Principal Researcher

Principal Researcher – Advanced Research Centre

Overview

• We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Researcher to play a key leadership role within a newly established Advanced Research Centre. This is a senior individual contributor position focused on bridging the gap between cutting-edge research and real-world industrial application.
• The successful candidate will lead internally driven research initiatives while also representing the organisation in external collaborative research programs. The role will focus on developing technologies and capabilities in sensors, connected technologies, and advanced electronics, ensuring research activities align with long-term technology strategy and future product opportunities.
• This is a permanent industry position, not a fixed-term academic appointment.

Key Responsibilities

Internal Research & Advanced Technology Development

• Define, initiate, and lead internally driven research projects aligned with long-term technology strategy
• Explore early-stage and exploratory technologies to build organisational knowledge and technical capability
• Document, communicate, and present research outcomes to internal stakeholders including R&D, product development, and strategy teams

External Collaboration & Research Leadership

• Establish and lead collaborative research relationships with universities, research institutes, and global technology partners
• Define and shape joint research projects aligned with strategic technology roadmaps
• Act as the industry technical lead on collaborative research initiatives, ensuring commercial and practical relevance

Technology Scouting & Innovation

• Identify emerging and exploratory technologies suitable for research investment
• Maintain a strong focus on:
  • Sensor technologies
  • Connected and IoT systems
  • Advanced electronics and embedded platforms
• Translate technology trends into clear research opportunities and project proposals
• Monitor startups, spin-outs, and early-stage technology companies for partnership opportunities

Supplier & Ecosystem Engagement

• Collaborate with key suppliers and innovation centres to support next-generation technology development
• Leverage external technology roadmaps to accelerate research and prototyping activities
• Build and maintain a strong external innovation network across academia, industry, and suppliers

Research Funding Support

• Support identification of appropriate funding mechanisms for collaborative research projects
• Provide technical input to funding proposals and project scoping where required

Internal Collaboration & Leadership

• Work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure research activities support business and product needs
• Mentor and support other researchers as the research centre expands

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• PhD in Electronics, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or a related discipline
• Research experience in academic and/or industrial environments
• Strong technical background in sensors, connected technologies, electronics, or related fields
• Proven experience leading research initiatives or collaborative research programs
• Demonstrated ability to operate within mixed academic–industrial research environments and deliver practical commercial outcomes

Desirable Skills

• Strong stakeholder management and collaboration skills
• Ability to identify high-impact research opportunities from emerging technology trends
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with ability to influence both technical and non-technical audiences
• Strategic thinker with a practical, industry-focused mindset
• Comfortable working autonomously in a senior individual contributor role
• Willingness to travel for partner engagement, conferences, and research collaboration meetings

For a confidential conversation about the role please apply for the role or contact Owen Clancy at oclancy@sterlingengineeringeu.com By applying to this job post you agree that Sterling Engineering may process your personal data for recruitment purpose