OPM Research Fellow

What we offer

Starting salary offered in the range £47,186 - £55,099 per annum, inclusive of London Allowance.

Appointment as Research Fellow is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be as Research Assistant (salary £40,603 - £43,749 per annum) with appointment as Research Fellow being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis.

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer great benefits, some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days' annual leave purchase scheme
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Immigration loan
• On-site nursery
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance

Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.

We will consider applications to work on a part-time, flexible, and job share basis wherever possible.

This appointment is subject to UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Research and Professional Services Staff. Please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/conditions-service-research-teaching-and-professional-services-staff for more information.

About us

The Department of Imaging Neuroscience at UCL, home to the internationally renowned Functional Imaging Laboratory (FIL), has over 30 years of experience pioneering brain imaging techniques and advancing our understanding of human cognition and brain function.

The Department hosts major collaborative research initiatives and provides an interdisciplinary environment with extensive national and international partnerships. Its state-of-the-art facilities include MRI and MEG scanners and wearable optically pumped magnetometer (OPM) technology, supporting innovative neuroscience research and the translation of cutting-edge imaging techniques into clinical practice.

About the role

We are seeking a highly motivated individual to join Dr Tierney's team at the FIL, contributing to the translation of next-generation brain imaging technology - optically pumped magnetoencephalography (OP-MEG) - from research into routine clinical practice.

You will lead two core workstreams. The first involves acquiring and analysing prolonged OPM recordings from patients with epilepsy to improve seizure localisation and map critical functional brain networks. The second involves comparing conventional OPM systems operating within a magnetically shielded room (MSR) with a pioneering portable system that operates without one (unshielded OPMs). This research aims to overcome a key infrastructure barrier to the wider clinical adoption of OPM technology.

The role offers an exciting opportunity to develop hands-on expertise in cutting-edge human neuroimaging within a collaborative research environment, contributing to advances that could improve patient care.

The role is available from 01 December 2026 and funded by a grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) until 30 November 2029 in the first instance.

If you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online, or have any queries regarding the application process, please contact the Institute of Neurology HR Team (ion.hradmin@ucl.ac.uk).

Informal enquiries regarding the role can be addressed to Dr Tim Tierney (tim.tierney.12@ucl.ac.uk).

A full job description and person specification for this role can be accessed below. To apply, please upload a current CV, complete the online application form, and use the supporting statement section or upload a cover letter to outline how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role. Please do not upload any additional attachments as these will not be considered by the selection panel.

About you

You will have a PhD, or be close to completing one, in Physics, Engineering or a related discipline, with experience in acquiring and analysing EEG, MEG or OPM data. You will have knowledge of control systems engineering, ideally including active shielding for OPM recordings, and strong programming skills in one or more languages such as MATLAB, Python, C, C++ or LabVIEW.

You will also demonstrate creativity and independence in developing and deploying hardware solutions for brain imaging or stimulation systems. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential, alongside the ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment, manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.

This role meets the eligibility requirements for a skilled worker certificate of sponsorship or a global talent visa under UK Visas and Immigration legislation. Therefore, UCL welcomes applications from international applicants who require a visa.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The Institute prides itself on operating in an all-inclusive environment irrespective of personal, physical, or social characteristics. Teamwork is highly valued, individual strengths are recognised and celebrated, and we are committed to advancing the careers of everyone. 12% of Institute staff are actively working on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives; visit our EDI website for more information about our initiatives and priorities. The Institute also holds an Athena SWAN Gold award, in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality.

As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce; these include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQI+ and gender diverse people in all roles, and women in Grade 9 and 10 roles.