UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH WALES
PRIFYSGOL DE CYMRU
Faculty for Advanced Technology
Research Assistant (Ref: FAT1034)
Fixed-Term contract
External Vacancy
£22,700 – 26,264 per annum
The Medical Electronics and Signal Processing Research Unit at the University of South Wales seeks to recruit a fulltime research assistant for the duration of 1 year to deliver the outcomes of a project entitled “Designing Better
Adaptive Brain Computer Interfaces for Stroke Rehabilitation using High Performance Computing ".
The project -partly funded by HPC Wales- aims at investigating recent developments in portable EEG to provide
cheaper and portable rehabilitation tools for people with motor and cognitive disabilities. This will be achieved by using
direct Brain Computer Interfacing (BCI) along with other biofeedback and brain stimulation modalities. Portability will
enable acquisition of longer EEG recordings which is likely to require use of high performance computing facilities.
The post holder will work under the supervision of Dr. Ali Roula and Professor Peter McCarthy.
We are seeking applicants with outstanding academic credentials. The ideal candidate must have a minimum of a PhD
degree in electrical engineering, computing, biomedical engineering or related areas with experience of conducting
research projects. Knowledge of C/Matlab programming and signal processing methods is essential. Knowledge and
experience of high performance computing, brain physiology, EEG measurement techniques and general biomedical
engineering is desirable.
Any inquiries about the position please contact Dr. Ali Roula (ali.roula@southwales.ac.uk)
Closing date: Saturday, 31st August 2013
Ref: FAT1034
The Glamorgan Group welcomes applications from Welsh speakers and promotes the use of the Welsh Language in accordance with
Welsh Language legislation and its Linguistic Skills Strategy.
Mae Grŵp Morgannwg yn croesawu ceisiadau oddi wrth siaradwyr Cymraeg ac yn hyrwyddo defnydd o'r Gymraeg yn unol â
deddfwriaeth yn ymwneud â'r Gymraeg a'i Strategaeth Sgiliau Iaith.
FURTHER PARTICULARS FOR THE POST OF RESEARCH ASSISTANT
ELIGIBILITY TO WORK IN THE UK
The University of South Wales has a legal responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the
UK.
For academic and research vacancies or those that require highly specialised skills and qualifications, we will often be
able to obtain a ‘Certificate of Sponsorship’ for a suitably qualified applicant who is not currently eligible to work in the
UK, if there are no suitable ‘resident’ candidates i.e. European Economic Area.
For vacancies that are not academic, research or highly specialist, however, it is extremely unlikely that a certificate of
sponsorship would be granted. It is an essential requirement that before submitting an application form you confirm
your eligibility by visiting the Home Office website http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/. Here you will
find useful information on the Points Based Immigration System, along with a convenient Points Calculator.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Responsible to:
Dr. Ali Roula and Professor Peter McCarthy.
Responsible for:
Delivering the outcomes of a project entitled “Designing Better Adaptive Brain Computer Interfaces for Stroke
Rehabilitation using High Performance Computing ".
Main purposes of job:
The purpose of this full-time research assistantship is to conduct the research tasks on the project entitled “Designing
Better Adaptive Brain Computer Interfaces for Stroke Rehabilitation using High Performance Computing ".
The project -partly funded by HPC Wales- aims at investigating recent developments in portable EEG to provide
cheaper and portable rehabilitation tools for people with motor and cognitive disabilities. This will be achieved by using
direct Brain Computer Interfacing (BCI) along with other biofeedback and brain stimulation modalities. Portability will
enable acquisition of longer EEG recordings which is likely to require use of high performance computing facilities.
Principal responsibilities & duties:
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Conduct all data collection and analysis tasks related to the project.
Meet and engage with project stakeholder including supervisors, HPC Wales and the industrial partner.
Investigate and develop methods and solutions to the problems generated by the project.
Recruit and manage volunteer users for experimental work
Keep record of project management information such as meeting minutes etc.
Take part in any training provided as part as of the project.
Take care of hardware and lab facilities used during the project.
Write publications and other dissemination tasks likely to result from the outcomes of the project.
Participate in media and public engagement activities as required.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Essential
a) Master’s degree in electrical engineering,
computing, biomedical engineering or related
areas.
KNOWLEDGE
Essential
b) C/Matlab programming and signal processing
methods
c) Time/Frequency analysis methods.
EXPERIENCE
Essential
d) Experience of conducting research projects.
e) Experience of programming for signal
processing applications.
TRAINING
Essential
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Essential
f) IT skills.
g) Project management abilities.
h) Time management abilities
Desirable
i)
PhD degree in a biomedical engineering or
related areas.
