Research Fellow (SAW Wireless Interface) (1023318PN)

The Electronic Materials and Devices Research Group of the ORC at University of Southampton is accepting applications for a Research Fellow. The position will be based at the Highfield Campus and will commence as soon as possible.

The appointee will be part of an interdisciplinary team lead by Prof Themis Prodromakis and will be based at Southampton’s Zepler Institute. This post is funded by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation and the vision is to develop a Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) technology for monitoring in real-time temperature and strain. The technology will be developed collaboratively with Transese Technologies and the Lloyd’s Register Group and will be optimized for being deployed on large metal area representing the inner/outer shell of LNG tanks. The successful candidate will pave the way for unattended LNG tanks in-situ monitoring, providing early warnings for any structural defects and thus predicting failures, and obviating unnecessary dry dock inspections that render the maintenance of LNG carrier (powered) vessels both costly and dangerous.

This post will specifically involve the use of our state-of-art nano-fabrication and facilities at Southampton’s Zepler Institute (www.zeplerinstitute.ac.uk) and advanced characterization techniques. The appointee will join a highly successful and visible group of researchers in related projects, funded by both EPSRC, EU and charitable Foundations, and will be required to coordinate activities among academic and industrial partners. The successful candidate will interact closely with PhD students for developing novel SAW electromagnetically resonant sensor systems with particular emphasis in sensor electromagnetic response, in particular the readout technology. This post will work closely with project partners to develop the sensor readout hardware and algorithms, as well as other Research Fellows that will be responsible for the physical sensing and fabrication aspects of the technology.

Applicants should have a PhD* in Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related subject or equivalent professional qualifications and have a strong background in one or more of the following areas:

Radio frequency engineering

Mixed mode circuit engineering

Antenna engineering

RF and Microwave characterization techniques

Sensors Instrumentation

Skills in one or more of the following areas are desirable:

Radio electronic characterization equipment (Probe stations, Vector Network Analyzer, Spectrum analysers, TDR) 

Skills in developing automated experimental characterization set-ups (e.g. Labview or other Test and Measurement automation software) 

Circuit simulation and prototyping

SAW technologies and sensors

There will be some travel involved both within the United Kingdom and abroad to conduct research, visit collaborators, and attend conferences.

*Applications for Research Fellow positions will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification. The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon successful completion of the PhD. Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given.

This position is available for 2 years. The interviews will be held the week commencing 23rd July 2018.

Further information can be obtained from Prof Themis Prodromakis at email address: t.prodromakis@soton.ac.uk

Application procedure:

You should submit your completed online application form at www.jobs.soton.ac.uk. The application deadline will be midnight on the closing date stated above. If you need any assistance, please call Rosie McPhail (Recruitment Team) on +44 (0) 23 8059 4043. Please quote reference 1023318PN on all correspondence.

Closing Date: 18 Jul 2018
Post Type: Education, Research & Enterprise