Job Description

Role Title: Research Assistant/Associate in Micromanufacturing of Passive Wireless Components

Grade and Salary: 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 (35hrs per week) Fixed-term (5 months)

Reward and Benefits33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days for all full time staff. Use our total rewards calculator:  https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.

About our Team

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. Our research ranges from fundamental sciences through to engineering applications, all of which are supported by strong external funding. We have around 150 full-time academic staff who drive this research activity and are based in 5 research institutes: the Institute of Chemical Sciences, the Institute of Photonics & Quantum Sciences, the Institute of Mechanical, Process & Energy Engineering, the Institute of Sensors, Signals & Systems and the Institute of Biological Chemistry, BioPhysics & BioEngineering. REF2021 named Heriot-Watt University in the top 25% of UK universities, with 82% of our research ranked as world-leading or internationally excellent. Heriot-Watt University was ranked 9th university in the UK and 1st in Scotland for research impact.

The School of Engineering & Physical Sciences has recently received the Silver Award from the Athena SWAN Charter recognising excellence in championing employment of women in the fields of science and technology, engineering and mathematics.  

In addition, we deliver teaching across 6 undergraduate and post-graduate programmes: Chemistry; Physics; Electrical, Electronic & Computer Engineering; Chemical Engineering; Mechanical Engineering and Brewing & Distilling.

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 (EPS) at Heriot-Watt University (HWU) has a long research collaboration spanning 6 years with the VOILA Laboratory led by Prof. Maria Ignazio Viola at the University of Edinburgh (UoE).

Early January 2025, both Professors received funding from the ARIA funding agency under the theme Scoping the Planet for the appointment of two Research Associates. The researcher at HWU will be tasked to manufacture passive electrical circuits capable of generating impulses to provide a wireless signal to an external receiver. Source of energy will be provided by a novel battery manufactured at Heriot-Watt University. The circuits are to be integrated onto a nanodrone whose novel aerodynamic properties were discovered by Prof. Viola whilst studying the seeds of the dandelion flower. The applicant will be part of a large team of researchers at HWU and the UoE working on the manufacture and characterisation of flying performance of nanodrones.

The position will be supervised and managed by Dr. Changhai Wang who is 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 volatiles 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 HWU 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 HWU and liaising with external collaborators.
• Contribute to outreach and impact engagement activities of the project as proposed by the two leaders at HWU and the University of Edinburgh.
• Demonstrate initiative in making routine decisions to manage and achieve project deliverables and deadlines

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

These are the criteria on which the short-listing and recruitment selection will be made.

Essential

1. Applicants should hold a degree-level qualification in a relevant area of Engineering, with specialisation in microwave engineering.
2. Applicants should either have completed a doctorate degree (PhD or EngD); or have adequate relevant experience.
3. Ability to articulate technical work, both in technical reports/papers and by oral presentation
4. Must have proven ability and a demonstrable high level of technical competence in experimental science and the analysis /modelling of the results.
5. Be innovative and able to apply themselves to work with a wide range of technologies e.g. drone manufacturing, material characterisation, evaluation and assessment of new materials.
6. Ability to formulate and progress work on their initiative with evidence of technical ability: problem-solving, flexibility.
7. Must be able to work as part of a team on the experiments at Heriot-Watt and the University of Edinburgh.
8. Capability to be self-directed and think innovatively.

Desirable

1. Energy and enthusiasm for the project.
2. Experience of working with teams from different universities.
3. Experience of working with materials and systems.
4. Evidence of working in multi-interdisciplinary projects.

How to Apply

Please submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing your interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV

Applications can be submitted until 23:55 on Sunday 5th July 2026.

About Heriot-Watt University

At Heriot Watt 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 Watt 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-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 https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/ .

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.

Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.