Postdoctoral Research Associate

Postdoctoral Research Associate – NEUROBOT Project

Salary: From £34,610 on Grade E, depending on qualifications and experience.
Contract: Full-time, fixed-term (1 April 2026 – 31 March 2028)
Location: Department of Engineering, University of Exeter

The Role
The Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the ARIA-funded NEUROBOT project, an innovative collaboration between the Universities of Glasgow, Exeter, Manchester, Newcastle, NeuroBite, and the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT). NEUROBOT aims to revolutionise neuromodulation therapies through implantable “neurobots” — micron-scale, battery-free devices capable of recording and stimulating brain activity with unprecedented precision.

Based at Exeter, you will lead the design and development of wireless activation and communication systems enabling safe, efficient, and selective control of neurobots. Your work will focus on wireless energy transfer, external transmitter/receiver systems, and robust communication links for operation in complex biological environments. The role involves advanced electromagnetic modelling, system-level simulation, and experimental validation to achieve deep-tissue activation with minimal invasiveness.

You will collaborate closely with partners at Glasgow and IIT to integrate Exeter’s wireless technologies with neurobot hardware, contributing to the overall architecture of the project’s wireless neuromodulation system.

About You
You will have:

• A PhD (or equivalent) in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Electromagnetics, Bioelectronics, or a related field.
• Expertise in wireless systems, antenna/microwave engineering, RF design, or implantable device technologies.
• Experience with electromagnetic simulation tools (e.g. HFSS, CST, COMSOL) and practical RF measurement or prototyping.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to work across disciplines including electronics, materials, and biomedical engineering.

Experience in magnetoelectric materials, MEMS/NEMS fabrication, or medical device design would be advantageous. You will also contribute to project reporting, publications, and collaborative experiments across partner institutions.

What We Offer

• Freedom and support to pursue innovative, interdisciplinary research.
• Specialist professional support from the University’s Innovation, Impact and Business directorate.
• Career development through the Exeter Academic initiative.
• Excellent benefits, including up to 26 weeks full pay for maternity, adoption, and shared parental leave; up to 6 weeks full pay for paternity leave; and a Fertility Treatment Policy.
• A vibrant research community on a beautiful Devon campus.

About the University of Exeter
A member of the Russell Group, Exeter is ranked in the top 200 universities worldwide (THE and QS 2024) and holds Gold in the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework for Student Experience and Outcomes. Over 99% of our research is internationally recognised, and 47% is world-leading (REF 2021).

We actively engage with industry, business, and community partners to enhance research impact and student employability. Exeter is also a UNESCO Creative City and a fast-growing tech hub in one of the UK’s most scenic regions.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
We are committed to equality and to providing reasonable workplace and interview adjustments. We particularly welcome applications from groups underrepresented in our community.

With 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from over 150 countries, Exeter celebrates diversity through initiatives such as Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter, Stonewall Diversity Champion, and Disability Confident Employer. We are also proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant.

Further Information
For informal enquiries, contact Dr Rupam Das (r.k.das@exeter.ac.uk)

Closing date: 15 January
Interviews: Late January

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