Research Associate in Electronics and Electrical Engineering (Wearable Sensors) in Kilmarnock

Grade and Salary: Grade 7, £37,694 - £47,389 per annum. Contract Full time, 5 months fixed term contract.

Reward and Benefits: 33 days annual leave plus 9 bank holidays for all full‑time staff.

Purpose of Role: This Research Associate (RA) position will contribute to the “FlexiSense” project within the Institute of Signals, Sensors and Systems at Heriot‑Wall University, funded by the EPSRC Cross‑Institutional Impact Acceleration Award (IAA) and in collaboration with colleagues at University of Edinburgh.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Undertake research related to wearable pressure sensors for optimised compression therapy (60% of time). This includes independent research as well as collaboration with the FlexiSense and FlexiShear projects, engaging with colleagues and clinical partners, defining specifications for a future commercial sensor system and designing a field‑deployable prototype.
• Disseminate research findings through internal reports, conference proceedings and journal publications (15% of time).
• Liaison with and support colleagues on the EPSRC Cross‑Institutional IAA funded FlexiSense project, including travel and meetings at Heriot‑Wall, Edinburgh and the Pioneer Wound Healing and Lymphoedema Group (10% of time).
• Develop personal research plans and contribute to wider group strategy, identifying and agreeing priorities for current and future work (5% of time).
• Contribute to writing bids to win ongoing research grants (10% of time) and provide guidance to staff and students integrating this work into their activity.

Key Contacts and Relationships: Frequent contact with the project team, including academic staff, researchers, technical staff and PhD students. Regular contact with researchers working on relevant projects at Heriot‑Wall University and the University of Edinburgh. Monthly contact with industry and clinical partners.

Planning and Organising: Work with the line manager to define and plan a programme of research and produce publishable results within agreed timescales. Plan tasks independently to keep the project on the overall timetable. Organise time so different aspects of the project can progress in parallel while considering other team members’ needs. Proactively interact with project partners to share data and ideas. Lead regular project meetings to report progress and generate new ideas. Set aims, objectives and deadlines for short- to medium-term work, in discussion with the line manager. Contribute to long-term strategic planning and group activities with the line manager and researchers.

Problem Solving: Be resourceful in overcoming problems encountered in developing new approaches and implementing existing techniques. Define methodologies to solve project problems. Collaborate with investigators, partners, technical staff and PhD students to resolve issues.

Decision Making: Organise own work schedule to meet project demands and decide on priorities daily. Manage day‑to‑day workload and decide on immediate priorities in line with agreed targets.

Person Specification:

• A good undergraduate degree and a PhD (or equivalent industrial research experience) in Electronics and Electrical Engineering or a clearly related area, focusing on sensors, electronics system design, radio‑frequency electronics, or a closely related field.

• Proven track record of research in electronics and electrical engineering, focusing on radio‑frequency sensors, wearable electronics system design, RF electronics.
• Experience delivering research outcomes and having peer‑reviewed publications.
• Ability to collaborate with researchers from different disciplines.
• Independence, initiative, proactive and flexible approach.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet milestones.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships.
• Time‑keeping, prioritisation and management skills.
• Strong communication skills – oral, written, presentation.
• Creative ideas and willingness to initiate new ways of working.
• Understanding of commercial confidentiality and willingness to balance public dissemination.

• Interest or experience applying electronics solutions to biomedical challenges.
• Interest or experience in commercialisation of research and technology.
• Experience designing, building and delivering electronics hardware and/or software systems for specific end‑use.
• Adaptability and willingness to accept new ideas and adjust plans.
• Knowledge or experience in patient and public involvement and engagement.

Dimensions: Potential to supervise up to 2 PhD students and 2‑4 Masters project students. Collaborate with other RAs, industrial, clinical and academic partners across institutions. Regular progress reporting to project partners. Keep line manager updated on progress. Contribute to interactions between the group and the wider compression sensing community.

Key Job Hazard Information: Work or contact with non‑ionising radiation sources such as lasers and hazardous EMF sources. Exposure to respiratory/skin sensitisers such as solder flux, glues and resins.

How to Apply: Please submit via the Heriot‑Wall online recruitment system: Cover letter describing your interest and suitability for the post. Full CV. Applications can be submitted until 23:55 Monday 06 July 2026.

About Heriot‑Wall University: At Heriot‑Wall 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‑Wall 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‑Wall 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‑Wall University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from under‑represented groups.