Detector Data Engineer (CMOS Imaging)

Location: Hybrid, contractually aligned to the Milton Keynes campus with at least 3 days per week onsite for laboratory-based work

Salary: £38,784–£46,049 per year

Company

hirify.global is a UK university focused on flexible part-time education and research, with the Centre for Electronic Imaging collaborating with Teledyne e2v, ESA, NASA and other scientific organisations.

What you will do

• Design and develop data readout and output methodologies for CIS300 and other next-generation CMOS detectors, including HDR and read-up-the-ramp modes.
• Interface detector operating modes with downstream on-board processing systems and define data formats, rates and handling strategies.
• Develop and maintain software and firmware tools for detector data acquisition, processing and analysis.
• Generate pipelines comparing simulation and detector data to assess instrument background and dose effects on detector performance.
• Manage, curate and process detector calibration data from ESA space missions such as SMILE.
• Collaborate with detector scientists, electronics engineers, FPGA/software developers, ESA and external mission partners; report progress and support project delivery.

Requirements

• BSc at 2:1 or above in physics, electronic engineering, space engineering, computer engineering, instrumentation engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrable experience with detector readout, data acquisition or data handling systems, preferably for imaging sensors or scientific instrumentation.
• Experience with HDR imaging, read-up-the-ramp or other non-destructive readout architectures, and debugging instrumentation using laboratory measurements, oscilloscopes or logic analysers.
• Experience with FPGA development using VHDL, Verilog or HLS, or close interfacing with FPGA-based systems.
• Professional experience developing scientific or engineering software in Python and/or C/C++ for large scientific datasets, plus collaborative Git-based development and peer review.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and collaboration skills, with a commitment to inclusive learning and teaching.

Nice to have

• PhD involving the development, characterisation or operation of scientific instrumentation.
• Experience with CMOS or CCD imaging sensors and associated readout electronics.
• Knowledge of on-board data processing, compression or data reduction for high-data-rate instruments.
• Experience with scientific calibration data, astronomy, space science or high-performance imaging sensors.
• Experience with formal software or firmware release, issue tracking and configuration control processes.

Culture & Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid work, job share, part-time and compressed-hours options subject to discussion.
• Work within a collaborative research centre involving universities, space agencies, scientific organisations and industry partners.
• Benefits and policies supporting work-life balance and recognition of staff contributions.

Hiring process

• Submit a CV and a supporting statement of no more than 1,500 words.
• Shortlisted candidates are expected to interview between 1 and 6 October.