R&D Scientist

Are you the next R&D Scientist to help build and shape the software behind our next‑generation laser processing platform? If so, Opsydia would love to hear from you as we expand into new markets and unlock new technical opportunities.

Spun out from the University of Oxford in 2017, Opsydia is a specialist laser technology company harnessing decades of academic excellence and deep expertise in adaptive optics to enable the writing of features in transparent materials. Our writing technology has gone on to provide functionalities across scientific and industrial domains.

Our platform enables the creation of functional devices in optical glass, diamond, and other transparent media, powering disruptive applications in datacoms, quantum technologies, and advanced sensing.

THE ROLE

Reporting to the R&D Manager, the R&D Scientist will play a key role in the development of next-generation technologies and products. Working within a multidisciplinary team, you will contribute to research programmes from early-stage concept development through to validation, customer trials and product deployment.

This is a broad, hands-on position offering exposure to cutting-edge photonics technologies and the opportunity to collaborate with customers, academic founders, industry partners and internal engineering teams. The role requires a strong combination of scientific rigour, creativity and commercial awareness, ensuring technical solutions address both customer requirements and the company's strategic objectives.

The successful candidate will thrive in a fast-paced innovation environment, applying scientific expertise to solve complex technical challenges and helping translate research breakthroughs into commercially successful products.

Key Responsibilities

Conduct experimental research and development activities to support the company's technology roadmap.

Develop and evaluate new concepts, processes and applications using innovative scientific approaches.

Design, execute and analyse experiments, presenting findings clearly and effectively.

Support product development from concept through validation and customer deployment.

Work closely with engineering teams to ensure solutions are practical, scalable and commercially viable.

Develop data analysis and modelling tools using Python and/or MATLAB.

Contribute to customer discussions, technical reviews and collaborative projects.

Support the generation of intellectual property, technical documentation and scientific publications where appropriate.

Represent the company professionally with customers, academic partners and industry stakeholders.

Maintain awareness of emerging technologies, market trends and competitive developments.

ABOUT YOU

You will be an innovative and technically strong scientist with a passion for solving complex challenges and translating scientific research into real-world products. You will thrive in a fast-paced environment and enjoy working across disciplines, engaging with customers, academic experts and engineering teams alike.

You will be able to demonstrate the following:

Significant academic experience in a relevant field, preferably photonics, optics, physics or a related discipline.

Experience working with ultrafast laser applications.

Creative and innovative mindset with the ability to develop new ideas and apply existing technologies to novel challenges.

Experience characterising waveguide or optical fibre performance.

Knowledge of photonic interconnect architectures.

Understanding of adaptive optics concepts.

Experience using Python and/or MATLAB for data analysis and technical problem-solving.

Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly.

Driven by innovation and motivated to deliver industry-relevant outcomes.

You might also have:

Experience with co-packaged optics packaging and applications.

Industrial or commercial R&D experience.

Experience translating stakeholder or customer requirements into technical solutions.

Understanding of intellectual property generation and development.

Experience interacting with customers at a technical level.

Experience representing a company at industry conferences, exhibitions or international events.

If you don't meet all of the criteria above, but are interested in the role, please apply or get in touch to discuss further.

The role is advertised as full-time .

We are pleased to accommodate flexible and hybrid working where appropriate but, as a hardware company, we find hands-on system and collaboration time to be highly valuable, so encourage time spent in the office and expect this when required.

As part of the recruitment process a selected candidate will be required to undergo security screening to BPSS standard.

WHAT WE OFFER YOU

Salary range: £45,000+ dependant on experience.

Benefits

Hybrid & flexible working arrangements

Share option scheme

Annual bonus scheme

Private Medical Insurance

Group Income Protection and Life Assurance

Enhanced family leave

Company matched pension contributions up to 5%. Salary sacrifice arrangement is available

25 days paid leave plus bank holidays

Cycle to Work Scheme

Mental Health and Wellbeing support and activities

Supported further study or training for your professional and personal development

Volunteering opportunities

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

We are an equal opportunities employer and commit to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace whilst creating an environment which promotes dignity and respect for all. We post our job descriptions across a wide range of recruitment platforms to enable us to garner the most diverse range of candidates we possibly can.

ADJUSTMENTS AND PROVISIONS

We are dedicated to putting in place any reasonable adjustments that may be required to meet the needs of those who wish to apply for a position at Opsydia.

Please share if you have a declared disability, for example but not limited to: a social communication impairment such as autism spectrum disorder, a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or ADHD; a mental health condition, a sensory impairment affecting sight or hearing or a physical or mobility impairment.

ALTERNATIVE FORMATS

We can provide our job descriptions in an alternative format of video or audio description

ABOUT OPSYDIA

Opsydia provides commercial systems based on adaptive optics which can directly generate photonic structures in a variety of transparent materials. Learn more at opsydia.com

The company is based in the Centre for Innovation & Enterprise at Begbroke Science Park north of Oxford. Begbroke offers comprehensive facilities on-site including a restaurant, coffee shop, free parking and a minibus service between the park and Oxford.

Your data will be held in line with our recruitment privacy policy available at https://opsydia.com/recruitment-privacy-policy