Research Assistant/Associate in Biomedical Microsystem Design

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Research Assistant/Associate in Biomedical Microsystem Design

Requisition ID: 27905

Location: Newcastle, GB

Contract Type: Fixed Term

Working Pattern: Full Time

Posted Date: 17 Feb 2025

Closing Date: 17 March 2025

The Role

The School of Engineering /EEE Discipline are looking to appoint a Research Assistant or Research Associate in Biomedical Microsystem Design. This role will contribute to an exciting £2M EPSRC-funded collaborative project between Bath, Sheffield, Newcastle, and Oxford. The objective is to develop a new type of implantable fuel cell that generates power from the body's own glucose supply.

This position's role is to optimise the engineering of the fuel cell device through advanced modelling and computer-aided design. Advanced designs would be partially fabricated in Newcastle and partially in partner institutions. Other project partners would perform in-vivo testing of the devices.

We are expecting high impact research outcomes. To be successful in this role you will be a talented individual with appropriate mathematical modelling and microsystem CAD skills, with a willingness to learn and develop your technical skillset with the provided support. The primary supervisor will be Prof. Patrick Degenaar.

This position is available on a full time (37 hours per week), fixed term basis for 35 months, to start immediately.

Key Accountabilities

The position is work from lab - so the candidate must be willing to spend a normal working week in a research laboratory. As this project is a collaboration with other Universities, the individual should be willing to travel to Bath, Oxford and Sheffield, as well as overseas to present at international conferences.

Technical objectives:

1. Use Finite Element Analysis: (Using COMSOL software) to simulate how to optimise implantable fuel cell architecture.
2. CAD design: Using CAD tools such as Autodesk Inventor/Fusion to determine 3D designs which can subsequently be fabricated using advanced machining tools.
3. Laser Machining and assembly: Using advanced femtosecond machining approaches to create micro-devices and components and then determine an engineering process for their 3D assembly.
4. Testing and validation: Working with teams in Sheffield, Oxford and Bath to test the devices.

Additional objectives:

1. Team leadership: The post-holder is expected to provide guidance and support in their expertise to fellow staff and PhD/MSc/undergraduate students.
2. Lab Maintenance: Everyone in the Neuroprosthesis lab is expected to help with lab, equipment and IT maintenance.
3. Generate and submit papers to high impact journals.
4. Present work at leading international conferences.
5. Generate intellectual property.
6. Regular documentation is required to take this project through the regulatory framework to clinical practice.
7. Continuing development: The postholder is expected to regularly update his/her skills through attending courses, both online and in person.

The Person

The candidate will be a dynamic individual who is able to work with others in a team and contribute to the research culture around him/her. They should be able to inspire those around them and support a vibrant research culture within the lab and wider research group.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Knowledge of modern computational tools such as MATLAB or Python
• Strong mathematical skills
• Ability to work well as part of a team and rapidly acquire new skills
• High level of analytical and problem-solving capability
• Ability to communicate complex information with clarity
• Experience of research with clear transferable skills
• Presentations at conferences and/or high-quality publications
• Knowledge of Engineering and CAD design
• Knowledge of modelling tools such as finite element analysis
• Knowledge of fuel cells, microsystems and/or MEMS
• Experience of working within interdisciplinary biomedical teams

Qualifications

• An Honours degree or equivalent in Engineering, Physics or similar subject
• PhD in Engineering, Physics or a similar subject (Research Associate)

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