Research Associate in Radar- Vital Sign Sensing

Research Associate in Radar-Based Vital Sign Sensing

Directorate: School of Engineering & Physical Sciences

Salary: Grade 7 – £37,694 – £47,389

Contract Type: Full Time (1 FTE), Fixed Term (7 months initially, to be extended based on funding availability, mutual satisfaction and agreement)

Holiday Entitlement: 33 days annual leave plus 9 building‑closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday)

Join us in our exciting project with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). We are looking for a highly motivated and skilled Research Associate (RA) who will work with our team that has developed a radar prototype for remote vital sign sensing. The RA will help our team in the various project tasks that involve implementing different parts of the radar, including but not limited to: modifying the hardware and the visualisation algorithms, running demos, organising and conducting trials, discussing with the manufacturers, and implementing the project’s advisory group suggestions, collecting and reporting data, and presenting the results to stakeholders.

• Experience and evidence of expertise (breadth or depth) in one or more of the following topics:
  Radio frequency transceiver design, Mixed signal PCB design and Altium, Embedded software and integration of systems, Programming in Python, Flutter, Java, or similar, and Matlab, Stacked microstrip antenna design, preferably using CST MWS or ADS Momentum, Machine Learning.

• Hardware design, high-frequency electronics, EMC/EMI.
• Programming, system integration, device communication, data acquisition and analysis.
• Dara transfer mechanisms and methods via wired and wireless methods.
• Work in a team and/or multi-cultural work environment, and be self‑motivated.

• Assist the faculty in the various tasks of the project.
• Disseminate results of research in appropriate media, contribute to the production of research reports and quarterly reviews, including participating and presenting results in our weekly group meetings and monthly meetings with the project’s advisory group.
• Analyse and interpret the results and generate original ideas based on outcomes, and if possible develop new intellectual property.
• This exciting project addresses inequalities in health care for underrepresented groups such as people in prisons, and brings together in its consortium top-level multidisciplinary expertise from the UK. All research will be conducted at Heriot Watt University, in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The Microwaves and Antennas team at the Institute of Sensors, Signals and Systems (ISSS), of the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPS) at Heriot‑Watt University, Edinburgh, UK, aims to provide real‑world solutions to challenging technological problems. Our group has years of expertise and research on radar and sensing, and has received prestigious awards.

Submit your applications by midnight on Monday 05 January 2026 via the Heriot‑Watt online recruitment system with the following files:
Applicants must provide evidence of their expertise in their cover letter, e.g., by showing images of their past relevant works and projects. Describe also your interest and suitability for the post, including a summary of your relevant expertise (e.g., figures of past relevant projects, if possible); your full CV.
It is recommended to contact Dr Anagnostou () by email for a first expression of interest, as well as any informal inquiry, prior to a formal application.

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.