PhD position in Bio-mechatronics based on Fat-Intra Body Communication - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Electrification and digitalisation are among the largest areas for the future in the conversion to sustainable societies. The Department of Electrical Engineering conducts successful research and education in the areas - renewable energy sources, electric vehicles, industrial IoT, 5G communication and wireless sensor networks as well as smart electronic sensors and medical systems. The Department of Electrical Engineering is an international workplace with around 130 employees that all contribute to important technical energy and health challenges at the Ångström Laboratory.

The position will be in Microwaves in Medical Engineering Group at the Solid State Electronics Division, at the Department of Electrical Engineering.

Medical Engineering Group (MMG) is a leading group in medical engineering and is the part of the Solid-State Electronics Division at the Angstrom Laboratory. Microwaves in Medical Engineering Group (MMG) is focused on developing physiological sensors and systems for monitoring various human disease conditions, Fat intrabody communication, microwave phantoms and medical robotics. MMG coordinates the EU H202 FET-Open Grant B-CRATOS on Brain Computer interface and is developing high bandwidth high data rate wireless fat intrabody communication channel for the fullduplex communication between brain and mechatronic extremities.

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Project description
The PhD research work will be mainly centered in the design and implementation of biomechatronic extremities actuated via Fat Intra Body Microwave Communication. Design and fabrication of dexterous prosthetic hand and small-scale vascular robots is planned as part of the research work. Development of novel actuation techniques for reduced power consumption in wearable and implantable scenarios foreseen. Conducting simulation and experimental study to fat channel communication-based control of bionic extremities. The project in which the PhD student will be hired foresees collaboration between MMG and the networked embedded systems division in the Electrical Engineering department.

The research will be conducted in a wide range of scientific fields, focusing on robotics, communication and biomedical technology, but also in collaboration with information technology. The work will be conducted in a very interdisciplinary environment, where close contacts with future users in clinical medicine and performance enhancement in sports is a prerequisite for success. 

The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the SSF and Horizon 2020 projects. The PhD candidate will work in close collaboration with other researchers, international collaborators and assist in the clinical studies at Akademiska Sjukhuset, Uppsala.

We have an exciting work environment designed by the doctoral student and the research team together. The doctoral student will be supervised by at least two supervisors.

Duties

• Design and implementation of biomechatronic extremities using Fat-IBC interfaces
• Formulation of Ultra-wideband dynamic phantom models for Intra Body Microwave Communication and Sensing.
• Characterization of materials to be implemented during the development phase of bionic prosthetics.
• Development of novel composite materials of various permittivity range and morphology to emulate human body.
• Conducting simulation and experimental study to analyze fat channel communication driven mechatronic extremities to develop smart prosthesis to enable amputees
• The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties. No more than 20%.

Requirements

• The applicant must hold a master degree in technical physics or electrical engineering
• Very good oral and written proficiency in English  

Personal qualities such as a strong motivation for quality improvement and performance and the ability to lead and run research projects while interacting with other researchers and students are very important. Applicants must be purposeful, structured and able to work effectively both individually and in groups.

Additional qualifications
documented experience in research in biomechatronics, microwave phantoms, fat-intra body communication and associated components.  We require good knowledge of different microwave systems and components, from simulation and design methods to implementation methods, and of different hardware architectures for data processing. For Instrumental and hardware control we require experience with, e.g., LabView and Matlab and on some of the following architectures: VLSI, FPGA, ARM7, Philips 89v51rd2, 8051, 8086, Xilinx CPLD, Beagle Board xM Rev C. 

Experience of CAD tools is appreciated, as well as experience in some of the following: 3 D printing, AWR Microwave Office (and related products), Ansoft HFSS, ADS Agilent, Sonnet Lite, Antenna Magus, AppCad, OrCAD, Real Time Design Tool, Eagle PCB Design, CADENCE Virtuoso, Synopsys, and Smith Tool.

Application
Please use the link below. You should include a brief description of your research interests and relevant experience, a CV, copies of diplomas and certificates, thesis (or a draft thereof) and other relevant documents. You are encouraged to provide contact information to reference.

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date xx or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: Assoc. Prof. Robin Augustine, Robin.Augustine@Angstrom.uu.se

Please submit your application by 26th of January 2023, UFV-PA 2023/68.

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