Water-Sensing Research Associate (KTP Associate)

City St George’s, University of London - Department of Engineering

Placed On: 6th February 2026

Closes: 1st March 2026

Job Ref: SST00285

City St George’s, University of London (CSGUoL) is the University of business, practice and the professions and brings together the expertise and excellence of City, University of London and St George’s, University of London into one institution.

The combined university is one of the largest suppliers of the health workforce in the capital, as well as one of the largest higher education destinations for London students.

Combining a breadth of disciplines across health, business, law, creativity, communications, science and technology, we are creating a ‘health powerhouse’ for students, researchers, the NHS and partners in uniting a world-leading specialist health university. We are now one of the UK’s largest health educators, where staff and students have access to an expanded team of brilliant academic and professional services colleagues, combined resources and facilities and more interdisciplinary opportunities.

Background

CSGUoL and Detectronic are recruiting for a candidate to design, develop and test a new set of fibre-optic based chemical sensors for simultaneous multi-parameter and multi-location water quality monitoring to assess ecological harm in river systems.

The role is hybrid, with attendance at Detectronic’s premises in Lancashire, and CSGUoL’s labs in London.

Responsibilities

The project requires familiarity with polymer chemistry for the development of chemical sensors and optimizing sensor materials to address anti-fouling capabilities. The candidate will ensure sensor coating materials respond directly to the key measurement parameters and optimise sensor material to maximise anti-fouling capability. Balancing cost and performance of sensors and incorporating feedback from UoS and Detectronic to improve prototype/product development will be a key activity.

Person Specification

We are looking for a candidate with a BSc and MSc in in Chemistry, with focus on synthetic polymer chemistry and/or photochemistry. Knowledge of sensor technologies and optics is essential.

The ideal candidate will have knowledge of optical/chemical engineering and prior experience in software development as well as prior experience of chemical sensor development for industry and experience of interdisciplinary research.

Additional Information

Closing date: 1st March 2026 at 11:59pm.

To apply and for more information about the post please use the 'Apply' link above.

City St George’s offers a sector-leading salary, pension scheme and benefits including a comprehensive package of staff training and development.

City St George’s, University of London is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in all its activities, processes, and culture for our whole community, including staff, students and visitors.

We welcome applications regardless of age, caring responsibilities, disability, gender identity, gender reassignment, marital status, nationality, pregnancy, race and ethnic origin, religion and belief, sex, sexual orientation and socio-economic background.

City St George’s operates a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants.

The role is hybrid, with frequent attendance at university labs and Detectronic offices in Nelson, Lancashire.

Regardless of where colleagues are working, City St George’s, University of London’s premises will be their primary and contractual place of work.

The University of business, practice and the professions.