RF and Microwave Design Engineer

Lstmed; Liverpool; Hybrid; GBP 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research institution is seeking an RF and Microwave Design Engineer to design and develop microwave sensing systems for healthcare diagnostics. The role requires a PhD in a related field and expertise in RF/microwave circuit design. Responsibilities include designing antennas and circuits, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and documenting findings. This full-time position is based in Liverpool with a hybrid working model, offering a competitive salary and various benefits, including pension schemes and flexible working options.

Benefits

Generous pension schemes

Cycle to work scheme

Discounted staff membership to sports centre

Family friendly policies

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent industrial experience in Electronics Engineering or related field.
• Proven expertise in RF/microwave circuit design.
• Experience with calibration and characterisation of sensing systems.

Responsibilities

• Design and prototype RF and microwave antennas and circuits.
• Collaborate with data scientists and engineers for system integration.
• Document design procedures and findings.

Skills

RF/microwave circuit design

Antenna design

Electromagnetic simulation tools

Experimental validation

Communication skills

Education

PhD in Electronics Engineering or related field

Tools

CST

Vector Network Analyser (VNA)

Spectrum analysers

Job description

Overview

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RF and Microwave Design Engineer

Reference: DEC20259119

Expiry date: 2026-01-05 23:59:00.000

Location: Liverpool

Contract: Fixed term until January 2027, full time

Salary: £39,906 per annum

Location: Liverpool, hybrid (minimum of 3 days on site per week)

Role Purpose

The RF and Microwave Design Engineer will play a critical role in the design, development, and integration of advanced microwave sensing systems for next-generation healthcare diagnostic and monitoring technologies within the Infection Innovation Technology Laboratory (iiTECH). The postholder will be responsible for developing and optimising microwave and radio-frequency (RF) circuits, antenna design, and sensing architectures that underpin innovative handheld and wearable devices aimed at the detection, monitoring and prevention of infectious diseases.

Working as a part of multidisciplinary research and development team, the appointee will contribute to the full lifecycle of sensor technology innovation from conceptual design, simulation and prototyping to experimental validation and clinical translation. The role will involve close collaboration with electronics engineers, biomedical scientists, applied machine learning engineers and clinicians to ensure the developed systems are robust, accurate, and clinically applicable.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, simulate and prototype RF and microwave antennas, circuits for healthcare sensor applications targeting the detection, monitoring, and prevention of infectious diseases
• Develop antenna resonators optimised for biomedical sensing and material characterisation
• Use electromagnetic simulation tools namely CST to model, optimise, and validate sensor performance across relevant frequency ranges.
• Conduct iterative testing, calibration and refinement of designs to ensure sensitivity, stability and reproducibility
• Collaborate with data scientists and electronics engineers to integrate microwave structures with electronics and AI and ML algorithms for real-time data collection
• Support the development of data pipelines and algorithms for real-time signal analysis, imaging, and feature extraction from microwave sensor outputs.
• Evaluate system-level performance, including signal-to-noise ratio, frequency response, and environmental robustness, ensuring compatibility with downstream AI and data processing modules
• Develop and implement rigorous testing and characterisation protocols to assess microwave sensors reliability, calibration accuracy, and long-term stability.
• Design and prototype circuitry in alignment with environmental and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing to ensure robust operation under varied physiological and clinical conditions.
• Document design procedures, test outcomes, and quality assurance measures to support translational deployment
• Work closely with partners in academia, industry, and global health organisations to align research objectives.
• Coordinate with clinical teams to ensure technologies address user needs and healthcare priorities.
• Publish research findings in high-impact academic journals and present at international conferences.
• Contribute to translating research findings into practical applications by supporting collaborations with industry partners
• Identify potential sources of research funding and contribute to the process of securing funds

Qualifications

• You will have
• PhD or equivalent industrial experience in Electronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Biomedical Engineering, or a closely related discipline, with a focus on RF/microwave circuit design or sensing systems.
• Proven expertise in the design, simulation, and prototyping of RF and microwave circuits, antenna resonators for sensing applications.
• Proficiency in analogue, digital, and mixed-signal circuit design, including RF front-end development, impedance matching, and high-frequency measurement techniques
• Experience with electromagnetic and network analysis instrumentation (e.g., VNA, spectrum analysers, signal generators) for circuit testing, calibration, and characterisation
• Demonstrated ability to conduct experimental validation, iterative prototyping, and performance optimisation of sensing systems.
• Strong track record of publishing research in peer-reviewed journals or writing industrial reports.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to present findings clearly to diverse audiences

(For a full list of essential and desirable criteria please refer to the job description and person specification)

Benefits

• Additional benefits of joining LSTM:
• Generous occupational pension schemes
• Government backed “cycle to work” scheme.
• Affiliated, discounted staff membership to the University of Liverpool Sports Centre
• A range of additional family friendly policies

Application Process

To apply for the position please follow the apply link and upload your CV and covering letter.

Due to the volume of applications, we receive, we may close our vacancies early. It is therefore advisable to apply as early as possible if you would like to be considered for a role.

Inclusion is central to our values at LSTM.

We seek to attract and recruit people who reflect the diversity across our communities, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, nationality, faith or belief, social background, age and disability. LSTM selects candidates based on skills, qualifications, and experience.

We welcome conversations about flexible working; and applications from those returning to employment after a break from their careers.

About LSTM

Founded in 1898 and the oldest of its kind in the world, the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) is an internationally recognised centre of excellence for teaching and research in tropical diseases. Through the creation of effective links with governments, NGOs, private organisations and global institutions and by responding to the health needs of communities, LSTM aims to promote improved health, particularly for people of the less developed/resource poorest countries in the tropics and sub-tropics.

Look at some of the great work we have achieved over the past year by viewing our annual report:

LSTM actively promotes Equal Opportunities and Safeguarding Policies