Research Associate in Bioelectronics and Sensorised Wearables

University of Sheffield, United Kingdom

Updated: about 18 hours ago

Location: Sheffield, ENGLAND

Job Type: FullTime

We have an exciting opportunity for a Post-Doctoral Research Associate to join the Mechanisms of Health & Disease research group within the School of Clinical Dentistry. This job is part of a Yorkshire MedTech Place Based Impact Acceleration Account-funded Proof-of-Feasibility project. You will work on a project led by Dr Thomas Paterson, aiming to develop and evaluate FlexiSense: a soft, 3D-printed sensorised glove for objective assessment of hand function in people with neurological conditions.

Many neurological conditions are reflected in how people use their hands. At present, clinicians often rely on separate clinic tests and observation, which can miss subtle changes. FlexiSense is a textile-based wearable with printed multimodal sensors designed to measure grip force, movement, touch-related responses and muscle activity while people perform simple, standardised tasks. The project brings together flexible electronics, advanced manufacturing, clinical neurology and MedTech translation to move the glove from a promising laboratory prototype towards a reproducible device concept ready for follow-on clinical evaluation.

You will utilise your expertise in flexible electronics, additive manufacturing, printed sensors, instrumentation and experimental data analysis to optimise glove fabrication, carry out bench characterisation, support early usability assessments and contribute to user-centred device refinement. The role also includes supporting translational activities with clinicians, patients, trial sponsors/CROs and commercialisation colleagues, including intended-use refinement, market segmentation and the value case for future clinical-trial applications.

The role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute directly to applied bioelectronics and medical device translation, working collaboratively within a dynamic, multidisciplinary team spanning engineering, clinical neuroscience, clinical engineering, and commercialisation. You must be highly motivated, innovative and able to work both independently and collaboratively. Sound knowledge of flexible electronics, sensorised wearables, additive manufacturing, or related bioengineering methods, and the ability to apply these techniques within an interdisciplinary research environment are essential.

Main duties and responsibilities

● Assist with relevant research as directed by the project proposal in conjunction with other project members, to achieve the milestones and deliverables established in the project plan.

● Optimise the manufacture of soft, multimodal sensorised gloves using textile-based additive manufacturing and printed electronics approaches.

● Develop and apply experimental protocols for bench characterisation of sensor performance, reproducibility, interconnect behaviour and device robustness.

● Analyse data from mechanical, electrical and biosignal-related measurements, maintaining detailed and accurate records of all procedures, results and data analyses.

● Work independently and alongside project partners, including clinicians, clinical engineering colleagues, patient contributors and commercialisation support staff, to meet the project objectives.

● Support user-requirements work with clinicians, trialists and PPIE contributors, including refinement of glove-based hand-function tasks and intended-use statements.

● Contribute to translational and commercial outputs, including a concise commercial segmentation model covering TAM, SAM and SOM, and support targeted sponsor/CRO interview activity to validate early market assumptions. Including travel to relevant events.

● Contribute to a concise health-economics and value case for future clinical-trial use, focused on trial efficiency, data quality, visit burden and potential procurement routes.

● Maintain equipment, software and supplies required for the project work.

● Follow mandatory Health & Safety policies and procedures, including CoSHH and standard operating procedures, using appropriate communication mechanisms.

● Liaise with the academic principal investigator with overall responsibility for the project, as well as other academic co-investigators and collaborators.

Carry out strategic planning over the duration of the project in conjunction with other project members, including planning and scheduling of experimental work and resource requirements.