Research Fellow: Microfluidic Eng. for Cancer Diagnostics

UCL - Chemistry Department

Location:LondonSalary:£43,981 to £52,586Hours:Full TimeContract Type:Fixed-Term/ContractPlaced On:26th January 2026Closes:15th February 2026Job Ref:B04-07048

The post is funded for up to 36 months, with a start date of 1st May 2026 or shortly thereafter.

We are seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Researcher in Microfluidic Engineering for Cancer Diagnostics, to contribute to the multi-centre project “ULYSSES – Ultrasensitive Luminescence-based Yeast Sensors for Early Cancer Detection”. This is a 3M€, highly innovative Horizon Europe Pathfinder project aimed at developing a next-generation, yeast-based biosensing platform for the early detection of breast and prostate cancer through urine analysis.

In this project, you will design, fabricate, optimise and validate a microfluidic platform integrating engineered yeast-based biosensors for urine sample in microplate readers. This will involve the use of computational tools for computer-aided design and computational fluid dynamics simulations, microfabrication techniques, bespoke hardware for liquid handling, and analytical characterisation methods. In addition, you will contribute to the integration of the platform with a diagnostic interface incorporating machine-learning models for data interpretation. The work will be supervised by Dr Guido Bolognesi in the Department of Chemistry at UCL (http://particlemicrofluidics.com/ucl).

Please note, appointment at Grade 7 is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be at Research Assistant Grade 6B (salary £39,148 to £41,833 per annum, including London Allowance of £5,197 p.a.) with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis

You will have a PhD degree (or will have submitted your thesis prior to taking up the position) in a field related to microtechnology, such as bioengineering, chemical engineering, chemistry, biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, applied physics, electrical engineering, or a closely related discipline. A strong background in microfluidics is essential. Proven expertise in more than one of the following areas is also required: microfabrication, lab-on-a-chip technologies, computer-aided design, computational fluid dynamics, biosensing, system integration and instrumentation and software development. You will have experience with multidisciplinary research and of working effectively as part of a research team. Experience in undertaking proof-of-concept studies and collaborative experiments is essential. A strong publication track record is required.

A full job description and Person Specification can be accessed by clicking 'Apply'.

With your application, please ensure you state why are interested in the post, demonstrate how you meet the person specification criteria, a CV and list of publications.

Queries on the application process can be directed to hr.chem@ucl.ac.uk, as we wish to encourage online applications.

Customer advert reference: B04-07048