PDRA Post Doctoral Research Associate

Location: Edinburgh

Contract: Full Time (1FTE), Fixed Term 18 Months

Salary: Grade 7, £36,023-£44,263 pa (salary dependent on experience & qualifications) 

Closing Date: Midnight on Thursday 26^th October 2023

Reference: 3336

Heriot-Watt University has established a reputation for world-class teaching and leading-edge, relevant research, which has made it one of the top UK universities for innovation, business, and industry.

The School of Engineering & Physical Sciences has an international research reputation and close connection with the professional and industrial world of science, engineering, and technology. 

Job Summary

The PDRA will work on the Medical Research Council (MRC) funded project is “Developing Novel Technology for Data Driven Clinical Decision Making” MR/Y007816/1. The project aims to combine ultra-precision laser ablation with metabolic profiling via mass spectrometry providing pathological information to the surgeon to stratify patients and inform on more effective, targeted treatments that prevent recurrence. This is a collaboration with Imperial College London and The University of Leeds.

Detailed Description

Developing a new laser-tissue processing regime will involve detailed parameter optimisation linked to the generation of an ejection plume that can be used, via Mass Spectrometry, to metabolically profile tumours in high resolution. This will involve several real-time techniques to quantify the effects the ultra-short, pulsed laser parameters on the plume dynamics and quality of ablation.

Key duties and responsibilities

The post holder is required to:

• General tasks will involve scientific research, analysis and interpretation of data, daily oversight of the activities of postgraduate and undergraduate project students in the laboratory.
• Contribute to experimental design and procedure as part in a collaborative decision-making process.
• Implementing experiments, theoretical models, and data analysis.
• Assistance in the day-to-day maintenance of the experimental facilities, liaising with external collaborators, assisting in the development of student research skills, and contributing to teaching within Physics and Engineering.

Essential Criteria 

Applicants must have:

• Applicants should hold a PhD in a relevant area of Physics or Engineering or related subject (or a thesis submitted by the start date of the position).
• Ability to articulate research work, both in written technical reports / papers and by oral presentation.
• Must have proven academic ability and a demonstrable high level of technical competence in experimental science and the analysis / modelling of the results.
• Theoretical or experimental experience of in an area of direct relevance to the project.
• Ability to formulate and progress work on their own initiative with evidence of research ability: problem solving, flexibility.
• Must be able to work as part of a team on the experiments at Heriot-Watt out with the specific project and more widely with the collaborators at other Universities.

For all criteria, further details and to apply, pleaes click the 'Apply' button, above.

Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities.  Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.

Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/

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