Research Associate in Laser Marking for Medical Device Traceability

Role: Research Associate in Laser Marking for Medical Device Traceability

Grade and Salary: Grade 7 - £37,694 - £47,389 per annum

FTE and working pattern: Full Time (1FTE), Fixed term for 6 months

Reward and Benefits: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days

About our Team 

The Research Associate will join the Applied Optics and Photonics (AOP) Group at Heriot-Watt University, a multidisciplinary research group with expertise in high-power lasers, laser materials processing, optical sensing and photonics-enabled manufacturing. The group brings together researchers working across fundamental and applied photonics, with strong links to industry and academic partners. 

The post is funded by EPSRC Photonics & Quantum Accelerator (PQA) in a project involving Heriot-Watt University, the Medical Device Manufacturing Centre (MDMC), Aseptium Ltd and Spectrum Technologies Ltd, with engagement from NHS Scotland and Scottish Government stakeholders. The project brings together expertise in laser processing, medical-device manufacturing, decontamination and healthcare to address an important challenge in the traceability and lifecycle management of reusable surgical instruments. 

The successful applicant will work within a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment, engaging with researchers, industrial partners, medical-device manufacturers and healthcare stakeholders. The role provides an opportunity to develop practical expertise in advanced laser processing while contributing to research with direct potential for industrial and clinical impact. 

Detailed Description

The Research Associate will work on the EPSRC-funded Photonics Place-based IAA project “Improving Medical Device Traceability Through Durable Laser Marking”. The project aims to develop and validate advanced laser marking processes that can provide durable, high-contrast and machine-readable identification of reusable medical devices throughout repeated cleaning, decontamination and sterilisation cycles. 

Reliable identification and traceability of reusable surgical instruments are essential for patient safety, infection prevention, regulatory compliance and efficient healthcare management. However, conventional marking approaches can degrade during repeated exposure to aggressive cleaning and sterilisation processes. The project will investigate whether advanced laser processing, including nanosecond, picosecond and femtosecond laser technologies, can provide more durable markings while maintaining the surface properties required for effective cleaning, corrosion resistance and long-term device performance. 

The postholder will work closely with colleagues at Heriot-Watt University and with project partners at the Medical Device Manufacturing Centre, Aseptium Ltd and Spectrum Technologies Ltd. The researcher will also engage with NHS and Scottish Government stakeholders to ensure that the research addresses practical requirements associated with medical-device traceability and decontamination. 

The applicant will be line managed by Dr Carolina Tacchella and will work closely with Prof. Duncan Hand and Prof. Martin McCoustra, as well as colleagues across the Applied Optics and Photonics Group and the wider project team. The applicant will be expected to contribute to regular project meetings, partner engagement, dissemination activities and the preparation of technical and scientific outputs. 

The role offers an excellent opportunity for a researcher interested in laser materials processing, photonics, advanced manufacturing or medical-device technology to work on a multidisciplinary project with clear routes towards industrial translation and future commercial application. 

For any queries or further information, please email Dr Carolina Tacchella, [email protected] 

Key Duties and Responsibilities

We are looking for a creative, highly motivated and practical researcher who is keen to work at the interface of photonics, advanced manufacturing and medical-device technology. The successful applicant will undertake experimental research into laser marking and materials processing, analyse and interpret experimental data, and work closely with academic, industrial and healthcare partners. 

Regular communication with project partners and reporting of research progress will be an important part of the role. The postholder will contribute to experimental planning, laboratory activities, data analysis, scientific publications, technical reports, presentations and dissemination activities. 

In detail, the postholder is required to: 

• Design and carry out experimental research into laser marking and laser materials processing of medical-grade materials, with a primary focus on SS316 stainless steel and additional work on PEEK. 
• Develop and optimise nanosecond, picosecond and femtosecond laser processing parameters to produce high-contrast, durable and machine-readable markings. 
• Investigate the effects of laser processing conditions on surface morphology, chemistry, corrosion resistance, passivation and marking durability. 
• Prepare and characterise laser-marked samples using optical microscopy, SEM, surface profilometry and other appropriate analytical techniques. 
• Work with project partners to design and undertake clinically relevant testing involving chemical cleaning, steam sterilisation and hydrogen peroxide plasma treatment. 
• Analyse, interpret and critically evaluate experimental data to identify robust laser-processing conditions suitable for future industrial implementation. 
• Work with the Medical Device Manufacturing Centre, Aseptium Ltd and Spectrum Technologies Ltd to assess manufacturability, scalability and practical implementation of the developed marking technologies 
• Develop risk assessments, COSHH documentation and experimental procedures, and work within the boundaries of existing laboratory health and safety procedures. 
• Present research findings, experimental plans and project progress at regular internal meetings and meetings with academic, industrial and healthcare partners. 
• Prepare technical reports, scientific papers and other project documentation. 
• Assist with the day-to-day maintenance and operation of experimental and laser-processing facilities, including liaison with equipment suppliers and external collaborators where appropriate. 

The ideal candidate will have a strong practical and experimental understanding in one or more of the following areas: laser materials processing; laser marking; ultrashort pulse laser processing; materials characterisation; advanced manufacturing; photonics; medical-device manufacturing. Experience of working with nanosecond, picosecond or femtosecond laser systems would be particularly advantageous. 

Essential Criteria 

Qualifications 

1. Applicants should hold a degree-level qualification in a relevant area of Physics or Engineering or related subject 
2. Applicants should have completed a doctorate degree (PhD or EngD), or be very close to completing (e.g. final stages of writing up) 
3. Ability to articulate technical work, both in technical reports/papers and by oral presentation 
4. Must have proven academic ability and a demonstrable high level of technical competence in experimental science and the analysis /modelling of the results 
5. Be innovative and able to apply themselves to work with a wide range of technologies e.g. laser-based manufacturing, electronics, materials and micro-mechanics 
6. Ability to formulate and progress work on their initiative with evidence of technical ability: problem-solving, flexibility 
7. Must be able to work as part of a team on the experiments at Heriot-Watt and with the collaborators of the projects 
8. Capability to be self-directed and think innovatively. 

Desirable Criteria 

Knowledge, Skills & Experience 

1. Energy and enthusiasm for the project. 
2. Experience of ISO related standards for materials characterisation (biocompatibility, durability, sterilisation). 
3. Experience of working with medical devices. 
4. Experience of working with laser black marking. 
5. Evidence of working in multi-interdisciplinary projects. 

How to Apply

Please submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing their interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV  

Applications can be submitted until midnight on Thursday 01 October 2026.

We expect interviews will be held on 09, 12 and 13 October 2026.

Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised, and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all. 

Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our university community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/ . 

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options. 

Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.