The Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) , located within the School of Biology and the Scottish Oceans Institute, is a world-leading research group that specializes in the biology of marine mammals. SMRU research depends on the development of new approaches that deliver information on the behaviour of marine animals and their environment. This capability is delivered by its Instrumentation Group, which designs and builds a range of electronic devices for attachment to animals that collect, compress and transmit data . These devices are used both by the SMRU and a wide range of international customers and colleagues.
The Instrumentation Group currently consists of eight staff, comprising biologists, software/hardware engineers and technical staff, who work across the traditional boundaries of their own disciplines. Our success depends upon the dynamics, innovation and commitment of the Group as a whole; all members of the group must work together and communicate freely to coordinate their activities and meet development and production targets. We need to simultaneously develop novel technology while supplying customers with instruments (approximately 350 per year) in a timely and efficient manner.