Post-Doctorial Researcher – Electronic Engineering – Research and Development of novel medical...

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a full-time, fixed term position as post-doctoral researcher with the Translational Medical Device Lab (TMD) in NUIG’S Lambe Institute at the National University of Ireland, Galway.

This position is funded by Enterprise Ireland and is available from 21st March 2022 to contract end date of 30th June 2022.

Project XTremedy is a research project funded by Enterprise Ireland’s Commercialization Fund. The project core team is developing a novel treatment technology for chronic infected wounds – particularly those in found in diabetic foot ulcers. The team are designing and developing an electrosurgical medical device for use in the debridement and irrigation of infected wounds. At present, the team are in their second of two-year funding and are recruiting an individual with a background in electrical engineering design. Currently the team have a vacancy in the technical development of this medical device technology.

The post-doctoral researcher will lead the electrical engineering development of the research project and contribute to design and testing elements of the device and system, prototype development and iteration and numerical simulation of electromagnetic mapping. The researcher will carry out the work in the TMD Lab (Translational Medical Device Lab) located in the Lambe Institute. They will join a core team of 2, with external commercial, technical and clinical advisors.

Job Description:

The successful candidate will perform day-to-day research and development project activities in the area of electromagnetic device design and testing. The candidate will optimize new pulsed field alation properties and methods of use for a clinical setting for the technology system, including the design, build and iteration of hardware units. Analysis and interpretation of numerical modelling and electrical characterization data will be required for project performance measurements.

The candidate will plan, contribute, and support all preclinical development studies as part of the research funding requirements. There will be specific tasks in drafting, editing SOP’s to support electroporation /ablation products as well as electrical impedance tomography and current controlled systems.

Duties:

• Contribute to IP protection of findings.
• Practical work packages relating to impedance and current circuit systems to be designed and integrated.
• Manage and conduct engineering studies for design improvement and validations, including animal tissue work
• Support and manage efforts to verify and validate new product designs
• Identify and interact with vendors to obtain engineering materials, processes and equipment
• Stay current with electrical and mechanical engineering device design knowledge related to surgical tools and pulsed field ablation technologies.
• Commit to ongoing personal development to improve technical and non-technical skillsets
• Conduct risk analysis to identify risks and develop mitigations
• Prepare protocol for pilot and scaled up animal studies working with CRO to finalise protocols and gain timely ethical approval
• Generate user requirement specifications, human factors, functionality design inputs.
• Conduct relevant research into electromagnetic ablative technologies, specifically pulsed field ablation and PEF mapping.
• Engagement with key opinion leaders, internationally including EU and US
• Assist in the development of the long-term manufacturing strategy of the technology system

Qualifications/Skills required:

Essential Requirements:

• Minimum of PhD in electromagnetic engineering and machine learning
• Masters’s degree in integrated system technology/telecommunication electronics/finite element modelling
• A working knowledge of medical device industry design controls, specifically those related to electrical components
• In-depth knowledge of numerical modelling for ablative systems and software development
• Proven experience in design and testing of ablation-based technologies in a start-up environment
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced team, collaborate across disciplines and build effective relationships.
• Modelling and analyses of mechanical systems using SolidWorks or similar
• Strong background in 3D printing using polymer types with 3DS ProJet MJP 2500/2500 Plus and Ultimaker
• Demonstrated organization ability including the capacity to meet deadlines.
• High levels of initiative, project managements, self-management and motivation desired
• A hand-on mindset
• Previous experience in planning and conducting preclinical medical device studies
• Good knowledge of medical device sector early company development
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate clearly to others in different functions and at various levels
• Ability to translate a design from concept to prototype, for verification and validation builds and early preclinical studies

Desirable Requirements:

• Proven record of basic research abilities

• Background in clinical engineering for new medical devices including an understanding of market value and stakeholder engagement
• Experience in machine learning/coding for algorithm development
• Experience in software development for medical device design and scale in additive manufacturing
• Advanced degree in biomedical technologies and medical device innovation

Employment permit restrictions apply for this category of post

Salary: Postdoctoral researcher/1 €39,131 per annum

Start date: Position is available from 21st March 2022

Continuing Professional Development/Training:

Researchers at NUI Galway are encouraged to avail of a range of training and development opportunities designed to support their personal career development plans.

Further information on research and working at NUI Galway is available on Research at NUI Galway

For information on moving to Ireland please see www.euraxess.ie

Further information about Translational Medical Device Lab is available at https://tmdlab.ie/#about

To Apply:

Applications to include a covering letter, CV, and the contact details of three referees should be sent, via e-mail (in word or PDF only) to Camille O’Malley [email protected]

Please put reference number NUIG RES 058-22 in subject line of e-mail application.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 5.00 pm 9th March 2022

Optional: Interviews are planned to be held on the week of 14th March 2022

We reserve the right to re-advertise or extend the closing date for this post.

National University of Ireland, Galway is an equal opportunities employer.

All positions are recruited in line with Open, Transparent, Merit (OTM) and Competency based recruitment