Senior Scientist – Device Technology

CPI helps make great ideas and inventions a reality. We’re a team of intelligent people using advances in science and technology to solve the biggest global challenges in healthcare and sustainability.

Through our incredible people and innovation infrastructure, we collaborate with our partners in industry, academia, government, and the investment community to accelerate the development and commercialisation of innovative products.

From health technologies and pharmaceuticals to sustainable food and materials innovations, we turn the entrepreneurial spirit and radical thinking of our people and partners into incredible impact that makes our world a better place.

CPI have an opportunity for an enthusiastic, team-orientated Senior Scientist to contribute to the development and delivery of ongoing and future project work within the established Device Technology team based at NETPark, Sedgefield. 

The multidisciplinary Device Technology team are at the forefront of innovation in diverse fields including sensors, MedTech, wearables and batteries. We work to assist companies looking to bring new products to market; from researching novel technologies, developing early-stage concepts, and building prototypes to upscaling processes for pre-manufacturing readiness. 

Reporting into the Principal Scientist — Device Technology, you will conduct state of the art research, develop new processes, fabricate sensor devices for a variety of biological applications using functional coating techniques, perform materials characterisation and electrochemical device testing and validation to contribute to the delivery and realisation of ongoing and future project work in line with Device Technology team and HealthTech business unit requirements. 

Duties include but are not limited to (please see job description for full details): 

• To design and development of sensor architecture, determining material selection, sensor design (could include modelling, substrate selection), sensor layout. The role involves development of sensors for a range of ​‘Health Technology’ applications including wearables, in-vitro diagnostics and medical devices

• To conduct state of the art research, develop new processes, fabricate a range of devices using functional coating techniques and perform materials characterisation.

• To set up, plan and execute experimental / pilot scale runs and analyse, interpret and report the results of these within appropriate timescales and quality standards, and in accordance with project / client requirements. 

• To present and formally report experimental conclusions and supporting data for internal peer review and submission to clients, to appropriate timescales and standards.

• To actively engage in hazard studies / SRA studies and discussions, as appropriate to role level. 

• To provide clearly documented records of technical data, decisions, methodologies, calculations, and software use in an appropriate format.

• To maintain and calibrate equipment to ensure it operates in a safe and efficient manner and is available to meet customer needs.

• The general housekeeping of technical areas, to contribute to a safe and healthy workplace. 

Some exciting recent projects the Device Technology team have worked on are: 

In-situ diagnostic for long term patients monitoring

Printed Sensor for Bovine TB

Wearable technology

It is essential you are educated to degree level (or equivalent) in an Engineering or Scientific discipline, and preferably educated to PhD level (or equivalent). Candidates with significant academic and/​or industrial experience would be at an advantage. It would be desirable that you have Chartered status.

You must also: 

• Have a good knowledge and awareness of the principals and practice of sensor system design, materials selection, sensor functional design, sensor fabrication (by techniques such as printing or thin film deposition and patterning) and sensor test and validation.
• Hold knowledge or experience of Bio-sensor fabrication.
• Hold knowledge or experience of printing methods for sensor fabrication.
• Possess significant technical expertise in device technology as well as compelling evidence of complex technical problem solving, alongside an ability to exhibit professional mastery of principles and practices in device technology gained through career to date in area of expertise.
• Can demonstrate evidence of knowledge sharing and network building practice across teams and organisations to achieve desired results. 
• Be able to actively demonstrate in-depth technical and theoretical knowledge in device technology and can participate at high level discussion in more than one area. Be viewed as an authority in at least one area by peers and managers. 
• Be able to take responsibility for diverse or complex technical activities where it is necessary to use own initiative and judgement, implementing innovative solutions in complex situations. 

It is also desirable that you are a member of a relevant professional body. Candidates with experience in development of electrochemical sensors and those with working knowledge of enzyme-based sensors would be particularly welcome. 

It is also desirable that you possess knowledge of electronics device operation and fabrication, medical device ISO standards including ISO9001, IS013485, ISO 14971 and IEC 60601 – 1, and the development of sensors relevant to HealthTech applications e.g., glucose, blood oxygen, ECG, EEG, strain, pressure or similar.

At CPI, we offer a wide range of benefits to our employees, this includes:

• Up to 36 days holiday, including bank holidays – Plus a holiday purchasing scheme
• Generous pension scheme
• Life assurance and accident insurance schemes
• Flexible working
• Learning and Development Opportunities
• Free parking

Find out more about our culture and benefits.

CPI is an organisation based in the UK. Commencement of employment is conditional to demonstrating right to work in the UK, sponsorship may be available.