Role Title
Research Assistant/Associate in Micromanufacturing of Passive Wireless Components
Grade and Salary
Research Assistant – Grade 6 (£31,236 – £36,636 per annum) or Research Associate – Grade 7 (£37,694 – £43,482 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.
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 at Heriot-Watt University has a long research collaboration with the VOILA Laboratory led by Prof. Maria Ignazio Viola at the University of Edinburgh. Early January 2025, both Professors received funding from the ARIA funding agency under the theme Scoping the Planet for the appointment of two Research Associates. The researcher at HWU will be tasked to manufacture passive 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 an anaer drone with novel aerodynamic properties discovered by Prof. Viola. The applicant will be part of a large team of researchers at HWU and the UoE working on the manufacture and characterisation of flying performance of nanodrones. The position will be supervised by Dr. Changhai Wang.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Design and carry out scientific and engineering experiments on miniaturisation of drones.
- Carry out testing of evaluation materials capable of changing colours with respect to temperature, residual humidity or in the presence of volatiles compounds.
- Work closely with the 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 meetings with partners.
- Prepare and edit scientific papers.
- Present research findings at workshops organised by the funder ARIA.
- Participate in the broader work of the Smart Systems Research Group at HWU and the VOILA Research Group at the University of Edinburgh, including workshops, conferences or other meetings.
- Assist in the day‑to‑day maintenance of the experimental facilities at HWU and liaise with external collaborators.
- Contribute to outreach and impact engagement activities of the project as proposed by the leaders at HWU and the University of Edinburgh.
- Demonstrate initiative in making routine decisions to manage and achieve project deliverables and deadlines.
Person Specification
These are the criteria on which the short‑listing and recruitment selection will be made.
Essential
- Applicants should hold a degree‑level qualification in a relevant area of Engineering, with specialisation in microwave engineering.
- Applicants should either have completed a doctorate degree (PhD or EngD) or have adequate relevant experience.
- Ability to articulate technical work, both in technical reports/papers and by oral presentation.
- Must have proven ability and a demonstrable high level of technical competence in experimental science and the analysis/modeling of the results.
- Be innovative and able to apply themselves to work with a wide range of technologies such as drone manufacturing, material characterisation, evaluation and assessment of new materials.
- Ability to formulate and progress work on their initiative with evidence of technical ability: problem‑solving, flexibility.
- Must be able to work as part of a team on the experiments at Heriot‑Watt and the University of Edinburgh.
- Capability to be self‑directed and think innovatively.
Desirable
- Energy and enthusiasm for the project.
- Experience of working with teams from different universities.
- Experience of working with materials and systems.
- Evidence of working in multi‑interdisciplinary projects.
How to Apply
Please submit via the Heriot‑Watt online recruitment system: Cover letter describing your interest and suitability for the post; Full CV.
Applications can be submitted until 23:55 on Sunday 5th July 2026.
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 https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award‑winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/ . We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part‑time working and job share options.
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