Research Associate in Electronics and Electrical Engineering (Wearable Sensors)

Grade and Salary:Grade 7 37694 - 47389 per annum

FTE and working pattern: Full time 5 months fixed term contract

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.

Purpose of Role

This Research Associate (RA) position will contribute to the FlexiSense project within the InstituteofSignals Sensors and Systemsat theHeriot-Watt University which is funded bytheEPSRC Cross-Institutional Impact Acceleration Award (IAA) funds and in collaboration with colleagues atUniversity of Edinburgh.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

1. Undertake research related to wearable pressure sensors for optimised compression therapy. This will entail both independent research work and working in collaboration with other researchers on theFlexiSenseandFlexiShearprojects. The successful candidate will proactively engage with collaborating researchers and clinical partners to identify fruitful lines of research and technology development in this area with a view to understanding defining and quantifying target specifications of a future commercial sensor system for compression therapy and the subsequent design and build of a functioning field-deployable prototype. The candidate might also need to perform systematic characterisation of sensors using an experimental jig setup specifically for this task(60% of time).

1. Dissemination of research findings through internal reports conference proceedings and journal publications (15% of time)

1. Liaison with and support of colleagues on the EPSRC Cross-Institutional IAA fundedFlexiSenseprojectpossibly includingdomestic and international travel and support of meetings at Heriot Watt University at the University of Edinburghand the Pioneer Wound Healing and Lymphoedema Group (10% of time)

1. Develop plans for personal research and contribute to wider development of group strategy toidentifyand agree priorities for current and future work(5% of time)

1. Contribute to writing bids to win ongoing research grants. Provide guidance to other staff and students interested in integrating methods/results from this work into their own activity to ensure most effective use particularly within Heriot Watt Universityandthe University of Edinburgh(10% of time)

Key Contacts / Relationships:

• Frequent (daily to weekly) contact with other researchers in the project team and relevant research groups including academic staff other researchers technical staff and PhD students.
• Regular (weekly to monthly) contact with other researchers working on relevant projects inHeriot Watt Universityandthe University ofEdinburgh .
• Regular (typically monthly) contact with key stakeholders likely to include industry and clinical partners.

Planning & Organising

• Work with the line manager to define and plan aprogrammeof relevant research work and then to produce publishable results withinappropriate timescales.
• Work independently to plan the schedule of tasks to ensure that work of the projects progresses according to agreed overall timetable.
• Organise own time so thatdifferent aspectsof the project canproceedin parallel givingdue considerationto the needs of other members of the team.
• Be proactive in interacting with project partners to share data and ideas.
• Take a leadership role in regular project meetings to report and review progress and to generatenew ideasand lines of research.
• Determinethe aimsobjectivesand deadlines for short to medium term work plan in discussion with the Line Manager (particularly for medium term planning).
• Contribute to long-term strategic planning and development of group activities in discussion with the Line Manager and other researchers.

Problem Solving

• Be resourceful in overcoming problemsencounteredin the development ofnew approachesand the implementation of existing techniques in the normal course of the research.
• Define themethodologyto solve the problems in the project.
• Work in close cooperation with the other project investigators project partners technical staff and PhD students working on the project to resolve problems asrequired.

Decision Making

• The post-holder should be able to organise their work schedule to ensure satisfactory progress and to meet the demands (where realistic) of other project partners PhD students etc.The successful candidate will playan important roleas a member of the team in making daily decisions about their own plan of work and the allocation of time and resources.
• Manage day-to-daywork load making independent decisions about immediate priorities to meetshort and medium termtargets that have been agreed with Line Manager.

Person Specification

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

Essential

• A good undergraduate degree and a PhD (or equivalent industrial research experience) in Electronics and Electrical Engineering or a clearly related area with a focus on sensors electronics system design radio frequency electronics or a closely related area.

Knowledge & Experience

• Proventrack recordof research in Electronics and Electrical Engineering with a specific focus onradiofrequencysensorswearable electronics system design radio frequency electronics.
• Experience in delivering research project results in Electronics and Electrical Engineering or a closely related context; i.e. a record of peer-reviewed journal and conference papers in a relevant area.
• Capable of working collaboratively with researchers from different disciplines or technical background.
• Capable of working independently exercising a high degree ofinitiativeanddemonstratinga pro-active and flexible approach to work.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet agreed milestones.
• Ability to develop andmaintaineffective working relationships.
• Goodtime-keepingand time-management with associated effective prioritisation of tasks.
• Good communicationskills; oral writing and presentation of data.
• Ability to contribute ideas andinitiatenew ways of working.
• An understanding and a willingness to abide by the requirements of commercial confidentiality alongside and in balance with therequirements of public dissemination.

Desirable

• An interest or experience in the application of electronics and electrical engineering solutions tosolve challenges in biomedical engineering.
• An interest or experience in the commercialisation of research and technology either in the academic or industrial environment.
• Experience in the design build and delivery of electronics hardware and/or software systems for specific end-use requirements.
• Ability to be adaptive and accepting ofnew ideasand a willingness to approach new challenges and adjusts plans to meet new priorities.
• Knowledge/ experience in Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement.

Dimensions

• Potential to help supervise up to 2 PhD students and 2-4 Masters project students.
• Work collaboratively with other RAs industrial clinical and academic partners technical staff and PhD students from the participating and related groups across multiple institutions.
• Responsibility for regular progress reporting to project partners.
• Keep line managerup-to-datewith progress.
• Contribute to interactions between immediate group and broader communities working in the fields of compression sensing.

Additional Information

A brief explanation of any aspects of the job not covered in theprevioussections

Key Job hazard information specific to the role

This role may result in potential exposure to certain hazards as listed below. These will be risk assessed by the school or department which may require you toparticipatein for example health surveillance or follow other health and safety requirements.

• Work or contact with non-ionising radiation sources such as lasers and hazardous EMF sources.
• Exposure to respiratory/skin sensitisers e.g. solder fluxgluesand resins.

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 Monday 06 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 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.