Postdoctoral Research Associate in Optical Elastography and Quantitative Phase Imaging, University of Edinburgh

Job Description

The University of Edinburgh is hiring a postdoc in biomedical optics to develop optical elastography, technology that uses light to measure the mechanical properties of cells, organoids and tissues, at the Centre for Regenerative Medicine (job 14811).

At a glance

• Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Grade UE07
• Where: School of Regeneration and Repair / Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Edinburgh BioQuarter, UK
• Pay: £41,064–£48,822 a year
• Duration: Fixed term, 24 months; full time (35 hours a week)
• Visa: The University may be able to sponsor international workers for this role
• Apply: 14 October 2026, 11:59 pm UK time

About the optical elastography postdoc

• Plan and carry out experiments in optical elastography using optical interferometry, quantitative phase imaging and computational methods
• Write and apply custom scripts for data analysis
• Help integrate and validate prototypes, and guide the project’s Research Assistant day to day
• Contribute to papers, conference talks and knowledge exchange, and work with academic and industry partners to test and refine the technology
• Help find new research opportunities and support intellectual property, licensing, commercialisation and translational funding

The project builds on the group’s work in optical coherence elastography and aims to take a new quantitative imaging approach towards practical and commercial use. The post sits in the Centre for Regenerative Medicine, part of the Institute for Regeneration and Repair at Edinburgh BioQuarter, where research groups study stem cells, tissue repair and disease models.

Why this role matters

How stiff or soft a cell or tissue is tells biologists and clinicians a lot, from how stem cells decide their fate to how tumours and fibrosis develop, but measuring it without touching the sample is hard. An optics researcher here works on that problem with a clear path to real use, including prototypes, industry partners and commercialisation, which is useful experience for a career in academia or in biophotonics companies.

What University of Edinburgh is looking for

• A PhD in optics, biomedical optics or a related discipline (completed or nearly completed), or equivalent professional experience
• Research expertise in optical interferometry or quantitative phase imaging
• Experience analysing data with custom computational scripts
• Strong communication and collaboration skills

Nice to have

• Digital holography, optical physics or elastography
• Prototyping, optomechanics or piezoelectric systems

Pay and location

The salary is £41,064 to £48,822 a year on Grade UE07, for a full-time, 24-month fixed-term post. Applicants must show the right to work in the UK before starting; the ad says the University may be able to sponsor international workers for this role, depending on factors specific to the successful applicant.

How to apply

Apply through the official University of Edinburgh page. The closing date is 14 October 2026, 11:59 pm UK time. Apply online on the University’s recruitment page with a CV and cover letter.

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