Research Assistant/Associate in Micromanufacturing of Passive Wireless Components

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 (35 hrs per week), Fixed-term (5 months)

Reward and Benefits: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 building‑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 an ongoing collaboration with the VOILA Laboratory at the University of Edinburgh. Early January 2025 the funding agency ARIA awarded two Research Associate posts for a project themed "Scoping the Planet". The successful applicant will manufacture passive electrical circuits that generate wireless impulses to be received by an external receiver, with power supplied by a novel battery developed at Heriot‑Watt. These circuits will be integrated onto a novel drone discovered by Prof. Viola, and the applicant will work with a large research team on the performance and characterisation of these nanodrones. The position will be supervised and managed by Dr. Changhai Wang, part of the Heriot‑Watt team.

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 volatile 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 Heriot‑Watt 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 Heriot‑Watt and liaising with external collaborators.
• Contribute to outreach and impact engagement activities of the project as proposed by the two leaders at Heriot‑Watt and the University of Edinburgh.
• Demonstrate initiative in making routine decisions to manage and achieve project deliverables and deadlines.

Ideal Candidate: The ideal candidate will have a strong practical understanding in one or more of the following fields: drone manufacturing; functional materials; material characterisation; wireless communication systems; performance characterisation of systems.

Person Specification:

Essential Qualifications:

• 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 and papers and by oral presentation.
• Must have proven 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 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 Qualities:

• 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: provide a cover letter describing your interest and suitability for the post, and a full CV. Applications can be submitted until 23:55 on Sunday 5 July 2026.

Equality and Diversity: Heriot‑Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to creating 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 welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns such as part‑time working and job‑share options.