Research Associate in MEMS Manufacturing

Heriot-Watt University; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research university in Edinburgh seeks a Research and Innovation Associate to investigate novel sensors for therapeutic compression garments. The role involves characterising sensor performance, conducting trials, and collaborating closely with NHS partners. Ideal candidates will have a relevant degree, and a PhD or substantial experience. The position is full-time for 6 months and offers competitive salary and benefits.

Benefits

33 days annual leave

Work-life balance initiatives

Flexible working patterns

Qualifications

• Strong practical understanding in sensor performance and characterisation.
• Ability to articulate technical work clearly in reports and presentations.
• Proven competency in experimental science and data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Design experiments to characterise flexible pressure sensors.
• Analyse data related to sensor performance.
• Conduct trials on healthy volunteers with NHS collaboration.

Skills

MEMS

Sensor performance

Data analysis

Problem-solving

Team collaboration

Education

Degree-level qualification in Engineering or related subject

PhD or EngD or adequate experience

Job description

Overview

Job Description

Grade: Grade 7 - £37,694 - £47,389

Contract Type: Full Time (1FTE), Fixed Term (6 months)

Rewards and Benefits: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday) 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

The Post Details

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 10 years with Dr Phil Hands, from the Scottish Microelectronics Centre (SMC) at the University of Edinburgh.

Late August 2025, both Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh received funding from the Scottish Funding Council through their Proof of Concept Application Fund for the appointment of two Research and Innovation Associates (one in each university). The work involved is to test the efficacy of novel sensors into measuring the normal and shear pressure of compression garments exerted onto the skin of patients for therapeutic purposes. The researcher at HWU will be tasked to test pressure sensors manufactured at the SMC with regards to their performance characteristics and, if necessary, create experimental jigs to look at normal and shear forces exerted on the sensors, to conduct 2 trials onto 3 to 5 healthy volunteers with input from research associate from the UoE and NHS Tayside and NHS Forth Valley. The applicant will be part of a team of researchers at HWU and the UoE working on the manufacture and characterisation of such sensors.

Description of Duties

• Design and carry out scientific and engineering experiments on the characterisation of flexible pressure sensors.
• Retrieve, cure and analyse data obtained from experiments related to performance characterisation of the sensors
• Work closely with the University of Edinburgh for the testing of the sensors.
• Take part in the two trials of the sensor onto 3 to 5 healthy volunteers in collaboration with NHS Tayside and NHS Forth Valley.
• Present research findings and plans at regular meetings with partners.
• Prepare and edit scientific papers.
• Participate in the broader work of the Smart Systems Research Group at HWU and Dr Phil Hands 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: MEMS; sensors performance; performance characterisation of systems; undertaking of trials with volunteers.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications

• Applicants should hold a degree-level qualification in a relevant area of Engineering or related subject.
• Applicants should either have completed (or be very close to completing (e.g. final stages of writing up)) a doctorate degree (PhD or EngD); or have adequate experience.
• Ability to articulate technical work, both in technical reports/papers and by oral presentation
• Must have proven ability and a demonstrable high level of technical competence in experimental science and the analysis /modelling of the results.
• 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.
• Ability to formulate and progress work on their initiative with evidence of technical ability: problem-solving, flexibility.
• Must be able to work as part of a team on the experiments at Heriot-Watt and the University of Edinburgh.
• Capability to be self-directed and think innovatively.

Desirable Criteria

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

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

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on Wednesday 01 October 2025

Please submit your CV & covering letter via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment.

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

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/ .

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 the 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 ranked 9th university in the UK and 1st in Scotland for research impact.

The School of Engineering & Physical Sciences has received the Bronze 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.

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.