Research Associate for Manufacturing-Oriented Computational Design
Job description
We are seeking a motivated and collaborative individual to join the Digital Manufacturing Lab as a Research Associate for Manufacturing-Oriented Computational Design. The project aims to develop a computational kernel to effectively generate optimised structure and toolpaths for robot-assisted additive manufacturing with dynamically changed material accumulation directions. The research is funded by The University of Manchester and the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
You will be responsible for:
- Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with the assistance of a mentor if required.
- Conduct individual and collaborative research projects.
- Write up research work for publication.
- Prepare proposals and applications to external bodies, e.g. for funding and contractual purposes.
- Plan and manage own research activity in collaboration with others.
We welcome candidates who bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and approaches to their work.
About You
We encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You should demonstrate:
Essential Criteria
- Have, or be about to obtain, a relevant PhD (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering / Industrial Engineering
- Specialist knowledge in computational design, advanced manufacturing, intelligent mechatronics or robotics
- Experience in C++ programming and mathematics formulation
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
We value transferable skills and real-world experience as much as formal qualifications.
Our benefits include:
- Generous employer contribution pension
- 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays, along with Christmas closure
- Ride to work and EV car scheme available
For more information, please see [University of Manchester Benefits]([external link] You can also find information on our Flexible and Hybrid working [here]([external link]
We are an open place of enquiry and challenge. We embrace and celebrate difference, diversity and debate, and we pride ourselves on being a place of education, learning and community where we are able, within the law, to question and test received wisdom, express new ideas and explore controversial or unpopular topics and opinions. Find out more from our [Freedom of Speech Policy]([external link]
Enquiries about the role, shortlisting and interviews
Name: Charlie Wang
Email Address: [email protected]
General enquiries and administrative support
[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
Technical and job portal support
[[external link]
Applications close at midnight on the closing date.
Further particulars (with person specification) linked below.
Skills mentioned

The University of Manchester's story is a rich tapestry woven into the fabric of its home city, the world's first cradle of industrial revolution. Its origins trace back to 1824 with the establishment of the Mechanics' Institute, a place born from the conviction that workers and artisans should have access to the fundamental principles of science. This foundational belief in accessible education for societal advancement was further cemented in 1851 with the founding of Owens College, thanks to a significant bequest from textile merchant John Owens. His vision was to create a college free from religious tests, a progressive stance for its time. These two pioneering institutions, the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST) and the Victoria University of Manchester, would spend the next century working in close collaboration, each building a formidable reputation in its own right. The modern chapter of this journey began on 22 October 2004, when these two historic institutions formally merged to create the single, powerful entity known today as The University of Manchester. This amalgamation formed the largest single-site university in the United Kingdom, a research and teaching powerhouse with a global reach. The university's heritage is studded with world-changing discoveries and brilliant minds. It was here that Ernest Rutherford first split the atom, where Alan Turing, Freddie Williams, and Tom Kilburn developed the world's first stored-program computer, and where the revolutionary material graphene was first isolated by Andre Geim and Kostya Novoselov, earning them a Nobel Prize. With 25 Nobel laureates among its past and present staff and students, the university continues to be a beacon of innovation, driven by a commitment to social responsibility and a resolve to tackle the world's greatest challenges through its research and teaching.
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