Research AssistantAssociate in Micromanufacturing of Passive Wireless Components

Role Title:Research Assistant/Associate inMicromanufacturing of Passive Wireless Components

Grade and Salary:Research Assistant -Grade 6 (31236 - 36636 per annum) or Research Associate - Grade 7 (37694 - 43482 per annum)

FTE and working pattern:Full-time (35hrs per week) Fixed-term (5 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. REF2021named Heriot-WattUniversityin the top 25% of UK universities with 82% of our research ranked as world-leading or internationally excellent. Heriot-WattUniversity wasranked 9^thuniversity in the UK and 1st in Scotland for research impact.

The School of Engineering & Physical Sciences hasrecentlyreceived theSilverAward from the Athena SWAN Charter recognising excellence in championing employment of women in the fields of science and technologyengineeringand mathematics.

In additionwe deliver teaching across 6 undergraduate and post-graduate programmes: Chemistry; Physics; Electrical Electronic & Computer Engineering; Chemical Engineering; Mechanical Engineering and Brewing & Distilling.

Purpose of Role

The Smart Systems Research Group led by Prof. Marc Desmulliez at the Research Institute of Sensors Signals and Systems (ISSS) within the School of Engineering & Physical Sciences (EPS) at Heriot-Watt University (HWU) has a long research collaborationspanning 6 yearswith the VOILA Laboratory led by Prof. Maria Ignazio Viola at the University of Edinburgh(UoE).

Early January2025 both Professors received funding from the ARIA funding agency under the themeScoping the Planetfor the appointment of two Research Associates. The researcher at HWU will be tasked to manufacturepassive electrical circuits capable of generating impulses to provide a wireless signal to an external receiver. Source of energy will be provided by a novel battery manufactured at Heriot-Watt University. The circuits are to be integrated onto ananodronewhosenovel aerodynamic propertieswerediscovered by Prof. Viola whilst studying the seeds of the dandelion flower. The applicant will be part of a large team of researchers at HWU and theUoEworking on the manufacture and characterisation of flying performance ofnanodrones.

The position will be supervised and managed by Dr. Changhai Wang who is part of the Heriot-Watt team.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Design and carry out scientific and engineering experiments onminiaturisation of drones.
• Carry out testingof evaluationmaterials capable of changing colours with respect to temperature residual humidity or in the presence of volatiles compounds.
• Work closely withthe University of Edinburgh for the testing of the drones created by the applicant.
• Develop risk assessments and COSHH forms and work within the boundaries of existing risk management procedures.
• Present research findings and plans at regular meetingswith partners.
• Prepare and edit scientific papers.
• Present research findings atworkshops organised by the funder ARIA.
• Participate in the broader work of theSmart SystemsResearch Groupat HWU and the VOILA Research Group at the University of Edinburgh including workshopsconferencesor other meetings
• Assistin the day-to-day maintenance of the experimental facilitiesat HWU andliaising with external collaborators.
• Contribute to outreach andimpactengagement activities of the projectas proposed by the two leaders at HWU and the University of Edinburgh.
• Demonstrate initiative in making routine decisions to manage and achieve project deliverables and deadlines

The ideal candidate will have a strongpractical understandingin one or more of the following fields:dronemanufacturing;functional materials;material characterisationwireless communication systems performance characterisation of systems.

Person Specification

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

Essential

1. Applicants should hold adegree-level qualificationin a relevant area ofEngineering with specialisation in microwave engineering.
2. Applicants should either have completeda doctorate degree (PhD orEngD); orhave adequaterelevantexperience.
3. Ability to articulatetechnicalwork both in technical reports/papers and by oral presentation
4. Must have proven ability and a demonstrablehigh levelof technical competence in experimental science and the analysis /modelling of the results.
5. Be innovative and able to apply themselves to work with a wide range of technologies characterisationevaluationand assessment of new materials.
6. Ability to formulate and progress work on their initiativewith evidence oftechnicalability: problem-solving flexibility.
7. Must be able to work as part of a team on the experiments at Heriot-Wattandthe University of Edinburgh.
8. Capability to be self-directed and think innovatively.

Desirable

1. Energy and enthusiasm for the project.
2. Experience of working withteams from different universities.
3. Experienceof working with materialsand systems.
4. Evidence ofworking inmulti-interdisciplinaryprojects.

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 Sunday 5^th July 2026.

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.