Summary

Under direct supervision, play a leadership role to develop advanced spectrometer for electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) at 10 GHz.

The Sidabras Laboratory at the Medical College of Wisconsin invites applications for a Microwave Systems Engineer at the postdoctoral or advanced MS level. The primary objective of this position is to reproduce, document, and advance an existing EPR spectrometer platform into a compact, energy-efficient next-generation system under active NIH STTR translation funding.

This is a hands-on systems engineering role. You will work directly with Dr. Sidabras to understand every subsystem of the current spectrometer, duplicate its core functionality, and then push it further. The goal is a working next-generation prototype within two years.

When applying provide a brief statement describing a system or circuit you built and validated: What was the specification, where did it push back, and how did you prove it worked?

What This Position Offers

• Direct engagement with a working EPR spectrometer platform with active NIH and STTR funding
• Primary engineering role on a next-generation compact system development: your hands, your build
• FDA clearance pathway exposure as the STTR matures. A rare training opportunity at the intersection of instrumentation and regulatory science
• Two-year funding commitment with continuation potential tied to STTR and U01 expansion
• Direct mentorship from Dr. Sidabras in a small, focused lab environment

Primary Responsibilities

• Systematically document, reproduce, and validate the existing EPR spectrometer architecture

• Design and implement microwave circuits across spectrometer subsystems: source, coupling, resonator, and detection

• Drive incremental system improvements toward a compact, energy-efficient form factor

• Simulate and validate resonator and coupling structures in HFSS with bench confirmation

• Contribute to STTR milestone deliverables including prototypes, performance benchmarks, and regulatory documentation

• Produce peer-reviewed publications and technical reports as direct outputs of this work

• Assist with the collection and analysis of data

• Interact with clinical and research faculty to determine how to further develop, optimize, and test the equipment.

• Compile information gathered from testing and analysis to generate complete reports to faculty and outside funding organizations.

• Assist faculty in the timely preparation of manuscripts, reports and grants.

• Provide on-going statistical, computer programming, and maintenance for research performed.

• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge - Skills - Abilities

• MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Microwave Engineering, or closely related engineering discipline

• Hands-on bench experience with microwave circuits, RF instrumentation (VNA, Spectrum Analyzer), or systems integration required

• Working knowledge of microwave circuit theory: transmission lines, matching networks, waveguide structures, low-noise signal chains

• HFSS or equivalent FEM simulation experience preferred, lab-specific training provided

• Self-starter who can work with significant autonomy and defend technical decisions with measured data

• Strong technical writing and documentation skills: publications and progress reporting are expected outputs

• Data utilization, complex problem solving, critical thinking, and resource management.

Qualifications

Appropriate experience may be substituted for education an on equivalent basis.

Minimum Required Education: Bachelor's Degree

Minimum Required Experience: 3 years

Preferred Education: Master's Degree

Preferred Experience: 1 year or PhD equivalent

Physical Requirements

Work requires infrequent physical effort such as walking or retrieving materials.

Work Environment

May experience slightly disagreeable features such as temperature changes or noise from time to time. Work performed in an environmentally controlled environment.

Sensory Acuity

Ability to detect and translate speech or other communication required. May occasionally require the ability to distinguish colors and perceive relative distances between objects.

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