Address
Form of work
SalaryDirectorate: School of Engineering & Physical Sciences
Salary: Grade 7 (£36,023-£45,585)
Contract Type: Full Time (1FTE), Fixed Term (24 Months)
Rewards and Benefits: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days for all full time staff (Part time workers should pro rata this by their FTE). Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University
Detailed Description
The Research Associate will work within the EPSRC-funded U-Care project, an EPSRC-Funded project aimed at developing transformative deep ultraviolet light therapies. Specifically for this post, the primary requirement is to develop technologies for actuating miniature catheter devices that will be used in combination with a robotic bronchoscope for Sensing and Biopsy analysis deep in the lung. The project will build on previous research into Shape Memory Alloy-based actuators. These are a technology of choice as they can be bio-compatible, can be powered remotely and create large forces and motion with respect to their size.
The applicant will be line managed by Prof Duncan Hand and work closely with him and with his colleagues Dr Yuhang Chen and Prof Bob Reuben. The applicant will also work with others in the U-Care team and will be expected to contribute to broader U-Care team meetings and other activities designed to support the project.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
We are looking for a creative and highly motivated researcher willing to work closely with our U-Care research team. Regular communication with, and reporting to, our partners is an important part of the role. General tasks will involve engineering development; analysis and interpretation of data; daily oversight of the activities of postgraduate and undergraduate project students in the laboratory; communication with other investigators involved in this collaborative project; preparation of scientific papers; presentation of research at conferences.
In detail the postholder is required to:
- Design and carry out scientific and engineering experiments on miniature actuation mechanisms, including shape memory alloy based systems
- Work with research partners at Edinburgh and Bath universities to develop suitable demonstrations of the actuation technology and its application to a steerable catheter for application in the distal lung
- Develop risk assessments and COSHH forms and work within the boundaries of existing risk management procedures
- Present research findings and plans at regular internal meetings, and meetings with academic partners
- Provide guidance as required to support staff, research students and any other students who may be assisting with the research.
- Prepare and edit scientific papers
- Present research findings at conferences
- Participate in the broader work of the Research Group, including industrial outreach e.g. at workshops, conferences or other meetings
- Assist in the day-to-day maintenance of the experimental facilities, liaising with companies and external collaborators.
- Assist the development of student research skills, and contribute to the assessment of student knowledge in the context of teaching assistant and supervision duties.
- The ideal candidate will have a strong practical understanding in one or more of the following fields: shape memory alloys; applications of high power lasers in manufacturing; miniature robotic actuators.
Education, Qualifications and Experience
Essential Criteria
- Applicants should hold a degree-level qualification in a relevant area of Physics or Engineering or related subject
- Applicants should have completed a doctorate degree (PhD or EngD), or be very close to completing (e.g. final stages of writing up)
- Ability to articulate technical work, both in technical reports/papers and by oral presentation
- Must have proven academic ability and a demonstrable high level of technical competence in experimental science and the analysis /modelling of the results
- Be innovative and able to apply themselves to work with a wide range of technologies e.g. laser-based manufacturing, electronics, materials and micro-mechanics
- 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 with the collaborators at other Universities
- Capability to be self-directed and think innovatively.
Desirable Criteria
- Evidence of ability, subject to opportunity, to guide other researchers, e.g. PhD students and undergraduate project students.
- Energy and enthusiasm for the project.
- Experience of laser-based manufacturing
- Experience of working with Shape Memory Alloys
Travel
Visits to the partner universities for meetings and collaborative working
National and international conference attendance.
About our Team
U-Care www.u-care.ac.uk is a large collaborative project led by Heriot-Watt University and involving the University of Edinburgh and the University of Bath. There is a large U-Care team of researchers, covering both biological and engineering aspects of the project. The advertised position will also be part of the Applied Optics and Photonics (AOP) Group www.aop.hw.ac.uk ,which consists of approximately 30 researchers working in various applications of high power lasers in manufacturing and surgery; together with activities in optical sensing.
About Heriot-Watt
Heriot-Watt University has established a reputation for world-class teaching and leading-edge, relevant research, which has made it one of the top UK universities for innovation, business and industry.
Heriot-Watt University has five campuses: three in the UK (Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Orkney), one in Dubai and one in Malaysia. The University offers a highly distinctive range of degree programmes in the specialist areas of science, engineering, design, business and languages. Heriot-Watt University is also Scotland's most international university, boasting the largest international student cohort.
How To Apply
Applications can be submitted up until midnight on Sunday 7th April 2024.
Shortlisting aims to be complete by 12th April, Interviews will commence the week of the 22nd April.
Please submit your application via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system including (1) A cover letter describing their interest and suitability for the post (2) A full CV
At Heriot-Watt University, 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 leverage your enterprising mind 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 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/ .
Use our total rewards calculator:  https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm  to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.
