Research Assistant/ Associate in RF Electromagnetics (Bio) and Antennas

University of Glasgow; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading academic institution in Glasgow is seeking a researcher to engage in a pivotal role involving the development of sustainable E-Textiles for wireless connectivity. You will contribute to an interdisciplinary project and work in a dynamic lab on innovative solutions for electronic systems. The role offers opportunities for career advancement, mentoring, and collaborative research, requiring strong technical skills and excellent communication abilities. Ideal candidates will hold a relevant degree and have a background in RF design, electromagnetics, or related fields.

Benefits

41 days of leave for full-time staff

Free 6-month UofG Sport membership

Pension scheme

Qualifications

• Solid background in electromagnetics and antennas.
• Knowledge of specialist IT software.
• Experience in RF design or wireless systems.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct assigned research in accordance with deliverables.
• Document research output and draft reports.
• Contribute to the presentation of work at conferences.

Skills

RF design and simulations

Research creativity

Excellent communication skills

Team working

Education

Honours Degree or working towards a postgraduate qualification

Tools

Matlab

Python

Job description

Job Purpose

You will join a 5-year, flagship EPSRC Programme Grant, SUSTAIN (sustain-pg.org), developing next-generation sustainable heterogeneous E-Textiles as Imperceptible Human Interfaces. Our highly ambitious interdisciplinary programme has the potential to transform wearable and user‑centric electronics, with extensive support and potential for producing top-quality publications and to progress wireless wearables research demonstrators into products and spin‑outs.

The goal of this project is to develop advanced body area networks (BANs) for wireless connectivity (MHz to mmWave) based on novel antennas, waveguides, and transmission lines. You will work in a large team to integrate novel wireless frontends with RF power transfer and RF sensing circuits, and demonstrate them in practical e‑textile demonstrators.

In your role, you will develop large‑area demonstrators of high‑performance flexible and printed circuits, fabricated using novel in‑house instruments. Your circuits will be incorporated in sensing and wireless applications, and have the potential for large‑scale deployment and commercial exploitation. As part of a Programme Grant, there will be further opportunities for career development, mentoring, and having a higher level of independence where appropriate.

Essential Technical Areas

• Solid background in electromagnetics and antennas.
• Bio‑electromagnetics including human body modelling.
• Body‑coupled communication implementation.
• Transmission lines and novel waveguides or metamaterials.

While not required, skills in full electronic systems design including PCB design and integration and digital/embedded systems development is a plus. Past experience with flexible or large‑area electronics is also desirable.

Lab and Facilities

You will be part of the dynamic Green RF‑Enabled Electronics Lab (greelectronicslab.org), an award‑winning and expanding research group with expertise from material science to software. You will use our internationally‑leading facilities for RF/mmWave characterisation and printed electronics fabrication.

Responsibilities

1. Plan and conduct assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and group 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. 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.
5. 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.
6. Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School, including Budgets/Expenditure/Purchase.
7. Undertake any other duties of equivalent standing as assigned by the PI.
8. To contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan World Changers Together.

Grade 7 Expectations

1. 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.
2. Establish and sustain a track record of independent and joint published research to establish and maintain your expert reputation in the subject area.
3. Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project & subject area, & develop/implement a suitable research strategy.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Essential:

• Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 10 (Honours Degree). May be working towards a postgraduate qualification such as a Masters (level 11) or PhD (level 12), or equivalent professional qualifications.
• Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge of at least one of the following areas: solid background in electromagnetics and antennas, bioelectromagnetics, and passive RF devices.
• Knowledge of specialist IT software (e.g. Matlab, Python, LaTex or similar).
• Knowledge of project‑specific technical models, equipment or techniques.

Grade 7:

• Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) plus track record of emerging independence within a research/professional environment, or equivalent professional qualifications and experience.
• Higher level or deeper specialisation in the above, including experience in project proposal writing.

Skills

Essential:

• Experience in RF design and simulations or wireless systems implementation.
• Research creativity and cross‑discipline collaborative ability.
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including public presentations and ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach.
• Self‑motivation, initiative and independent thought/working.
• Problem‑solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach.

Grade 7:

• Good team leadership skills.
• Higher level or deeper specialisation in the above.

Desirable:

• Experience with RF and electromagnetics applied to e‑textiles, flexible, or printed electronics.

Essential Experience:

• Sufficient breadth and/or depth of knowledge in specialist subject/discipline and research/teaching methods and techniques to work within the subject area.
• Project or subject‑specific experience particularly in the area of electromagnetics and antennas as part of systems.
• Experience of scientific writing.
• Evidence of an emerging track record of high‑quality publications in a relevant field.

Grade 7 Experience:

• Normally sufficient postdoctoral experience in a related field.
• Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities.
• Ability to demonstrate a degree of independence as illustrated by identification of project objectives from assessment of the literature, design & analysis of experiments, identifying / pursuing research funding & drafting of papers.

Closing date: 5 January 2026

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 6/7, £33,951 – £37,694 / £41,064 – £46,049 per annum.

This post is full time, and has funding for up to 12 months, with the potential to be extended based on research progress and direction for up to a total duration of 5 years.

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

Benefits

• A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
• 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.
• A flexible approach to working.
• 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 that 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.