Desirable
j) High performance computing.
k) Brain physiology.
l) EEG measurement techniques.
m) Biomedical engineering.
Desirable
n) High performance computing.
o) Brain physiology.
p) EEG measurement techniques.
q)
Biomedical engineering. Systems.
Desirable
r) EEG measurement techniques.
s) Brain Computer Interfacing methods.
t) High performance computing.
Desirable
It is essential that when making an application, candidates specifically address the criteria set out in the
Person Specification. This information will be used in deciding those to be shortlisted.
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
The successful applicant will be appointed to the post of Research Assistant, in the service of the University of South
Wales.
CONTINUOUS SERVICE
Your continuous service will commence on your first day of employment at the University of South Wales. The
University does not recognise continuous service with other employers in any respect except in accordance with the
Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government, etc) (Modification) Order as amended.
TENURE
This is a Fixed Term Position.
STAFF APPRAISAL AND DEVELOPMENT
You will be required to participate in the Staff Appraisal and Development Scheme for Support Staff.
This Scheme is the means by which your individual work objectives will be set, annually. It is also the means by which
your learning, training & development needs will be identified to support you, throughout your employment with the
University, in the achievement of your objectives. The University expects a commitment to such personal development
from all its staff, and it is intended that this should be planned, and effectively evaluated to assess its impact upon
performance.
In February 1999, The University of Glamorgan became the first University in Wales to achieve the prestigious Investor
in People Award.
Staff Training & Development is therefore recognised as a fundamental part of the University’s Human Resources
Strategy and is an important key to the achievement of the University’s Vision and Strategic Goals.
GRADE/SALARY
This post is graded Grade D and the range of this grade is £22,700 - £26,264 per annum. Common practice is to
appoint people to the minimum of the grade.
PROBATION
New entrants to the service of the University of South Wales are appointed subject to a probationary period of not
normally more than 6 months, during which time we will seek to confirm their suitability for the post.
CRIMINAL RECORDS BUREAU DISCLOSURE
As you will have noted from the advertisement for this post, it has been assessed as one where, if you are appointed,
you will be required to obtain a Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure. Disclosures obtained with another organisation
are not accepted by the University.
Because the Disclosure will form part of the Recruitment Process, you will, if invited to interview, be requested to
provide details of any criminal record you may have.
If appointed you will In due course be required to register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority.
MEDICAL CLEARANCE
All posts in the University of South Wales are offered subject to medical clearance. If appointed, you will be required to
complete a questionnaire (confidential to the University’s Medical Adviser) detailing your medical history, and you may
be requested to attend a medical examination.
HOURS OF WORK/WORKING ARRANGEMENTS
The post-holder will be contracted to work 37 hours per week and as part of this contract can be requested to teach up
to 6 hours per week.
LEAVE
The annual leave entitlement is 35 days per annum, plus nine statutory and other holidays.
PENSION ARRANGEMENT
You will have the option of joining the Local Government Pension Scheme and contributions will be made at rates of
between 5.5% and 7.5% of gross salary dependent into which pay band your salary falls; or you can take out
a personal pension with an approved provider.
TERMINATION
Your appointment shall be terminable, except in the case of probation or dismissal for gross misconduct by the
institution giving you 3 months notice in writing, or by you giving the institution two months notice in writing.
HEALTH & SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES
ALL STAFF
All staff are responsible for the health and safety of both themselves, and others upon whom they may have an effect.
All staff must co-operate with the University in achieving its Health and Safety objectives. More detailed generic
responsibilities are included in Appendix 7.3 of the University health and safety policy.
LINE MANAGERS
All staff are responsible for the health and safety of both themselves, and others upon whom they may have an effect.
All staff must co-operate with the University in achieving its Health and Safety objectives.
Additionally, each Line Manager is responsible for the detailed adoption of the University's Health and Safety Policy,
within their span of control. More detailed generic responsibilities are included in Appendix 7.3 of the University health
and safety policy.
APPOINTMENTS PROCEDURE
Referees
Candidates should note that the University normally contacts referees for those shortlisted without further advice to
candidates.
If you do not wish a referee/s to be contacted, prior to interview, you should state this clearly.
Internal candidates should supply details of one referee only, being their Head of Department or Line Manager.
External candidates will be asked to supply three referees.
Progress of Application
If you are successful in being selected for interview for the above post, you will be notified within 6 weeks of the closing
date. If you have not heard by this date, then you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this
occasion.
In the meantime, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in the University of South Wales, and
to wish you luck in your application.
Closing date: Saturday, 31st August 2013
Ref: FAT1034