Research Assistant/ Associate in RF Sensors & Circuits
- Posted 11 December 2025
- Salary Grade 6/7: £33,951 - £37,694 / £41,064 - £46,049 per annum
- LocationGlasgow
- Job Type Research and Teaching
- Reference188356
- Expiry 05 January 2026 at 23:45
Job description
Job Purpose
You will join a 5-year, flagship EPSRC Programme Grant, SUSTAIN (sustain-pg.org), developing next-generation sustainable heterogenous E-Textiles as Imperceptible Human Interfaces. Our highly ambitious an inter-disciplinary 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 spinouts.
The goal of this role is to develop novel RF and microwave sensors and/or interface circuits for non-invasive sensing.
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.
You should have experience in any of the following technical areas, with a track record of producing high-quality publications:
* Microwave sensing using resonators, capacitors, or antennas.
* Software defined radio (SDR)-based RF sensing.
* Transceiver design and implementation.
* PCB and active wireless system design, or MMIC/RFIC design experience
While not required, skills in antennas and electromagnetics are a plus. Experience with flexible or large-area electronics is also desirable.
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.
You will help manage and direct this major programme, engage our industrial partners, collaborate with a large inter-disciplinary team, and disseminate your findings through world-leading publications.
For informal discussions about the role, please contact Dr Mahmoud Wagih (Mahmoud.Wagih@Glasgow.ac.uk)
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Perform the following activities in conjunction with and under the guidance of the Co/Principal Investigator:
Subject specific tasks: add separately or embed within generics below.
1. Plan and conduct assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and Green RF-Enabled Electronics Lab 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
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 at least one of the following areas; Solid background in RF sensors, RF circuit design, and wireless system design.
A3 Knowledge of specialist IT software (eg. Matlab, Python, Latex or similar) as appropriate
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) plus track record of emerging independence within a research/professional environment, or alternatively possess professional qualifications and experience equivalent to PhD level plus the requisite experience.
A6. A higher level or deeper specialisation in A2, including experience in project proposal writing.
Skills
Essential:
C1 Experience in RF sensor and/or transceiver design and simulations or wireless systems implementation
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 Self motivation, initiative and independent thought/working
C6 Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach
For appointment at Grade 7:
C7 Good Team Leadership skills
C1, C2, C5, C6 at a higher level or deeper specialisation as appropriate
Desirable:
D1 Experience with RF and electromagnetic sensing applied to e-textiles, flexible, or printed electronics.
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 Project or subject specific experience particularly in the area of electromagnetics and antennas as part of systems.
E3 Experience of scientific writing
E4 Evidence of an emerging track record of high-quality publications in a relevant field
For appointment at Grade 7:
E6 Normally sufficient postdoctoral experience in a related field
E7 Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities E8 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.
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.
