Research Associate (FTC 6 monts)

Heriot-Watt University; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Edinburgh seeks a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) to support the development of healthcare IoT communications. The ideal candidate will have a PhD in a relevant field along with strong skills in machine learning and signal processing. This fixed term role offers excellent career development opportunities. Applications are welcome from candidates with a publication record and experience in research writing.

Qualifications

• Strong background in signal processing for wireless communications.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Proven ability to publish high-quality research.

Responsibilities

• Conduct individual and collaborative research projects.
• Write research proposals and publications.
• Supervise junior group members and PhD students.
• Participate in outreach activities.

Skills

Machine learning

Artificial intelligence

Signal Processing

C Programming

Python

Education

PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or related field

Tools

Matlab

LabVIEW

C/C++

USRP

Job description

Overview

Grade and Salary: Grade 7 (£37,694 - £46,049)

FTE and working pattern: Full time (35 hours, 1 FTE), fixed term contract for 6 months

We are seeking to recruit a highly motivated PDRA willing to work as part of a team in this project to support the development of healthcare IoT communications links and experience in machine learning and artificial intelligence and healthcare technologies. Applicants must have a PhD degree (or have submitted a PhD thesis) in Electrical, Electronic, Computer Engineering, Computer Science or a related healthcare discipline, have excellent knowledge and strong background in Artificial intelligence and machine learning with preferable experience in Signal Processing for wireless communications/networks (in particular physical/cross layer technologies), MIMO signal processing, beamforming, precoding, channel estimation, IoT, user interface technologies, mathematics and optimisation evidenced by high-quality research publications. The applicants must also have excellent written, oral presentation, and interpersonal skills, and software programming skills (Matlab and/or C/C++/JAVA/Python) appropriate for wireless communications simulation and testbed (USRP) work. It is desirable that the applicants have some industrial experience working in telecommunications/machine learning/networks/programming/testbed.

The project provides an excellent opportunity for career development and to make an important contribution to a very challenging field in wireless communications and will offer opportunity to work with world leading researchers. Possible placement opportunities with Bell-Labs and Alcatel-Lucent and SONOVA will be available through this post.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research with the assistance of a mentor, if required. Conduct individual and collaborative research projects, making use of relevant research techniques and methods. Disseminate results of research in peer reviewed journals and conferences, and/or other appropriate media. Continue to update personal knowledge and to develop skills within own specialist research area. Maintain written records of research results and progress generated intellectual property and data analysis. Contribute to the production of research reports and publications.
• Write research proposals, reports and publications. Analyse and interpret the results of own research and generate original ideas based on outcomes. Prepare proposals and applications to external bodies, e.g. for funding purposes. Use initiative and creativity to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.
• Build national and international contacts and participate in internal networks for the exchange of information and to form relationships for future collaboration. Work with academic colleagues on areas of shared research interest and contribute to collaborative decision making. Join external networks to share information and identify potential sources of funds.
• Contribute, under supervision, to the planning of research projects, including the development of new grant/contract proposals. Make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding and form relationships for future collaboration.
• We are looking for a creative and highly motivated researcher willing to work as part of a team.
• Good communication skills and an appropriate publication record are essential. A working knowledge of Python and C Programming are desirable.
• General tasks will involve scientific research; analysis and interpretation of data; daily oversight of the activities of postgraduate and undergraduate project students in the laboratory; communication with other investigators involved in this collaborative project; preparation of scientific papers; presentation of research at conferences.
• The successful candidate will be expected to conduct and lead their own experiments whilst also supervising the activities of junior group members and PhD students.
• Responsibilities will also include assistance in the day-to-day maintenance of the experimental facilities, liaising with companies and external collaborators.
• The successful candidate is also expected to be involved in our outreach activities, with roles that can be tuned to the specific preferences of the candidate but will involve for example interviews, talks for the general public and preparation of experimental demonstrators.

Education, Qualifications and Experience

Essential Criteria

1. Possess and maintain sufficient breadth or depth of specialist discipline knowledge and or research methods and techniques to work in own area.
2. Applicants should hold a PhD (or submitted PhD Thesis before the start date) in a relevant area of Electrical Engineering or Computing or related subject (or a thesis submitted by the start date of the project).
3. A record of high-quality publications, and evidence of contribution to the writing of these publications proportionate to opportunity.
4. Must have proven academic ability and a demonstrable high level of technical competence in machine learning and AI.

Desirable Criteria

1. Evidence of ability to present work effectively in person, e.g. at conferences and seminars.
2. Previous experience with one or more of the following: Wireless Communications, IoT, Machine Learning and Wireless USRP Testbeds.
3. Experience in leading the writing of scientific papers.
4. Experience of programming for data acquisition (e.g. LabVIEW, Matlab, Python) and analysis.
5. Experience of experimental design and integration.
6. Evidence of ability, subject to opportunity, to guide other researchers, e.g. PhD students and undergraduate project students.
7. Experience of research-student supervision.
8. Capability to be self-directed and think innovatively.
9. Energy and enthusiasm for the project.

About our Team

This post will be placed within the digital signal processing for intelligent systems and communications (SPCOM) group, Institute of Signals, Sensors and Systems (ISSS) and in collaboration with National Robotarium on Assistive Living and Health and robotics surgery group. The SPCOM group is involved in a range of research projects at the leading edge of advanced signal processing algorithms, information-theoretic studies, and real-world effects with key applications in communications systems, remote sensing, IoT hearing aid designs and Radar. Industrial collaborators include Bell-Laboratories, Alcatel-Lucent, Defence Science and Technology Lab (DSTL), and QinetiQ.

How to Apply

Applications with FULL CV (and Cover letter) can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on Monday, 29th September 2025.

Shortlisting is anticipated the same week and interviews are anticipated to be conducted on Friday, 3rd October 2025.

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 and our Disability Inclusive Science Careers program.

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

Contact

For enquiries, please contact Prof Mathini Sellathurai ([e-mail], [phone]).