Senior Scientist - MRI/NMR Metrology & Uncertainty Quantification

About the Role

NPL is the UK’s National Metrology Institute. Our role is to research, create and deliver the measurement infrastructure which underpins the UK’s prosperity and quality of life across many fields of industry.  The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is seeking an experienced Senior Research Scientist to join our team in Teddington.

Some of the day to day duties and responsibilities of the Senior Scientist will involve:

● Leading cutting-edge research, recognising aspects that could be commercially viable

● Representing NPL to promote our work and raise our profile

● Crafting winning bids, in line with NPL’s growth strategy

● Working inclusively and collaboratively to develop partnership opportunities

About You

NPL is seeking a senior or principal level MRI/NMR scientist to help define and deliver the next phase of our quantitative MRI programme. This role is a unique opportunity to combine advanced NMR/MRI physics , metrology , and uncertainty quantification to shape national capability in MR measurement science.

You will take a leading role the development and experimental exploitation of NPL’s new variable field NMR spectrometer facility (up to 300 MHz), designed to support traceable measurements spanning the full range of clinical MRI field strengths , as well as low and ultra low field regimes. Working closely with other specialists, you will drive the development of experimental methods , pulse sequence implementation , and rigorous uncertainty/tolerancing frameworks that underpin high confidence quantitative MRI.

This position is ideal for an experienced scientist with a strong track-record who can design experiments, implement pulse sequences, analyse frequency- and time‑domain data, and reason metrologically about uncertainty . You will be expected to help shape future research directions and to win external funding to grow the portfolio.

What you will be doing

• Taking a leading role in experimental development of NPL’s new variable field NMR system, including shaping design decisions, facility build, and operational strategy.
• Implement and customise pulse sequences for NMR/MRI, supporting measurements of T₁, T₂, diffusion, fat fraction, iron content, and other quantitative MR parameters.
• Design and execute experimental campaigns across multiple field strengths to understand system behaviour, sample characteristics, and metrological performance.
• Develop rigorous approaches to uncertainty quantification and tolerancing , and guide how uncertainty is assessed across acquisition, modelling, and analysis.
• Build and validate analysis tools , working with NPL’s Data Science department to create robust, reproducible computational methods.
• Collaborate nationally and internationally , including academic groups, MR physicists, industry partners, and the wider metrology community.
• Publish world leading research , deliver impactful technical presentations, and contribute to strategy development in quantitative MRI.
• Support the development of new measurement services , creating tools and methods that enable reliability and harmonisation across clinical and research MR.
• Contribute to proposal writing and income generation to expand NPL’s MR capability.

About you

You will be suited for this role if you are a self-directed MRI/NMR experimentalist who enjoys solving hard measurement problems and has a strong grounding in the physics of echo formation, spectrometer operation, and uncertainty .

Essential skills & experience

• A PhD (or equivalent experience) in NMR, MRI physics, or a closely related field .
• Strong hands-on experience with NMR spectroscopy and/or preclinical MRI , including hardware and experiment setup.
• Ability to customise or implement pulse sequences (not just operate standard sequences).
• Strong understanding of the physics of NMR/MRI , including relaxation, diffusion, and time domain signal behaviour.
• Solid computational and mathematical skills, using Python, C/C++, R or similar for scientific data analysis.
• Experience designing and executing quantitative MR experiments.
• Strong communication skills and a track record of research publication.

Highly desirable (but not essential)

• Experience in uncertainty quantification , propagation, or metrological tolerancing. In particular, experience with uncertainty budgets.
• Experience across multiple magnet field strengths .
• Exposure to MRI applications or collaborations with MRI specialists.
• Experience in facility or hardware design for MR systems.
• Experience working with clinical research teams .

Backgrounds that could fit well

• NMR spectroscopy (chemistry, physics, materials science)
• MRI physics
• MR engineering / pre‑clinical MRI hardware
• Applied physical sciences with strong MR and modelling components

Why join NPL?

You will play a pivotal role in developing the metrological foundations of quantitative MRI , supporting national and international efforts to improve reproducibility, uncertainty, and confidence in MRI based diagnostics. You’ll join a collaborative team within the NPL Medical, Marine, and Nuclear Metrology department , working at the interface of medical imaging, measurement science, and advanced experimentation.

If you want to shape the future of quantitative MRI and work on challenges that directly impact clinical care, metrology, and the wider imaging ecosystem, we’d love to hear from you.

We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that nationality, residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process. To work at NPL, you will need to obtain BPSS security clearance.

Please note:  Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert therefore we may at any time bring the closing date forward.  We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as practical.

About Us

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is a world-leading centre of excellence that provides cutting-edge measurement science, engineering and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of life in the UK. Find out more about what it is like working here -  The measure of us - Overview

NPL and DSIT have strong commitments to diversity and equality of opportunity, and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or age, providing they meet the required criteria. Applications from women, disabled and black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates in particular are encouraged. All disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme. 

At NPL, we believe our success is a result of the diversity and talent of our people. We strive to nurture and respect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued by treating everyone on the basis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own or perceived identity, as part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, we ensure we’re creating an environment where all our colleagues feel supported and welcome. More about this on our  Diversity & Inclusion page.

We are committed to the health and well-being of our employees. Flexible working and social activities are embedded in our culture to create a positive work-life balance, along with a broad range of  rewards, benefits and recognition .  Our values are at the heart of what we do, and they shape the way we interact, develop our people and celebrate success. To ensure everyone has an equal chance, we’re always willing to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss, please  contact us.