Convergent Research
Staff Engineer - FPGA Engineering
TLDR
Engage with both legacy and next-generation FPGA architectures for a cutting-edge microscopy platform while collaborating with neuroscience teams to improve drug development outcomes.
About Meridial
Meridial is a Focused Research Organisation (FRO) with a mission to bring connectomics into the living brain. We are building a platform for longitudinal, synapse-resolution mapping of functional neural circuitry in preclinical models. Our aim is to deploy this platform for translational projects and improve drug development outcomes for disorders of the Central Nervous System.
Meridial is a new not-for-profit FRO in the Convergent Research Ecosystem and powered by the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA).
About the role
Meridial is seeking an entrepreneurial FPGA Engineer to join as a core technical contributor on our multi-photon microscopy platform. This is a hands-on role spanning FPGA architecture development and iterative system improvement. This role reports to the Director of Engineering, working in close partnership with our neuroscience and engineering teams. You will take ownership of the FPGA systems at the heart of our microscopes - maintaining and supporting current platforms, extending the existing codebase, and helping shape and build future architectures as our platform grows in capability and ambition.
The position calls for substantial practical experience with FPGA development and judgment to deeply engage with both legacy and next-generation architectures, including porting code across devices, evaluating hardware options, and making sound design decisions across interfaces, logic, and memory subsystems. It will also involve working closely with users and collaborators to understand technical needs, debug complex issues, and implement new functionality effectively. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong FPGA engineering fundamentals and a startup-friendly mindset that keeps development moving forward in a fast-paced build-and-iterate environment.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the development of next-generation FPGA systems at the heart of our microscopy platform — taking ownership of the existing codebase and its future evolution
Evaluate hardware options and design trade-offs across PC interfacing, device communication, logic structure, and memory subsystems
Port existing FPGA designs to new devices and platforms while preserving performance, reliability, and maintainability
Maintain, debug, and improve FPGA implementations, diagnosing issues across firmware, hardware interfaces, and system-level behaviour
Collaborate closely with neuroscientists and engineers to understand system requirements and translate them into firmware solutions with clear technical specifications
Contributing to documentation and development practices
Help define and raise our technical ambitions — identifying problems we have not yet seen and proposing creative solutions
Required Qualifications
Degree in Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a closely related field
Significant hands-on experience developing FPGA systems for complex instruments, embedded platforms, or high-performance hardware applications
Very strong experience with VHDL or a similar hardware description language
Experience working with Xilinx FPGA devices, including development, debugging, and porting between parts or families
Experience with multiple FPGA vendors or device families beyond Xilinx, with the ability to adapt designs across platforms
Strong understanding of FPGA architecture and digital system design, including interfaces, timing closure, memory subsystems, and system-level trade-offs
Demonstrated ability to take ownership of an existing codebase, improve it, and guide its long-term architectural direction
Ability to move fluidly between implementation and higher-level architecture — making good engineering decisions while keeping development practical and forward-looking
Strong debugging skills, with the ability to isolate and resolve issues across FPGA logic, surrounding electronics, and software/hardware boundaries
Strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset — you can explain a complex technical trade-off to non-specialists and turn user feedback into clear engineering requirements
Preferred Qualifications
Industry or startup experience in instrumentation, embedded systems, scientific hardware, or related high-performance engineering environments — you know how to apply the theory and what it means to build something that has to work reliably
Experience with the hardware side of FPGA systems, including board-level bring-up, signal interfacing, and integration with surrounding electronics
Experience developing custom FPGA boards or FPGA module carrier boards (specification, design, debugging).
Experience with National Instruments FPGA systems and their associated development workflows
Familiarity with high-speed interfaces, data acquisition systems or real-time control in demanding hardware environments
Experience working on systems where FPGA, software, and hardware co-design are tightly linked
Programming ability beyond VHDL — enough to interface with test infrastructure, automation, or diagnostic tooling where needed (Rust highly desirable)
Physical Demands
Fine motor skills for operating computers and lab/instrumentation tools
Ability to move light-to-moderate items (typical lab supplies/computers); may include occasional lifting/carrying with appropriate equipment (e.g., carts/dollies, kit)
Position Type / Schedule
Full-time at 40 hours/week preferred but will consider freelance contracting for the right fit
Lab location based in London or Cambridge — ability to travel to both preferred
Work arrangement: Hybrid with expected regular onsite presence due to laboratory responsibilities
Additional Information
Application materials: CV/resume + cover letter + 2 references
For exceptional candidates, we will consider sponsoring visas and supporting relocation
Compensation: competitive salary commensurate with experience
Generous Benefits will be communicated in interviews
We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and do not make hiring or employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion or religious belief, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sex, gender, gender-identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law or company policy. We strive for a diverse, healthy and safe workplace and strictly prohibit harassment of any kind.
Convergent Research is an organization that houses innovative non-profit research initiatives like E11 Bio and Parallel Squared Technology Institute, all focused on pioneering advancements in neuroscience and protein analysis technologies. Targeting ambitious scientific goals, Convergent Research enables rapid breakthroughs in critical areas like connectomics and supports the professional development of scientists and engineers by fostering open research opportunities.
Staff Engineer