Research Associate in AI & Wireless Communications

Role Title:Research Associate in AI & Wireless Communications

Grade and Salary:Grade 7 37694 - 47389 per annum

FTE and working pattern:Full-time (35hrs per week) Fixed-term (6 months)

Reward and Benefits: 33 days annual leave plus 9 buildings closed days for all full time staff. Use our total rewards calculator: see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.

About our Team

The School of Engineering & Physical Sciences has an international research reputation and close connection with the professional and industrial world of scienceengineeringand research ranges from fundamental sciences through to engineering applications all of which are supported by strong external have around 150 full-time academic staff who drive this research activity and are based in 5 research institutes: the Institute of Chemical Sciences the Institute of Photonics & Quantum Sciences the Institute of Mechanical Process & Energy Engineering the Institute of Sensors Signals & Systems and the Institute of Biological ChemistryBioPhysics&BioEngineering. REF2014 named Heriot-Watt in the top 25% of UK universities with 82% of our research ranked as world-leading orinternationally excellent. Heriot-Watt ranked 9th university in the UK and 1st in Scotland for research impact.

Purpose of Role

We areseekingto recruit a highly motivated PDRA willing to work as part of a team in this project to support the development ofAT-native 6Gwirlesscommunications and robotic networking for must have a PhD degree (or have submitted a PhD thesis) in Electrical Electronic computer engineering Computer science or a related discipline have excellent knowledge and strong background in Signal Processing for wireless communications/ networks (in particular physical/ cross layer technologies) MIMO signal processing interference management machine learning beamforming precoding channel estimation IoT user interface technologies mathematics and optimisation evidenced by high-quality research publications. The applicants must also have excellent written oral presentation and interpersonal skills and software programming skills (Matlaband/or C/C/JAVA/Python)appropriate forwireless communications simulation and testbed (USRP) work. It is desirable that the applicants have some industrial experience working in telecommunications/machine learning/networks/programming/testbed.

The projectprovidesan excellent opportunity for career development and to make an important contribution toa very challengingfield in wirelesscommunications and will offer an opportunity to work with placementopportunities withNokia Bell Labswill be available through this post.

The successful candidate will join the digital signal processing for intelligent systems and communications (SPCOM) Institute of Sensors Signals and Systems (ISSS) supervised by Prof MathiniSellathurai( For further enquires please contact Prof MathiniSellathurai().

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The post holderis requiredto;

• Develop researchobjectivesand proposals for own or joint research with theassistanceof a mentor ifrequired. Conduct individual and collaborative research projects making use of relevant research techniques and methods. Disseminate results of research in peer reviewed journals and conferences and/or other appropriate to update personal knowledge and to develop skills within own specialist research area. Maintain written records of research results and progress generated intellectual property and data analysis. Contribute to the production of research reports and publications.
• Writeresearch reports and publications. Analyse and interpret the results of own research and generate original ideas bases on outcomes. Prepare proposals and applications to external bodies e.g. for funding purposes. Use initiative and creativity toidentifyareas for research develop new researchmethodsand extend the research portfolio.
• Build internal contacts andparticipatein internal networks for the exchange of information and to form relationships for future collaboration. Work with academic colleagues on areas of shared research interest and contribute to collaborative decision making. Join external networks to share information andidentifypotential sources of funds.
• Contribute under supervision to the planning of research projects including the development of new grant/contract proposals. Make internal andexternal contactsto develop knowledge and understanding and form relationships for future collaboration.
• We are looking for a creative and highly motivated researcher willing to work as part of a team.
• The ideal candidate will have a strong theoretical understanding and an experimental background in one or more of the following fields: Signal Processing Machine Learning Wireless Communications IoT Wireless USRP Testbeds
• Good communicationskills andan appropriate publicationrecord are essential. A working knowledge of Python and C Programming are desirable.
• General tasks will involve scientific research; analysis and interpretation of data; daily oversight of the activities of postgraduate and undergraduate project students in the laboratory; communication with other investigators involved in this collaborative project; preparation of scientific papers; presentation of research at conferences.
• The successful candidate will be expected to conduct and lead their own experiments whilst also supervising the activities of junior group members and PhD students.
• Responsibilities will also includeassistancein the day-to-day maintenance of the experimental facilities liaising with companies and external collaborators.
• The successful candidate is also expected to be involved in our outreach activities with roles that can be tuned to the specific preferences of the candidate but will involve for example interviews talks for thegeneral publicand preparation of experimental demonstrators.

Person Specification

These are the criteria on which the short-listing and recruitment selection will be made.

Essential

1. Possess andmaintainsufficient breadth or depth of specialist discipline knowledge and or research methods and techniques to work in own area.
2. Applicants should hold a PhD (orsubmittedPhD Thesis before the start date) in a relevant area of Electrical Engineering or Computing or relatedsubject (or a thesissubmittedby the start date of the project)
3. A record ofhigh qualitypublications and evidence of contribution to the writing of these publications proportionate to opportunity.
4. Must have proven academic ability and a demonstrablehigh levelof technical competence in signal processing and wireless communications.

Desirable

1. Evidence of ability to present work effectively in person e.g. at conferences and seminars.
2. Previousexperience with one or more of the following: Wireless Communications IoT Machine Learning and Wireless USRP Testbeds.
3. Experience in leading the writing of scientific papers.
4. Experience of programming for data acquisition (e.g. LabVIEWMatlab Python) and analysis.
5. Experience of experimental design and integration.
6. Evidence of ability subject to opportunity to guide other researchers e.g. PhD students and undergraduate project students.
7. Experience of research-student supervision.
8. Capability to be self-directed and think innovatively.
9. Energy and enthusiasm for the project.

How to Apply

Please submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing your interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV

Applications can be submitted until 23:55 on Tuesday 9^th June 2026.

For further enquires please contact Prof MathiniSellathurai().

About Heriot-Watt University

At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.

Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.

Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected trained promoted appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.

Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information please see our website and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers .

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.

Use our total rewards calculator: to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.