Research Associate - Medical (electronics or mechanics) Engineer - UCL

[Anne Vanhoestenberghe]

Aspire Centre for Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology



Research Associate or Postdoctoral Research Associate

Job reference: 161248

Closing date for applications: 8^th Feb 2017

Unit	Aspire Centre for Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology
Grade	Grade 6 to 7 (see UCL’s salary scale)
Salary (inclusive of London allowance)	£29.000 to £35.000 per annum depending on skills and experience
Reporting to	Dr Anne Vanhoestenberghe
Duration	The post is available from February 2017 (this date is flexible) and is funded for 12 months full-time.
Hours of work	36.5 hours per week
Annual leave	27 days
Probation period	3 months

Main purpose
Capitel (Control of Active Prosthesis with Implanted Telemetry) is a project funded by the Restoration of Appearance Trust, as part of a larger research effort to improve the offer currently available to upper limb amputees. Within this larger vision, our aim is to develop a complete system to record nervous signals and transmit them to the controller of a prosthetic limb. Our focus in this first stage is the development of the implantable device to record the EMG, a communication method to transmit the signals, and an external setup to receive the signals, display them in near-real time on a computer, and store them.


The appointed person will be part of a team led by Dr Anne Vanhoestenberghe. The researcher’s office will be within the Aspire CREATe research lab (RNOH campus, Stanmore, HA7 4LP), but some of the experimental work will take place at the Royal Veterinary College (Hertfordshire, AL97TA) while some meetings may take place on the Bloomsbury campus (WC1E 6BT).
The post holder will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Develop an interconnection method to transmit electrical signals through a bone anchor. This includes working on the specifications, producing 3D sketches and models to evaluate stresses and strains, sourcing the parts and building prototypes, designing and producing a mechanical test bench to evaluate the quality of the interconnection (long-term mechanical and electrical stability).
  
• Design and produce packages for externally worn power and data unit.
  
• Source electrodes, and produce parts as needed, all work to be done in a cleanroom environment.
  
• Production of electronic devices, some of which will be implantable (production of lab-build parts for telemetry and thick-film substrates, soldering of components, assembly of parts, packaging and work in a cleanroom to produce the implantable devices). Note that this does not include any complex electronics design work as we already have an electronics engineer working on the project, but the candidate will be expected to produce and test the devices, so a willingness to “make things” is important.

In collaboration with the electronics postdoctoral research assistant, the post holder will also assist with testing PCBs; prepare test setups and perform the tests following pre-defined protocol; assist during animal tests (preparing test equipment, being responsible for repeated measurement sessions); contribute to the preparation of quarterly reports and delivery of ad hoc presentations.
All tasks are to be accompanied with the production of technical reports detailing the work done.


Duties and responsibilities

• To undertake the development as stated in the main purpose.
  
• To contribute to the drafting and submitting of papers to appropriate peer reviewed

journals.

• To contribute to the overall activities of the research team as required.
  
• To carry out any other duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as

requested by the line manager.

• To actively follow UCL policies including Equal Opportunities and Race Equality policies.
  
• To maintain an awareness and observation of Fire and Health & Safety Regulations.
  
• As duties and responsibilities change, the job description may be reviewed and amended

in consultation with the postholder.


The duties of the post outlined above are not exhaustive, and the post holder will be expected to be co-operative and flexible, undertaking such other duties as may from time to time be reasonably expected of a member of the university, as requested by the Head of Centre, and Divisional Director. These duties will be subject to review in line with the changing requirements of the Centre, Division or College, and with the development needs of the post holder as identified through regular review/appraisal processes.


The post holder must at all times carry out their responsibilities with due regard to the College’s equal opportunities policy.




Person Specification


All specifications marked desirable are just that. They are not essential and your application will be considered if you do not possess these attributes if you can make a good case for your strengths, and how they would enable you to perform the tasks listed in the job description. All applicants invited for interviews will be asked to demonstrate that they possess the essential criteria, we invite you therefore to think about the best way to do so by presenting devices made by you, and identifying examples demonstrating your strengths in previous projects.

