Research Associate in Bioelectronics and Sensorised Wearables

EHS; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave with purchase option

Generous pension scheme

Flexible working opportunities

Development and wellbeing support

Job summary

University of Sheffield invites applications for a Post-Doctoral Research Associate in the Mechanisms of Health & Disease group. You will develop and evaluate FlexiSense: a soft, 3D-printed sensorised glove to assess hand function in neurological conditions.

The role blends hands-on fabrication, sensor characterisation and collaboration with clinicians and patient contributors. You will optimise fabrication, analyse sensor data and contribute to translational activities, including user

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field with proven research track record.
• Experience in flexible electronics, printed sensors and multimodal sensing.
• Experience with instrumentation and data analysis for experimental research.
• Able to work independently and in a collaborative team.

Responsibilities

• Optimise glove fabrication and characterise sensor performance.
• Support early usability work with clinicians and patient contributors.
• Contribute to translational activities including user requirements refinement and market validation.

Skills

Flexible electronics

Printed sensors

Additive manufacturing

Instrumentation

Experimental data analysis

Education

PhD in a relevant field

Job description

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, but current assessments often rely on separate clinical tests and observations that may miss subtle changes. This project will manufacture and test a comfortable textile-based glove with printed multimodal sensors, designed to capture movement, grip, touch-related responses and muscle signals while people perform simple hand-function tasks.

You will use your expertise in flexible electronics, printed sensors, additive manufacturing, instrumentation and experimental data analysis to optimise glove fabrication, characterise sensor performance and support early usability work with clinicians and patient contributors. You will also work with the wider team on translational activities, including user requirements, intended-use refinement, market validation and the value case for future clinical-trial applications.
You will be highly motivated, innovative and able to work both independently and as part of a complementary team. You must have sound knowledge within the discipline and the ability to apply it to a research environment.
The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.
We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.

Find out more at www.sheffield.ac.uk/benefits and join us to become part of something special.

We build teams of people from different heritages and lifestyles from across the world, whose talent and contributions complement each other to greatest effect. We believe diversity in all its forms delivers greater impact through research, teaching and student experience.