a fragile components in a linac as they contain numerous components, making them prone to failure. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the limited number of available linacs that a single linac failure has a much greater impact compared to high-income countries. A more robust MLC would decrease the linac downtime and thus increase the availability of radiotherapy in LMICs.

The successful candidate will have a leading role in developing a more robust MLC which fails less often, thus reducing the need for repairs and maintenance and potentially leading to reduced linac downtime, but which still retains similar functionality.

Qualification and experience essentials:

• PhD in Physics (or close to obtaining), Engineering or equivalent subject related to mechatronic, control and actuation systems
• Demonstrated experience, knowledge, and interest in the design and implementation of actuation and sensing technologies, ideally in medical or radiological applications
• Proven track-record of high-quality research
• Experience of robotics or mechatronic design and analysis
• Ability to work as part of an extended team in multiple disciplines and locations
• Ability to identify research objectives and subsequently conceive, plan and independently execute appropriate activities to deadlines
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Willingness to travel for international collaborations

Candidates are expected to demonstrate the ability to: work as part of an extended team in multiple disciplines and locations, identify research objectives and subsequently conceive, plan and independently execute appropriate activities to deadlines, and communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Only applications received promptly by 12:00 noon UK time on 11th December 2025 can be considered. Please read the “Person Specification and Job Description” before preparing your application. You will be required to upload a Curriculum Vita, a description of relevant research experience and interests and the names and addresses of three referees as part of your online application. In addition you should arrange for the three letters of reference to be sent to PPadmin@physics.ox.ac.uk by the closing date. Applications are acknowledged but not reference letters.