Heriot-Watt University
Research Assistant/Associate in Micromanufacturing of Passive Wireless Components
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Role: Research Assistant/Associate in RF and Experimental Characterisation of Microfabricated Electronic Devices
Grade and Salary: Grade 6 - £31,236 - £36,636 / Grade 7 - £37,694 - £47,389 per annum
Contract Type: Full Time (1FTE), Fixed Term for 4 Months
Holiday Entitlement: 33 days annual leave plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday)
Detailed Description
Applications are invited for a four-month Research Assistant/Associate position at Heriot-Watt University to support an interdisciplinary research programme developing highly miniaturised electronic systems for bio-inspired aerial platforms.
The work forms part of an ARIA-funded collaboration between Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh, bringing together expertise in microdevices, electronic systems, sensing, wireless technologies and bio-inspired engineering.
The successful applicant will focus primarily on the RF, high-frequency and experimental characterisation of externally fabricated microelectronic devices.
Device fabrication will be undertaken by specialist external facilities. The principal responsibility of the researcher will therefore be to develop appropriate electrical and RF measurement approaches, establish experimental test arrangements, characterise fabricated devices and analyse their performance.
The work will involve hands-on laboratory characterisation using high-frequency electronic test and measurement equipment, investigation of transient electrical behaviour, comparison of different device designs and fabrication variants, and support for the evaluation of device performance within the wider electronic and wireless system.
Because of the short duration of the appointment, we are particularly interested in candidates with strong practical experimental skills who can rapidly establish and troubleshoot measurement systems and work independently towards clearly defined project objectives.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
The successful candidate will:
- Develop and implement experimental procedures for the electrical, RF and high-frequency characterisation of externally fabricated microelectronic devices.
- Design and establish appropriate laboratory measurement arrangements for evaluating device performance.
- Develop suitable experimental interfaces between microfabricated devices and electronic measurement equipment, including probes, test fixtures, PCB-based interfaces or equivalent approaches where required.
- Perform electrical and high-frequency measurements to assess device behaviour, signal characteristics, temporal response, repeatability and device-to-device variability.
- Acquire and analyse fast transient or pulsed electrical signals using appropriate measurement instrumentation.
- Select appropriate measurement bandwidths, probes, cabling and acquisition methods for reliable high-frequency characterisation.
- Investigate and minimise measurement artefacts associated with grounding, shielding, impedance, parasitic effects, noise and signal integrity.
- Characterise and compare different device designs and fabrication variants.
- Assess device reliability, repeatability and potential failure mechanisms.
- Use relevant laboratory instrumentation, which may include high-bandwidth oscilloscopes, signal generators, source-measure units, spectrum analysers, RF measurement equipment, probes, power supplies and related test instrumentation.
- Undertake optical or microscopic inspection of fabricated devices where appropriate and relate physical device characteristics to measured electrical performance.
- Support the characterisation of device performance within the wider miniaturised electronic and wireless system.
- Analyse experimental measurements using MATLAB, Python or equivalent computational tools.
- Compare experimental measurements with modelling or theoretical predictions generated by the wider project team.
- Provide technical feedback to the project team and external fabrication partners regarding device performance and potential improvements.
- Maintain clear and accurate experimental records and prepare technical reports summarising results and recommendations.
- Develop appropriate risk assessments and work within established laboratory health and safety procedures.
- Present experimental results and plans at regular meetings with project collaborators.
- Contribute to project reports, scientific publications and presentations.
- Work closely with researchers at Heriot-Watt University, the University of Edinburgh and external project partners.
- Demonstrate initiative in planning, troubleshooting and delivering experimental activities within the timescale of the project.
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Essential Criteria
Qualifications
Applicants should hold a degree-level qualification in a relevant discipline such as:
- Electrical or Electronic Engineering;
- RF or Microwave Engineering;
- Applied Physics;
- Microsystems or Microengineering;
- Instrumentation;
- or another closely related discipline.
For appointment at Research Associate level, applicants would normally hold a PhD or equivalent relevant research or professional experience.
For appointment at Research Assistant level, applicants should hold an appropriate degree and demonstrate relevant practical experimental experience.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Practical experience in RF, microwave or high-frequency electrical measurement and characterisation.
- Practical experience in the measurement and analysis of fast transient or pulsed electrical signals.
- Strong hands-on experience using electronic test and measurement instrumentation, including oscilloscopes and associated measurement equipment.
- Experience developing, establishing and troubleshooting experimental electrical or RF measurement systems.
- Understanding of high-frequency measurement considerations including bandwidth, impedance, grounding, shielding, parasitic effects, noise and signal integrity.
- Experience in high-frequency or RF signal acquisition and detection, including assessment of signal level, noise, signal-to-noise ratio and measurement sensitivity.
- Experience interfacing electronic devices with measurement equipment using suitable probes, fixtures, PCB interfaces or equivalent techniques.
- Experience configuring high-bandwidth measurement systems for triggered, single-shot or transient signal acquisition.
- Ability to analyse and interpret experimental data.
- Experience using MATLAB, Python or equivalent software for data analysis.
- Strong technical problem-solving skills and the ability to independently develop appropriate experimental approaches.
- Ability to rapidly become familiar with new devices, technologies and measurement methods.
- Ability to organise and progress experimental work independently.
- Ability to communicate technical work clearly through written reports and oral presentations.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary research team.
- Ability to deliver experimental results within short project timescales.
Desirable Criteria
Experience in one or more of the following would be advantageous:
- Characterisation of microfabricated electronic or MEMS devices.
- Electrical characterisation of microscale or nanoscale devices.
- Probe-station measurements or electrical testing of microfabricated structures.
- High-bandwidth transient or pulsed-signal measurements.
- RF probes, transmission lines or impedance-matching techniques.
- Spectrum analyser measurements.
- Vector network analyser measurements.
- RF receiver or wireless-system characterisation.
- Design and assembly of RF or electronic test circuits, interfaces or PCBs.
- Experience characterising nonlinear, threshold, pulsed or transient behaviour in electronic or microfabricated devices.
- Optical microscopy, profilometry or related techniques for inspection of microfabricated devices.
- MATLAB, Python, LabVIEW or similar tools for automated experimental control and data acquisition.
- Experience working with external microfabrication facilities or specialist manufacturing partners.
- Experience contributing to multidisciplinary research projects.
- Experience of cleanroom processing or microfabrication would be beneficial for understanding the devices but is not essential, as device fabrication will be undertaken externally.
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About the Project
The research forms part of a collaborative programme investigating new technologies for highly miniaturised, bio-inspired aerial systems. The project brings together researchers at Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh and involves collaboration with specialist external fabrication facilities.
The successful applicant will join an interdisciplinary research environment and contribute directly to the experimental validation of emerging microelectronic and wireless technologies.
About EPS
The School of Engineering and Physical Sciences at Heriot-Watt University has an international research reputation and strong connections with the professional and industrial worlds of science, engineering and technology.
Research within the School ranges from fundamental science through to engineering applications and is supported by extensive external funding and collaboration with academic and industrial partners.
Heriot-Watt University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.
How to Apply
Applications can be submitted until midnight (UK Time) on Wednesday 30th September 2026.
Interested applicants should submit through the Heriot-Watt University online recruitment system:
- A full CV, including details of relevant technical and experimental experience.
- A covering letter describing their interest in the position and suitability for the role. Applicants should highlight relevant hands-on experience in RF/high-frequency measurements, transient signal characterisation, experimental troubleshooting and electronic test systems.
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 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
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