We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Research Engineer to join our world-renowned Centre for Wireless Innovation (CWI), within the School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
This is a critical role focused on managing and delivering expert engineering support for our state-of-the-art Radio Frequency (RF), microwave, and millimetre-wave fabrication and measurement facilities. You will be central to the success of our research strategy, championing the establishment of a sustainable and internationally competitive capability.
Reporting to the CWI principal engineer, you will contribute directly to high-impact research projects, helping to develop world-class demonstrators that enhance CWI’s global reputation. Your responsibilities will be diverse, spanning hands-on technical support, research project support, and strategic development of our labs. You will assist in writing innovative research proposals to secure commercial and research council funding and help manage engineering aspects of projects to ensure they are delivered on time and within budget.
This position is highly collaborative. You will help maintain vital relationships with national and international industrial partners. Furthermore, you will play a key role in our team's development by providing support to research staff and PhD students.
The ideal candidate will have extensive (5+ years) experience with wireless test and measurement equipment (e.g., vector network analysers, antenna systems) and knowledge of prototype fabrication. If you are a strong team player with a drive to deliver outstanding results, we encourage you to apply.
About the person:
To be successful in this role, you will be a proactive, hands-on, and technically proficient engineer with a strong academic background (a 2:1 Honours degree or higher in an engineering or physical sciences discipline).
You must bring extensive, in-depth experience (minimum 5 years) with RF, microwave, and millimetre-wave test and measurement equipment. This includes setting up and using systems such as vector network analysers, spectrum analysers, and antenna measurement systems. Your technical expertise must also cover prototype fabrication (e.g., mechanical PCB etching and laser ablation based fabrication), proficiency with industry standard EDA/PCB layout and electromagnetic simulation tools, and practical programming skills in languages like Python.
We are looking for a strong team player with excellent communication and presentation skills. You must be able to interact constructively with a diverse team of senior academic staff, PhD students, and industrial or government collaborators.
Crucially, you will have a strong personal drive to complete projects on time, deliver promised outcomes, and take responsibility for delivering and maintaining state-of-the-art test and measurement facilities.
Experience in managing industrial or research projects to completion and contributing to commercialisation activities would be highly desirable. A willingness to travel nationally and internationally for meetings is also required.
To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information.
Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.
What we offer:
Beyond a competitive salary, the University offers an attractive benefits package including a holiday entitlement of up to 8.4 weeks a year, pension schemes and development opportunities. We support staff wellbeing with flexible working options, work-life balance initiatives and support for physical and mental health. You can find more detail on all of this and more at https://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/HumanResources/pay-reward-and-benefits/.
Queen's University is committed to promoting equality of opportunity to all. We subscribe to Equality Charter Marks such as the Diversity Charter Mark NI and Athena Swan and have established staff networks such as iRise (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International Staff Network) and PRISM (LGBTQ+) which help us progress equality. For further information on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, please visit www.qub.ac.uk/diversity.
If you are an international applicant and don't already hold a visa that permits you to take up the role you are applying for, please use the information provided on our website to self-assess whether the University is likely to be able to support a visa application - http://go.qub.ac.uk/internationalstaffsupport.
Candidate Information