At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop and analyse advanced materials for innovative applications in health, sport, and electronics.
- Company: Join the vibrant community at Loughborough University, a leader in education and innovation.
- Benefits: Generous holiday allowance, competitive pay, flexible working options, and access to world-class facilities.
- Other info: Opportunities for personal growth and career development in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Be part of groundbreaking research that shapes the future of technology and society.
- Qualifications: PhD or equivalent experience in functional materials and strong lab skills required.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Application Closing Date: Sunday, 23 August 2026
Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering
Full time or part time role, fixed term until 31 May 2028
Join us and be part of a vibrant community at Loughborough University. Here’s more about the role and what we’re looking for:
The project entails the development, analysis and engineering of advanced low-dimensional functional materials, additive manufacturing and device integration in multisectoral applications spanning wearable sensors for health, sport and wellness, e-fibres and e-textiles, neuromorphic computing devices and applications for consumer electronics and defence. Examples of engineered materials include quantum dots (0D), carbon nanotubes and semiconductor nanowires (1D), graphene and other two-dimensional materials (2D), polymers and nanocomposites.
The role will involve selecting and optimising material structures, optimising ink formulations for device integration in flexible and stretchable substrates, including polymeric and textile substrates, using additive manufacturing techniques, such as printing, coating and non-lithographic techniques, while maintaining optimum device performance, accuracy and reliability.
You will have:
- Experience in formulation, optimisation and integration of functional materials in flexible and wearable substrates.
- Experience in the use of analytical equipment in a laboratory environment including morphological (AFM, SEM, TEM), electrical, optical, spectroscopic (Raman, UV/Vis, FTIR) and chemical characterisation.
- Experience in working with computational modelling and CAD tools (e.g. MATLAB, COMSOL, Abaqus, Geant4) to assist the design and optimisation tasks.
- Experience in acquiring, curating and analysing data derived from field trials (including human or animal subjects) and analytical techniques.
- Demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Experience working in a lab, including the preparation of risk assessment and COSHH forms to ensure a safe working environment.
- Engaged in translational and/or entrepreneurship programs aiming to exploit research outputs.
- Have a PhD degree (or close to completion) in a related subject, or equivalent experience.
Why should you Apply? With huge amount of variety in the role, there is an opportunity for you to develop and continually grow. If this sounds like the right place, team and role for you please do get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.
Informal enquiries should be directed to Prof Luigi G. Occhipinti, Principal Investigator, via email or by telephone on +44 (0) .
For more information refer to the Job Description and Person Specification.
Application Process: For further support with your application, please refer to our application guidance, which includes some top tips to help you when completing your application. We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process. If there are additional adjustments, you’d like to request please contact Prof Luigi Occhipinti. We also offer reasonable adjustments on the job.
Closing Date: 23 August 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Our Benefits: At Loughborough, our benefits are designed to support your life inside and outside of work, helping you to thrive and feel valued as part of our community. Examples of our benefits include:
- Time off - generous holiday allowance, including 14 university closure days and bank holidays, with the option to buy extra through our holiday purchase scheme.
- Where you work - access to a range of fantastic facilities with plenty of green space across our 523-acre East Midlands campus, plus an exciting community at our London campus on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
- Financial Wellbeing - competitive pay, two excellent pension schemes, and everyday savings opportunities.
- Support for you and those close to you - through our range of life event leave policies as well as access to an on-site nursery at our East Midlands campus, flexible and hybrid working options.
- Health and Wellbeing - discounted gym memberships and access to world-class sporting facilities, including physiotherapy, plus healthcare offers such as eyesight testing and wellbeing support.
- Travel and sustainability - access to our electric vehicle and cycle-to-work schemes, as well as a variety of travel offers to support sustainable commuting.
Discover more about the full range of rewards and benefits at Loughborough University.
Research Associate in Innovative Advanced Materials and Manufacturing in Hathern employer: Loughborough University
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