Research Assistant Custom Additive Manufacturing Hardware (Medical Applications) in Long Whatton

We are looking to recruit a driven Research Assistant in Custom Additive Manufacturing Hardware to join our multidisciplinary team at Loughborough University's Wolfson School. Our PERAMEDIC project brings together experts in material formulation, deposition methods, hardware development, inspection workflows and clinical translation from across Europe. At Loughborough, you'll be supporting the development and modification of additive manufacturing hardware that helps make patient-specific, multi-material tablets and related medical structures a reality.

As a key player within our team, you'll support our project to transform pharmaceutical healthcare by:

• Developing, modifying and testing custom additive manufacturing hardware for medical and pharmaceutical manufacturing applications
• Integrating different extrusion and deposition toolheads, such as filament extruders, pellet extruders and other tools, onto existing or modified 3D printer platforms
• Designing, prototyping and manufacturing fixtures, brackets, adapters and other hardware required to mount toolheads, sensors or auxiliary devices onto additive manufacturing systems
• Supporting the configuration, modification and troubleshooting of 3D printer control boards, machine electronics and related hardware-control systems
• Characterising the precision and performance of additive manufacturing and multi-axis systems, including positional accuracy, repeatability, velocity limits, acceleration limits and related motion or deposition metrics
• Working with colleagues developing direct toolpaths to ensure that hardware capabilities, limitations and test results are understood and incorporated into the manufacturing workflow

You will take a role in:

• Modifying and testing existing 3D printer platforms and related motion/deposition hardware
• Supporting the assembly, setup, calibration and troubleshooting of custom or modified additive manufacturing systems
• Producing practical fixture designs using CAD and manufacturing or sourcing parts through appropriate methods, including 3D printing, workshop fabrication and machined components
• Supporting direct toolpath-based experimental trials, including tests involving intricate paths for medical/pharmaceutical structures and, where relevant, multi-axis systems
• Collecting, analysing and documenting hardware performance, fixture performance, calibration procedures, toolpath execution and manufacturing accuracy
• Liaising with colleagues working on toolpath design, inspection, materials and medical/pharmaceutical manufacturing requirements

Key Requirements:

• Experience of additive manufacturing hardware, mechatronics, machine control, robotics, automation or a closely related engineering area
• Experience of modifying, configuring, building or testing 3D printer hardware or comparable motion/deposition systems
• Experience of integrating, modifying or testing additive manufacturing toolheads, such as filament extruders, pellet extruders or other deposition tools
• Experience of designing, prototyping and manufacturing fixtures, brackets, adapters or other hardware modifications using CAD and practical manufacturing methods
• Experience of configuring, modifying or troubleshooting hardware-control systems, such as 3D printer control boards, microcontrollers, motion controllers or equivalent systems
• Ability to assemble, calibrate, troubleshoot and characterise additive manufacturing or motion-control hardware, including precision, repeatability, velocity limits, acceleration limits or related performance metrics
• Ability to understand how toolpath requirements affect hardware design, setup, calibration and experimental testing
• Good communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to document methods and results clearly
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, Control Engineering, Electronic/Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics or a closely related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience

Why should you apply?

With a huge amount of variety in the role, there is an opportunity for you to develop and continually grow. If this role sounds of interest, we'd love to hear from you. Informal enquiries should be directed via email. 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 you feel may support you during the recruitment process. If there are any adjustments that you would like to discuss, please contact Andy Gleadall.

Our Benefits:

• Generous holiday allowance, including 14 university closure days and bank holidays, with the option to buy extra through our holiday purchase scheme
• Access to a range of fantastic facilities with plenty of green space across our 523-acre East Midlands campus
• Competitive pay, two excellent pension schemes, and everyday savings opportunities
• On-site nursery at our East Midlands campus, flexible and hybrid working options, and a range of family-friendly policies
• Discounted gym memberships and access to world-class sporting facilities, including physiotherapy, plus healthcare offers such as eyesight testing and wellbeing support
• Access to our electric vehicle and cycle-to-work schemes, as well as a variety of travel offers to support sustainable commuting

Loughborough University is committed to achieving equality and valuing diversity in all aspects of employment and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.