Job Description

Job Purpose
As a Research Associate/Assistant, you will make a leading contribution to the development of sustainable and biodegradable electronics, enabled by body-worn circuits, antennas, and systems for wireless communication and sensing. As part of an international collaboration project, you will be able to work with leading research groups in RFID and microwave sensors.

Working closely with the PI (Dr Mahmoud Wagih), you will get the opportunity to formulate and publish your findings in impactful research publications, generate intellectual property (IP) from the research findings, help manage and direct this project, and work closely with our international partners.

You will benefit from and use the state-of-the-art RF and mmWave facilities at the University of Glasgow, as well as be part of an inter-disciplinary team ranging from material scientists to software engineers. There is also an opportunity to contribute to the co-supervision of other members of the research team, and to support the development of research proposals to establish independence.

You will need a strong background in antenna design and RF systems; software development skills and flexible/wearable antenna fabrication experience will be highly valuable. There will be opportunities to develop these skills further and use new cutting-edge mmWave tools.



Main Duties and Responsibilities
Perform the following activities in conjunction with and under the guidance of the Principal/Co Investigator:

1. Plan and conduct assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and project/group/School/College research strategy.
2. Contribute to the acquisition, set up, maintenance and integration of experimental apparatus or computational kit, or in setting up theoretical models or analysis strategies.
3. Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.
4. Develop and enhance your research profile and reputation and that of and that of The University of Glasgow, and the sustainable RF-enabled electronics research lab, including contributing to publications of international quality in high profile/quality refereed journals, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.
5. Contribute to the presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.
6. Contribute to the identification of potential funding sources and to assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research.
7. Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team/group meetings/seminars/workshops across the research Group/School/College/University and wider community (e.g Academic and Industrial Partners).
8. Contribute to the organisation, supervision, mentoring and training of undergraduate and/or postgraduate students and less experienced members of the project team to ensure their effective development.
9. Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School, including Budgets/Expenditure
10. Contribute to outreach and recruitment activities of The University of Glasgow.
11. Carry out modest Teaching activities (e.g demonstrating etc) and associated admin as assigned by the Head of School and in consultation with Principal Investigator.
12. Be responsible for safety management related to the organisation and running of Laboratory and/or Experimental techniques, equipment and processes as appropriate.
13. Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.
14. Engage in personal, professional and career development to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.
15. Undertake any other duties of equivalent standing as assigned by the Head of School and/or PI.
16.To contribute to the enhancement of the University\xe2\x80\x99s international profile in line with the University\xe2\x80\x99s Strategic Plan \xe2\x80\x93 World Changers Together

For appointment at grade 7:
17. Perform the above duties with a higher degree of independence, leadership and responsibility, particularly in relation to planning, funding, collaborating and publishing research, and mentoring colleagues.
18. Establish and sustain a track record of independent and joint published research to establish and maintain your expert reputation in the subject area.
19. Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project & subject area, & develop/implement a suitable research strategy.

These key tasks are not intended to be exhaustive but simply highlight a number of major tasks which the staff member may be reasonably expected to perform.



Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Knowledge/Qualifications
Essential:
A1 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 10 (Honours Degree). May be working towards post-graduate qualification such as a Masters (Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 11) or PhD (Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12). Or Equivalent professional qualifications in relevant academic/research discipline, and experience of personal development in a similar role.
A2 Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of RF design techniques, and the integration of antennas and RF components in sensing systems systems.
A3 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of the wider subject area or subject specialism
A4 Knowledge of project-specific technical models, equipment or techniques

For appointment at Grade 7:
A5 Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) or alternatively possess the equivalent in professional qualifications and experience, with experience of personal development in a similar or related role(s).

Desirable:
B1 An awarded (or recently submitted or near completion) PhD in subject specialism or equivalent

Skills
Essential:
C1 Strong awareness of RF system design challenges including antenna design, simulation, and evaluation.
C2 Research creativity and cross-discipline collaborative ability as appropriate.
C3 Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including public presentations and ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely
C4 Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach
C5 Appropriate workload/time/project/budget/people management skills
C6 Extensive IT and data analysis/interpretation skills as appropriate.
C7 Self motivation, initiative and independent thought/working
C8 Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach

For appointment at Grade 7:
C9 Good Team Leadership skills

Desirable:
D1 Familiarity with one or more of the following RF design and simulation software packages and techniques (full-wave simulation: CST/HFSS, RF circuit simulation: ADS, software-defined radio/USRP)
D2 Strong software skills including one or more of the following: python, C/C++, Matlab, software-defined radio.

Experience
Essential:
E1 Sufficient breadth and/or depth of knowledge in specialist subject/discipline and of research/teaching methods and techniques to work within the subject area.
E2 Strong background in antenna and RF components design for communication, sensing, and/or power transfer.
E3 Experience of scientific writing
E4 Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner
E5 Evidence of an emerging track record of publications in a relevant field

For appointment at Grade 7:
E6 Normally sufficient postdoctoral experience in a related field
E7 A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals/conferences
E8 Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities
E9 Ability to demonstrate a degree of independence as illustrated by identification of project objectives from assessment of the literature, design & analysis of experiments & drafting of papers.
E10 Experience in undertaking independent research

Desirable:
F1 An emerging national or international reputation
F2 Experience with flexible circuit and wearable antenna fabrication processes such as direct-write/screen printing, etching, and/or laser-scribing.
F3 Experience with low-power embedded systems and the development of energy harvesting-based sensors and systems.

Closing date: 7 January 2024



Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 7, \xc2\xa339,347 - \xc2\xa344,263 per annum.

This post is full time, and has funding for up to 12 months

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:
1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.
3 A flexible approach to working.
4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.



We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.