Job Vacancy | Post-Doctoral Researcher in Medical Device/Service Design for Circular Economy (DTIF EyeVu Project) at NCAD

EyeVU brings together a consortium primed to develop a technology which will disrupt the single-use endoscope market. While undertaking the development of a single use endoscope for Ear Surgery, (OtoVU) Tympany Medical have developed a platform technology which has broader applications across the wider endoscope market.

The EyeVU project will deliver a disruptive, miniaturised “eyeball” endoscope camera, which will allow clinicians to see around corners, with unparalleled precision. The project is led by Tympany Medical, a Galway-based start-up. The UCD Centre for Micro/nano Manufacturing Technology (UCD-MNMT) will lead the development of the optics and minituaristion of the device while Shannon-based Gentian Services will be responsible for designing the device for manufacture. The collaborative project received by the department went through a rigorous and highly competitive evaluation process involving screening and interview by panels of international experts. NCAD’s Product Design department will be involved in 3 work packages on the project. These will include contextual inquiry, human factors validation, and sustainable design of the device for the circular economy.

Role Description

This academic research role is required to deliver a programme of research as part of the Disruptive Technology Innovation fund project EyeVU.

This ongoing project is currently working on the design and development of an endoscope for the circular economy. The researcher will take a lead on the production of a service blueprint for a complex product/service system in the highly regulated world of medical devices. This will entail design research across the whole lifecycle of the product from “cradle to cradle”. This will include research with manufacturing, procurement, circular logistics and any touch points along the product journey. It will also entail contextual enquiry with clinical and other hospital staff in order to ensure the safety and efficacy of the entire system.

This senior role in the project will be responsible for a number of outputs associated with the project including the service blueprint, customer journey video and circular economy integrated business model. This will be alongside the coordination of relevant work-packages, project timeline, budget and other resources.

The role will operate under the direction and supervision of an academic principle investigator for the project and will be located within the Product Design department in NCAD.

Salary appointment will be made at the appropriate scale and in accordance with the Department of Finance guidelines.

Location: This position is ordinarily based at the NCAD Campus, 100 Thomas Street, Dublin 8. In line with public health guidelines in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic remote working may be required.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

• Execute a specified programme of research and scholarship under the direction of the project Principal Investigator.
• Map the life cycle and user experience of a medical device in the context of the circular economy and present it in an informative and compelling fashion
• Conceptualise product service systems and business models which take account of the current and future procurement models in place in public healthcare settings
• Create Service Blueprints for a circular economy product service system operating within the constraints of US FDA and EU MDR medical device regulations
• Design specific interaction touchpoints such as transport packaging, interactive apps or screens in the proposed product service system.
• Produce informative and compelling presentations of the final product service system through the use of visual displays, interactive touchpoints and customer use videos.
• Engage in appropriate training and professional development opportunities as required by your Principal Investigator, your School or Institute, or the University.
• Engage in the dissemination of the results of the research in which you are engaged as directed by and with the support of and under the supervision of your Principal Investigator.
• Take a leading role in the wider research and scholarly activities of your research group, School and Institute.
• Mentor and assist, as appropriate and as directed, the research graduate students in your School and Institute.
• Undertake such other duties as may be assigned by the Appropriate Officer from time to time

Selection Criteria

Selection criteria outline the qualifications, skills, knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate would need to demonstrate for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post. Applications will be assessed on the basis of how well candidates satisfy these criteria.

Mandatory:

• Experience and qualifications in product, interaction and/or service design.
• Minimum of significant Postdoctoral and / or equivalent research experience (including industry based Research and Development).
• A demonstrated commitment to research and publications.
• Demonstrable record of experience playing a key operations role in a successful research project.
• Excellent Communication Skills (Oral, Written, Presentation etc)
• Excellent Organisational and Administrative skills
• Experience in setting own research agenda

Desirable

• Evidence of experience operating within multi partner research projects at IUA Post Doctorate Researcher level.
• Evidence of research activity (publications, conference presentations, awards) and scholarly output (working papers, research proposals, and ability to outline a research project.)
• Demonstrable record of developing successful research funding applications and/or industry partnerships
• Experience in conducting Life Cycle Assessments and familiarity with LCA software.

For more information and to apply click here.

Deadline: 8 February