Research Associate

Location: Preston Campus

Contract basis: Fixed term - 18 months - due to limited funding

Closing date: 23:59 hours BST on Sunday 7^th April 2024

We invite applications for a Research Associate to work on a project funded by EPSRC to develop a biohybrid microrobotic system for drug delivery. The role of the Researcher will be to investigate and develop a microrobotic control setup including magnetic actuation and visual tracking systems.

The application of microrobots in medicine, for monitoring diseases, highly localized drug delivery, and minimally invasive surgery requires a multidisciplinary investigation. This post aims to accelerate the development of a biohybrid microrobotic system by investigating the control of microrobots and bacteria motility. 

Duties and responsibilities:

• To develop a magnetic actuation setup for microrobotic control.
• To develop a system for imaging and tracking microrobots and bacteria based on visual feedback. 
• To conduct research toward a new platform of microrobots for drug delivery.
• To conduct experiments on control of microrobots.
• To conduct process simulation and design and optimisations.
• To conduct tests and analyse the data.
• To ensure the validity and reliability of data at all times. 
• To maintain highly organised and accurate record of all findings and developments. 
• To assist with the writing of reports and proposals. 
• To present findings to colleagues and students. 
• To provide advice to other staff and students. 
• To assist with the publication of findings. 
• To attend relevant workshops and conferences as necessary.
• To conduct test in the collaborators lab.
• To contribute to the development of interdisciplinary research and scholarship across the School.
• To provide teaching support/presentations to undergraduate/postgraduate sessions, where relevant to research skills and interests.

 Essential requirements:

• PhD in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or a discipline relevant to the post. 
• Experience of research in microrobotics, magnetic actuation and image tracking.
• Ability to contribute to publications and reports through excellent academic research writing skills.
• Ability to work alone and carry out a arrange of research tasks autonomously and also to work as part of a team.

Informal enquiries and requests for more detailed project information should be directed to Dr. Ali Ghanbari via email: aghanbari@uclan.ac.uk.

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We are proud to be a diverse, multicultural university. We are committed to building a truly inclusive culture where diversity is championed. Applications are particularly welcomed from individuals who will support the diversification within the University and support its development of a culture that is inclusive and welcoming to all.

UCLan is committed to providing a safe environment to study, work and visit, protecting children, young people and adults at risk from harm and abuse. Our safeguarding policy and safer recruitment procedure outlines our approach, alongside other internal policies, procedures and guidance which can be found on our website at Safeguarding - UCLan 

Applicants applying for roles in regulated activity and that are listed as an exception under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 will be required to disclose any spent and unspent convictions and undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check at the appropriate level, UCLan will only ask an applicant to make an application for a DBS check if they are legally entitled to.

Further details: Job Description    

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