Criteria	Essential	Desirable
Qualifications	A degree in mechanical engineering, or equivalent experience.	A technical qualification (certifying training at a level adequate to work independently in a mechanical or electronics workshop or similar environment), or equivalent experience so that you will be allowed to work in our workshop unsupervised. A post-graduate degree (EngD, PhD), or equivalent experience (your application will be considered without this additional degree), demonstrating your ability to pursue a research project independently.
Skills	Practical skills in engineering, the candidate will be asked to demonstrate something they designed and built, whether as part of a professional activity or hobby. Team work skills will be very important to the success of this project. You will be expected to work as part of a team whose members (postdoctoral researcher, line manager, project lead) do not work in the same place, so excellent communication skills are required. This is difficult to demonstrate, but please be prepared to discuss this and explain why you see this as one of your strength.	Technical writing and presentation skills sufficient to write device specifications and produce technical documents unaided. An ability to specify a system from discussion with the team, and development of a test protocol to verify that the specifications are met. Being capable of procuring parts and equipment, identifying sources online, or specifying needs for subcontractors.
Experience/Knowledge	Experience of 3D drawing software. Experience of Finite Element Modelling concepts (and software). Experience of basic mechanical workshop techniques.	Evidence of technical writing, to be demonstrated by showing the panel a technical report on a novel piece of hardware or software developed by you (whether alone or as part of a team). Basic understanding of electronics, sufficient to perform tests following a predefined protocol. Demonstrable experience of electronic circuit assembly (soldering, packaging). Experience of work with silicone rubber. Experience of work with titanium. Experience of work in a cleanroom environment. Experience of 3D printing, especially metals.
Aptitude	A constructive approach to collaboration and responsibilities as part of a team. An ability to complete projects (ie, deliver a finished, working, product, fully documented for seamless handover). Self motivated. Showing flexibility and ability to review goals as the project evolves.	An understanding of the academic research environment, including the funding process and the need to publish results. A willingness to write papers collaboratively and present results at conferences if required (we understand that personal circumstances may prevent you from travelling, and will accommodate for this).

Recruitment Schedule


Closing date for applications: 8^th Feb 2017.

Interviews: February 2017.
Interviews may be done using skype if you are unable to come to UCL.
Start date: February 2017

This date is flexible.

To apply, use reference 1621248 on the UCL recruitment website.


If you have any questions, email Anne Vanhoestenberghe (a.vanhoest@ucl.ac.uk) or Steve Taylor (stephen.taylor@ucl.ac.uk).


Background Information


The UCL Division of Surgery and Interventional Science is part of one of the most prestigious medical schools in Europe, with a team of approximately 300 people, from surgeons and oncologists to clinical trials specialists and researchers. We cover three campus spread across London. Our aim is to understand the causes of human disease and develop innovative therapies and technology to improve the quality of life of the people around us.
The Institute of Orthopedics and Musculoskeletal Science (IOMS) is based on the Royal National Orthopedic Hospital Trust (RNOHT) site in Stanmore. The activities of the IOMS are mainly research based. The IOMS has an international reputation for translational research in orthopaedics, has used its scientific base to develop implant and treatment strategies for complex orthopaedic conditions, and is aligned with the interests of the RNOHT Research and Development Centres. Research themes cross the disciplines of the centres, such as osteoporosis, bone tumour biology, joint replacement, tissue engineering, performance/ rehabilitation, peripheral nerve and spinal injury.

Aspire Create, the Centre for Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology, is an exciting new joint research venture between the Aspire Charity, University College London and the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore. The centre was established at the beginning of 2014 to develop translational research to improve the quality of life of people with spinal cord injuries (SCIs). Currently, it houses five academics (Dr Tom Carlson, Dr Lynsey Duffell, Dr Rui Loureiro, Dr Steve Taylor and Dr Anne Vanhoestenberghe), along with their researchers. This rapidly growing centre investigates techniques that are applicable and transferable between different domains in related areas of interest, including, but not limited to stroke, muscular dystrophy, amputation, the ageing population and training of specialised skills (e.g. surgical).


Full UCL terms and conditions for Research and support staff http://www.ucl.ac.uk/hr/salary_scales/Support_Research_tcs.php

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