Research Assistant/Associate in Device Engineering

Salary:
Research Assistant: £30,619 to £32,411 per annum
Research Associate: £33,348 to £43,155 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits . We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 18 June 2023

The Role

Cardiovascular diseases accounted for 45% of all deaths in Europe in 2017, equating to 3.9 million fatalities. Damage to the heart muscle caused by heart attacks is determined through the measurement of cardiac troponins, protein biomarkers that are unique to the heart. Preliminary work on cardiac biomarker detection can be found in a recent publication ( https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.1c05566 ) where we compared different methods for the functionalisation of the sensors.

In this project, we seek to optimise our prototype device for thermal detection of troponin. We aim to miniaturise the device, incorporate microfluidics, and adapt both the software and electronics to make the device more user-friendly. Changes to the design will be made in consultation with industrial partners. More information about the sensors and thermal technology is available via the personal research website of Dr Peeters ( https://www.marloespeeters.nl ).

The successful applicant will be based in the Advanced Materials and Electrochemical Engineering group, a vibrant research community of early career and senior researchers in biomaterials in the School of Engineering. The majority of the research will take place in the Bioinspired Materials lab of Dr Peeters, where the RA will work with a range of researchers and is expected to supervise junior researchers. The project is highly multidisciplinary and therefore we also expect engagement with the Faculty of Medical Sciences and associated industrial partners.

We are committed to building and maintaining a fair and inclusive working environment and we would be happy to discuss arrangements for flexible and/or blended working.

The appointment is offered on a full-time basis (37 h/pw), available from August/September 2023 for an initial term of 9 months.

To apply, please complete an online application form and upload a CV and covering letter. Please structure your covering letter as a supporting statement of no more than two sides. Please outline how you meet or exceed the requirements for the role as listed below.

The project is full time for 9 months starting from August or September 2023.

This project is a collaboration between Dr Marloes Peeters, Dr Katarina Novakovic, Dr Jake McClements from the School of Engineering at Newcastle University, with Prof Spyridopoulos based in the Faculty of Medical Sciences. Interested applications are encouraged to contact Dr Peeters: Marloes.Peeters@newcastle.ac.uk .

Key Accountabilities
Redesign and miniaturized the current prototype of the thermal device used for monitoring of troponin, considering electronic and software requirements
Incorporate a microfluidic platform for the analysis of measurements
Evaluate clinical samples with the developed device and compare this to the current gold standard (immunoassays)
Take a lead in data processing and report writing.
Present results at meetings and conferences, and discuss the results with our industrial partner
Take part in writing of publications.

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Practical knowledge of at least one of the following research areas: Mechanical, Electronic or Chemical
A strong publication portfolio, showing evidence of working with an increasing impact in your field/discipline
Ability to communication and present research outcomes to academic and industrial colleagues
Ability to work in laboratory environments
Desirable
First-hand experience with software such as Python or LabView, or work with Arduino-based systems
Experience with manufacturing of devices
Experience with microfluidics

Attributes and Behaviour
Excellent in English communication with self-motivation, enthusiasm and open-minded attitude
Strong interpersonal and teamworking skills
High level of analytical and problem-solving capacity
Communicates complex information clearly and adapts communication styles to suit the audience
Professional approach with a commitment to equality, diversity, dignity, and respect in the workplace
Desirable
Willingness to travel and visit prospective industrial, and work under pressure to achieve deadlines
Experience in public engagement and disseminating research via professional and social media

Qualifications
MSc or PhD in a relevant discipline i.e., Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.
Requisition ID: 25566