Applications are invited to join an international research consortium aiming to build a neuronal pacemaker.

Your role in the project will be to develop digital twins of neuronal circuits of the brainstem and train them on electrophysiological data to provide the correct adaptation of pulses delivered to the heart

You will work in close collaboration with a the team at Bath testing and validating the pacemaker device, project partners, external consultants, and clinicians.

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral position in computational neuroscience to build and train the digital twin of a neuronal pacemaker.  You will estimate the network parameters that will configure pacemaker adaptation to physiological feedback.  The digital twin model consists of Hodgkin-Huxley type neurons emulating the brainstem central pattern generators that control heart rate adaptation on a beat-to-beat basis.  The model will be trained on actual electrophysiological recordings and electrocardiograms to produce the correct timings of pulses delivered to the heart following changes in respiration patterns and oximeter readings.  The group has extensive experience in optimizing such models with data assimilation and has demonstrated the importance of adaptive beat-to-beat pacing for reversing cardiorespiratory disease.  You will work in close collaboration with the postdoc testing and validating the pacemaker device by configuring its central pattern generator with estimated parameters and assist with coding.  You will also collaborate with other team members, project partners, external consultants, and clinicians.

The post calls for a Physics/Computational/Engineering PhD or a closely allied discipline with a good understanding of dynamical systems and proficient at modelling them in C/C++ and Python.  Additional experience in inverse problems, AI, neural networks, GUI coding or bioengineering would be a bonus.    You will also have good organisational, time management skills, the ability to organise data for publication, and good communication skills to thrive within an interdisciplinary consortium.

The aim of the consortium is to provide much needed therapy for cardiorespiratory disease.  By restoring heart rate adaptation and natural heart rate variability, the project will make a significant contribution to extending patients’ lives and improving patients’ quality of life.

The post holder will be a Physics/Computational/Engineering (or closely allied discipline) trained PhD with a good understanding of dynamical systems and proficiency at modelling them in C/C++ and Python.

Additional experience in inverse problems, AI, neural networks, GUI coding or bioengineering would be a bonus as well as good organisational and communication skills.

This is a fixed term role with an expected duration of 3 years.

For an informal discussion, please contact Prof Alain Nogaret, A.R.Nogaret@bath.ac.uk

What we can offer you:

We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students, so we encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our  commitment.

We are very proud to be an autism friendly university and are an accredited Disability Confident Leader; committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.

• Free counselling services through Health Assured
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Staff discount at Team Bath gym
• Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
• Staff discount on language courses
• Generous employer contributory pension schemes
• Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
• A wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and more
• Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
• Local discounts and more
• A family-friendly workplace 
• An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
• Relocation allowance
• Visa reimbursement and Interest-Free Loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses

We are committed to continually expanding our benefits to better support you and enhance your experience with us. Find out more about our benefits.

Find out from our staff what makes the University of Bath a great place to work. Follow us and on X for more information.

Closing Date: 20 Apr 2025

Department: Education & Â鶹´«Ã½

Salary: £38,249 to £45,413

Applications are invited for a research technician in bioelectronics/bioengineering to test and validate an adaptive neuronal pacemaker.  A pacemaker prototype was recently developed in our group that successfully delivered beat-to-beat cardiac resynchronization in-vivo in response to changes in physiological feedback.  This 3 years project will miniaturize the pacemaker and sensors to deliver a CE mark compliant grade III implant.  Your role will be to design an ISO13845 compatible pacemaker enclosure that hosts the miniaturized circuit board, sensors and connectors to meet the CE mark standards of biocompatibility and safety.  You will work in close collaboration with the Bioelectronic postdoc delivering the circuit board and the quality control consultants defining the biocompatibility requirements and solutions to comply with the GSPR checklist.   You will also keep a log of all modifications in pacemaker design for CE mark application filing.  You will assist the Bioelectronic postdoc in testing the pacemaker and implementing design alterations following pre-clinical trials.

