Research Assistant (Fixed Term)

Applications are invited for a Research Assistant to join the BioElectronic Systems Technology Group, working on the fabrication of bioelectronic devices for monitoring gastrointestinal physiology. The successful candidate will play a key role in developing and manufacturing devices using cleanroom-free and standard cleanroom lithography techniques, with a focus on PEDOT:PSS and related materials.

The role holder will contribute to the ERC CODEBREAKER project; a cutting-edge initiative aimed at developing an electronic device toolkit to interface with the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and elucidate functional pathways of the gut-brain axis (GBA) in health and disease.

The role is ideally suited to a motivated scientist or engineer with hands-on experience in microfabrication, organic electronics, or related fields. The successful candidate will contribute to the design, fabrication, and characterisation of devices using cleanroom and cleanroom-free techniques for advanced bioelectronic applications. These activities support ongoing research into interfacing electronics with biological systems and biosensing applications. This role also allows the post holder to undertake a PhD aligned with the same research activities.

Key responsibilities include the fabrication of organic electrode devices using standard lithography and cleanroom processes; the preparation and processing of PEDOT:PSS and other electrode materials; device characterisation and quality control, with a focus on reducing batch-to-batch variation; collaboration with multidisciplinary teams in bioelectronics, tissue engineering, animal surgery, and biosensing to understand device implementation and design criteria; maintenance of cleanroom protocols and safety standards; assistance with experiments related to biosensing; and training and mentoring inexperienced users on protocols, best practices, and effective instrument operation.

The successful candidate will be based in the Department of Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology (CEB) and work between CEB and the newly established Institute for Biomedical Innovation, working under the supervision of Professor Roisin Owens. The department offers world-class facilities and a vibrant research environment, with strong links to clinical and industrial partners.

The successful candidate will be employed as a Research Assistant. This role allows the post holder to also undertake a PhD course subject to meeting the criteria for admission.

The successful candidate will start in October 2026.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 3 years in the first instance.