Postdoctoral Researcher
Frontier Research on the Dielectric Properties of Biological Tissue
College of Engineering, NUI Galway
Ref. No. NUIG-107-15
Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a full time fixed term position as a
Post-Doctorate Researcher with Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the National University of
Ireland, Galway. This position is funded by the European Research Council and is available from
1st. October 2015 to the 30th September 2018.
Job Description:
The successful candidate will work alongside Dr. Martin O'Halloran (in collaboration with Dr. Róisín
Dwyer and Professor Michael Kerin) in examining the dielectric properties of biological tissue, as a
platform for the development of new electromagnetic medical devices.
The dielectric properties of biological tissues are of fundamental importance to the understanding
of the interaction of electromagnetic fields with the human body. These properties are used to
determine the safety of electronic devices, and in the design, development and refinement of
electromagnetic medical imaging and therapeutic devices. The research team will embark upon
frontier research to develop improved methods and standards for the measurement of the dielectric
properties of biological tissue.
The research programme will accelerate the design and development of electromagnetic imaging
and therapeutic devices, at a time when the technology is gaining significant momentum. The
primary objective of the research is to develop a deep understanding of the fundamental factors
which contribute to errors in dielectric property measurement. These factors will include in-vivo/exvivo measurements and dielectric measurement method used, amongst many others. Secondly, a
new open-access repository of dielectric measurements will be created based on a greatly
enhanced understanding of the mechanisms underlying dielectric property measurement. Finally,
new electromagnetic-based imaging and therapeutic medical devices will be investigated, based
on the solid foundation of dielectric data.
The position will require an individual with sufficient expertise in electromagnetic imaging (radio
frequency and microwave), digital signal processing, dielectric measurement and microwave
imaging and therapeutics. The postdoctoral researcher will work closely with clinical partners to
design and implement experiments to examine the dielectric properties of biological tissue, and
later use these refine properties to design and develop new electromagnetic medical devices. The
postdoctoral researcher will also be expected to contribute to the supervision of more junior
members of the research team (masters and PhD students and research assistants).
Duties:
 Design and conduct experiments on the dielectric properties of biological tissue, in an effort
to identify sources of random and systematic error, and to establish the "ground-truth" in
terms of the dielectric properties of biological tissue.
 Use these newly established dielectric properties of biological tissue to design novel
electromagnetic imaging and therapeutic medical devices.
 Author original research articles, reports and other resources related to the dielectric
properties of biological tissue and electromagnetic medical devices.
 Co-supervise masters and PhD students and research assistants working in the wider
research team.
Qualifications:
Essential
 A PhD (completed or near-completion) in microwave imaging.
 Experience in both microwave tomography and microwave radar imaging.
 Strong background in Digital Signal Processing (DSP).
 Track record of publishing in microwave medical imaging journals.
 Highly motivated and passionate about new scientific discoveries.
 Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
 Clear evidence of good inter-personal skills.
Desirable
 Experience in working as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
 Experience in measuring the dielectric properties of materials.
 Experience in the supervision of masters/PhD students.
 Experience in the presenting of research findings at international conferences.
Salary: € 37,750 (public sector pay policy rules pertaining to new entrants will apply).
Start date: Position is available from 1st October 2015
For informal enquiries about this post, please contact Dr Martin O'Halloran
(martin.ohalloran@nuigalway.ie).
Further information on research and working at NUI Galway is available on Research at NUI
Galway.
For information on moving to Ireland please see www.euraxess.ie
To Apply:
Applications to include a covering letter, CV, and the contact details of three referees should be
sent, via e-mail (in word or PDF only) to Dr. Martin O'Halloran (martin.ohalloran@nuigalway.ie)
Please put reference number NUIG 107-15 in subject line of e-mail application.
Closing date for receipt of applications is 5.00 pm Monday 31st August 2015
Interviews will take place week of 7th September 2015.
National University of Ireland, Galway is an equal opportunities employer.