Applications will be welcome from graduates with a Bioengineering/ Biomaterials/ Electrical engineering background.  The ideal candidate will have experience in the test and validation of analogue and mixed analogue-digital circuits, knowledge of Labview, Bluetooth wireless protocols.  Experience in medical device delivery that comply with established quality standards, quality control, and prior interactions with notified bodies would be a strong advantage for the position.  Good communication skills are desirable to contribute to regular meetings with members of the CResPulse consortium, contractors and stakeholders.

This post is offered on a fixed term basis for 3 years.

For an informal discussion relating to this vacancy, please contact Prof Alain Nogaret pysarn@bath.ac.uk or, Dr Jenny Williams jw2136@bath.ac.uk.

What we can offer you:

We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students, so we encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our  commitment.

We are very proud to be an autism friendly university and are an accredited Disability Confident Leader; committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.

• Free counselling services through Health Assured
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Staff discount at Team Bath gym
• Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
• Staff discount on language courses
• Generous employer contributory pension schemes
• Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
• A wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and more
• Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
• Local discounts and more
• A family-friendly workplace 
• An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
• Relocation allowance
• Visa reimbursement and Interest-Free Loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses

We are committed to continually expanding our benefits to better support you and enhance your experience with us. Find out more about our benefits.

Find out from our staff what makes the University of Bath a great place to work. Follow us and on X for more information.

Closing Date: 20 Apr 2025

Department: Technical & Experimental

Salary: £26,338 to £29,959

Applications are invited for a research associate in Bioelectronics to design, integrate, test and validate a neuronal pacemaker circuit. This circuit emulates the central pattern generators of the brainstem to restore heart rate variability and beat-to-beat adaptation to respiration and oximeter sensors. The group has earlier demonstrated the benefits of this approach for reversing heart failure and will test the hypothesis in cardiac arrhythmias. You will work in close collaboration with a computational neuroscientist who will provide you with the optimal network parameters to produce the correct pacing adaptation. You will be supported by a technician who will address bioengineering and biocompatibility aspects as well as ISO13845 compliance for grade III implants. The overall aim of the consortium is to deliver a 3-lead neuronal cardiac pacing device that will be tested in chronic trials with clinical partners in Austria and Czechia.

The aim of the consortium is to provide much needed therapy for cardiorespiratory disease. By restoring heart rate adaptation and natural heart rate variability, the project will make a significant contribution to extending patients’ lives and improving patients’ quality of life.

The post will require a PhD in Bioelectronics/Electrical engineering (or a closely allied discipline) or exceptionally a Master with an excellent track record of project delivery. You will have experience in designing and integrating mixed analogue-digital circuits, test and validation, microcontroller and GUI programming, the ability to organise experimental data for publication, and good communication skills to interact with members of the consortium. Desirable skills include the knowledge of Labview and bluetooth wireless protocols, experience in delivering bioelectronic / bioengineered projects to successful completion. The position offers outstanding opportunities for the right applicant in terms of leadership development, multidisciplinary experience within scientific and medical teams and the opportunity to be participate in device translation within a subsequent startup. 

This is a fixed term role with an expected duration of 3 years.

For an informal discussion, please contact Prof Alain Nogaret, pysarn@bath.ac.uk

What we can offer you:

We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students, so we encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our commitment.

We are very proud to be an autism friendly university and are an accredited Disability Confident Leader; committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.

• Free counselling services through Health Assured
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Staff discount at Team Bath gym
• Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
• Staff discount on language courses
• Generous employer contributory pension schemes
• Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
• A wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and more
• Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
• Local discounts and more
• A family-friendly workplace 
• An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
• Relocation allowance
• Visa reimbursement and Interest-Free Loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses

We are committed to continually expanding our benefits to better support you and enhance your experience with us. Find out more about our benefits.

Find out from our staff what makes the University of Bath a great place to work. Follow us and on X for more information.

Closing Date: 20 Apr 2025

Department: Education & Â鶹´«Ã½

Salary: £38,249 to £45,413