Research Assistant​/Associate in RF Electromagnetics; Bio and Antennas

Job Purpose

You will join a 5-year, flagship EPSRC Programme Grant, SUSTAIN (sustain-pg.org), developing next-generation sustainable heterogeneous E-Textiles as Imperceptible Human Interfaces. Our highly ambitious inter-disciplinary programme has the potential to transform wearable and user-centric electronics, with extensive support and potential for producing top-quality publications and to progress wireless wearables research demonstrators into products and spin-outs.

The goal of this project is to develop advanced body area networks (BANs) for wireless connectivity (MHz to mmWave) based on novel antennas, wave guides, and transmission lines. You will work in a large team to integrate novel wireless frontends with RF power transfer and RF sensing circuits, and demonstrate them in practical e-textile demonstrators.

In your role, you will develop large-area demonstrators of high-performance flexible and printed circuits, fabricated using novel in-house instruments. Your circuits will be incorporated in sensing and wireless applications, and have the potential for large-scale deployment and commercial exploitation. As part of a Programme Grant, there will be further opportunities for career development, mentoring, and having a higher level of independence where appropriate.

You should have experience in any of the following technical areas, with a track record of producing high-quality publications:

• Essential:
  Solid background in electromagnetics and antennas.
• Bio-electromagnetics including human body modelling.
• Body-coupled communication implementation.
• Transmission lines and novel wave guides or metamaterials.

While not required, skills in full electronic systems design including PCB design and integration and digital/embedded systems development is a plus. Past experience with flexible or large-area electronics is also desirable.

You will be part of the dynamic Green RF-Enabled Electronics Lab (greelectronicslab.org), an award-winning and expanding research group with expertise from material science to software. You will use our internationally-leading facilities for RF/mmWave characterisation and printed electronics fabrication.

You will help manage and direct this major programme, engage our industrial partners, collaborate with a large inter-disciplinary team, and disseminate your findings through world-leading publications.

For informal discussions about the role, please contact Dr Mahmoud Wagih ()

• Plan and conduct assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and project/group/School/College research strategy.
• Contribute to the acquisition, set up, maintenance and integration of experimental apparatus or computational kit, or in setting up theoretical models or analysis strategies.
• Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.
• Contribute to the presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.
• Contribute to the organisation, supervision, mentoring and training of undergraduate and/or postgraduate students and less experienced members of the project team to ensure their effective development.
• Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School, including Budgets/Expenditure/Purchase.
• Undertake any other duties of equivalent standing as assigned by the PI.
• To contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan World Changers Together.

• Perform the above duties with a higher degree of independence, leadership and responsibility, particularly in relation to planning, funding, collaborating and publishing research, and mentoring colleagues.
• Establish and sustain a track record of independent and joint published research to establish and maintain your expert reputation in the subject area.
• Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project & subject area, & develop/implement a suitable research strategy.

• A1 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 10 (Honours Degree). May be working towards post-graduate qualification such as a Masters (Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 11) or PhD (Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12). Or Equivalent professional qualifications in relevant academic/research discipline, and experience of personal development in a similar role.
• A2 Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of at least one of the following areas:
  Solid background in electromagnetics and antennas, bioelectromagnetics, and passive RF devices.
• A3 Knowledge of specialist IT software (eg. Matlab, Python, Latex or…