About us

We believe in the power of ingenuity to build a positive human future. 

As strategies, technologies, and innovation collide, we create opportunity from complexity.

Our diverse teams of experts combine innovative thinking and breakthrough technologies to progress further, faster. Our clients adapt and transform, and together we achieve enduring results.

We are over 4,000 strategists, innovators, designers, consultants, digital experts, scientists, engineers, and technologists. And we have deep expertise in consumer and manufacturing, defence and security, energy and utilities, financial services, government and public services, health and life sciences, and transport. 

Our teams operate globally from offices across the UK, Ireland, US, Nordics, and Netherlands.

PA. Bringing Ingenuity to Life.

Applied Science at PA 

Our Global Innovation and Technology Centre in Cambridge is the heart of PA’s international network of design, engineering and innovation centres. It’s where we turn ingenious ideas into physical and digital reality. 

From medical devices to manufacturing equipment, from consumer products to digital experiences, it’s where we create, prototype, test and build technology-based solutions to our clients' most important challenges. 

The Applied Sciences team uses fundamental science to support early stage and proof of concept projects, ultimately answering the question, “Is this possible?” For this we need scientists who want to go further than just asking questions by actually building prototypes and working in multi-disciplinary teams to realise solutions. 

• We translate science and technology into commercially viable break-out products and processes 
• We give our clients a true competitive edge by providing the data to make rational product development decisions 

• We do this by the practical application of physics and chemistry to prototype, characterise and explore technology at the basic scientific level 

We are looking for like-minded ‘hands on’ scientists that like nothing better than delivering a product solution that provides a competitive edge for our client base across exciting industries like healthcare, consumer electronics, defence, communications, FMCG and more. 

Applied Sciences Makes a Difference 

We enabled the detection of trace levels of antibiotics in a liquid product. Our work assessed multiple technologies for tracking the chemical changes of interest. In depth understanding of the application and requirements enabled us to identify a route forward and develop hardware prototypes. 

Low cost sensing components are a common requirement in consumer electronics. We worked with household brands to develop techniques for component recognition and liquid level sensing to allow users to experience positive interactions with devices without significant impact on the overall equipment cost. 

About You 

To rise to the challenge this Physicist, Sensing role brings, you will have experience, preferably to PhD level, in the development of “applied solutions”: medical devices, optical, fluidic, new materials or sensing / measurement technologies. 

Your strong academic background in Physics will enable you to draw on a solid understanding of fundamental physical principles and apply them to challenging real world problems. 

We are also looking for: 

• A background in designing or implementing sensing and measurement systems in demanding applications. 
• Knowledge of data acquisition methods, data processing and algorithm development. 
• A hands-on approach to developing lab test rigs which enable proof of principle tests to be performed based on solid scientific principles. 

• Extensive experience of collecting and analysing data in a logical and rigorous fashion. 
• Familiarity with data processing and presentation using tools such as Matlab, LabVIEW, Python, Minitab, R. 
• Experience, preferably to PhD level, in the development of “applied solutions”: medical devices, optical, fluidic, new materials or sensing / measurement technologies 
• Industrial experience gained in a research and development role in a high technology organisation, preferably working with other scientists or engineers from other disciplines. 
• Excellent communication skills in order to collaborate with and present to multidisciplinary teams 

We know the skill-gap and ‘somewhat need to tick every box’ can get in the way of meeting brilliant candidates, so please don’t hesitate to apply – we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today by completing our online application

Life At PA encompasses our peoples' experience at PA. It's about how we enrich peoples’ working lives by giving them access to unique people and growth opportunities and purpose led meaningful work.

We believe diversity fuels ingenuity. Diversity of thought brings exciting perspectives; diversity of experience brings a wealth of knowledge, and diversity of skills brings the tools we need. When we bring people together with diverse backgrounds, identities, and minds, embracing that difference through an inclusive culture where our people thrive; we unleash the power of diversity – bringing ingenuity to life.

Find out more about Life at PA here.

We are dedicated to supporting the physical, emotional, social and financial well-being of our people. Check out some of our extensive benefits:

• Health and lifestyle perks accompanying private healthcare for you and your family
• 25 days annual leave (plus a bonus half day on Christmas Eve) with the opportunity to buy 5 additional days
• Generous company pension scheme
• Opportunity to get involved with community and charity-based initiatives
• Annual performance-based bonus
• PA share ownership
• Tax efficient benefits (cycle to work, give as you earn)

We recruit, retain, reward and develop our people based solely on their abilities and contributions and without reference to their age, background, disability, genetic information, parental or family status, religion or belief, race, ethnicity, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity (or expression), political belief veteran status, or other by any other range of human difference brought about by identity and experience. We are on a journey towards ensuring our workforce is diverse at all levels and that our firm is representative of the world around us. We welcome applications from underrepresented groups.

Adjustments or accommodations - Should you need any adjustments or accommodations to the recruitment process, at either application or interview, please contact us.

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