Description Role: Research Assistant Grade and Salary: Grade 6, £31,236.00- £33,002.00 per annum FTE and working pattern: Part time, Fixed Term Contract for 18 Months Holiday Entitlement: 33 days annual leave plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday) Purpose of Role The Research Assistant is expected to carry out power amplifier design and measurement, and integrated direct-to-cell active antenna array design. The start date is expected in Jan/Feb 2026. It will be carried out under the supervision of Dr Haijun Fan. For more information, please send enquiry emails to Dr Haijun Fan ( h.fan&64;hw.ac.uk ). The application requires a CV and a cover letter explaining the motivation/interest in this project to be submitted through the university portal. Candidates are invited to specifically highlight in their applications how they fulfil the essential criteria for the post, listed below. Key Duties & Responsibilities The post holder is required to: Develop RF circuits and microwave power amplifiers Conduct power amplifier testing and measurement Set up USRP platform for wireless end-to-end demonstration Carry out other general tasks involved in scientific research as analysis and interpretation of data. Collaborate with partners within the project and others as appropriate The post holder will join the Microwaves & Antenna Engineering Group (https://microwaves.site.hw.ac.uk/) and will be expected to work collaboratively and cooperatively in a team environment Attend group and project meetings, communicating progress on a regular basis. Deliver presentations to project collaborators and the wider research community Essential & Desirable Criteria Essential Honours degree in Electrical engineering, or other relevant subjects The ideal candidate will have a strong experimental background in one or more of the following fields: power amplifier, GaN, active antenna array, microwave engineering, and wireless communication Commitment to adopting principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace Desirable Previous experience with one or more of the following: GaN power amplifier development Active antenna array development Wireless communication system demonstration with USRP and LabVIEW Capability to be self-directed and think innovatively How to Apply Applications can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on Wednesday 11th February 2026 Please submit your CV & covering letter via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment. 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/. Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University. About the Team The Institute of Signals, Sensors, and Systems (ISSS) at Heriot-Watt University (HWU) hosts Scotland’s largest and most dynamic microwave and antenna engineering group (https://microwaves.site.hw.ac.uk/). Internationally acclaimed for its cutting-edge RF and microwave research, the group leads innovation in space and next-generation wireless applications. At the heart of ISSS, the Microwaves and Antenna Engineering Group stands as a global leader in microwave and antenna technologies that power the physical layer of future wireless systems. Combining world-class academic expertise with strong industrial partnerships, the group drives transformative research and skill development to accelerate the adoption of advanced RF front-end solutions across emerging communication and sensing technologies. With a vibrant team of 11 academic experts and over 20 postdoctoral researchers and PhD students, the group is shaping the future of RF, microwave, and satellite engineering, from breakthrough concepts to real-world impact. About Heriot-Watt University At Heriot-Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team. Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.