Research Associate in Ultrafast Laser Microfabrication of Components for Biomedical Applications

Contract: Full time (1FTE), fixed term 32 months

Closing date: Midnight on 9th May 2024

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.

The School of Engineering & Physical Sciences has an international research reputation and close connection with the professional and industrial world of science, engineering, and technology.

Job Summary

The Research Associate will work within the EPSRC-funded U-Care project, an EPSRC-Funded project aimed at developing transformative light-based healthcare technologies.

Detailed Description

The appointed candidate will be expected to exploit our extensive ultrafast laser microfabrication facilities to develop photonic solutions for a range of biomedical sensing applications. The applicant will 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

The post holder is required to:

• Design and carry out scientific and engineering experiments on ultrafast laser microfabrication.
• Work with research partners at Edinburgh and Bath universities to develop and apply the systems developed.
• 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.

Essential Criteria

Applicants must have:

• 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. ultrafast laser-based manufacturing, system automation and control, optical characterisation.  
• 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. 

For all criteria, further details and how to apply:

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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 University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm  and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers disc.hw.ac.uk .