Autonomous wearables using next-generation thin-film power and sensing electronics

In this fully-funded, joint PhD, you will work across engineering, health, and social disciplines. You will develop flexible and printed electronic components and systems for a bespoke health-monitoring wearable device, implementing new fabrication and integration techniques for lightweight, cost-effective, and energy-efficient electronics. Your process will include co-design with stakeholders, ensuring specifications meet requirements. Development will be conducted in the laboratories at the Advanced Technology Institute, University of Surrey and, circumstances permitting, a visit of up to three months to partner labs in Japan will allow an additional dimension to technical and personal development.

In the second part of the project, you will be based at the University of Wollongong, participating in user studies, refining designs, and learning and contributing to science (informed by results of scoping sessions with stakeholders) that uses generated data to study human motion and sedentary behaviour.

To be considered for this position, you will have: a degree in electronic engineering, chemistry, physics or material science; an interest in hands-on development of printed electronics including transistor circuits, sensors, solar cells, and supercapacitors, integrated in a reliable manner; and some electronic system design experience (microcontroller systems, printed circuit boards, etc.). Additional skills include communication with diverse communities, including non-specialists, and a strong drive for developing beneficial and impactful technology, via versatile design. It is expected that scientific outputs will be of the highest quality, aiming for prestigious journals and conferences.

You will join a diverse team, in a professional yet relaxed work environment, focused on outcomes, continuous development, and wellbeing. Opportunities exist to contribute to other projects. Support networks with research groups and host institutions present mentoring and career development prospects. At the end of the project, you will be a leading expert in emerging electronic system design, with a unique understanding of human factors.

Supervisors

• Dr Radu Sporea
• Dr Jae Sung Yun
• Professor Anthony Okely

Open to UK and international candidates.

Applicants are expected to hold a first or upper-second class degree in a relevant discipline (or equivalent overseas qualification), or a lower second plus a good Masters degree (distinction normally required).

IELTS Academic: 6.5 or above (or equivalent) with 6.0 in each individual category.