Research Assistant: Robotic AM Control for Medical Apps in Loughborough

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Job details:

• Job reference: REQ260425
• Date posted: 20/07/2026
• Application closing date: 03/08/2026
• Location: Loughborough
• Package: Specialist and Supporting Academic Research grade 5, £29,588 per annum.

Job description:

Wolfson School of Mechanical Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering. Full Time, Fixed Term until 31 January 2027, based on campus.

We’re looking to recruit a driven Research Assistant in Robotic Additive Manufacturing Control 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 of robotic and multi-axis manufacturing workflows that help 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 and testing real-time control workflows for additive manufacturing systems involving multiple pieces of hardware, such as robots, printheads, auxiliary tools, rotation stages and linear rails.
• Implementing and evaluating toolpaths for robotic and multi-axis additive manufacturing, including paths with defined position, velocity and acceleration requirements.
• Supporting the integration of 3D printing nozzles, alternative tools and inspection devices into flexible laboratory-scale robotic manufacturing systems.
• Characterising the performance of robotic and multi-axis systems, including positional accuracy, repeatability, velocity limits, acceleration limits and process reliability.
• Working with colleagues developing direct toolpath-design methods, including FullControl-based workflows, to ensure that hardware behaviour and motion constraints are reflected in the manufacturing process.

You will take a role in:

• Developing Python-based scripts and workflows for controlling robotic, additive manufacturing and auxiliary hardware in a Linux-based environment.
• Operating and testing six-axis robotic systems, including robots controlled through manufacturer APIs such as uFactory or equivalent platforms.
• Supporting the development of open and adaptable control workflows for coordinated hardware, including robots, printheads, motion stages and inspection systems.
• Designing and running experiments to assess whether complex toolpaths can be executed reliably on robotic and multi-axis manufacturing systems.
• Documenting control workflows, test procedures, hardware configurations and performance data so that they can be reused by the wider project team.
• Liaising with colleagues working on toolpath design, inspection, materials and medical/pharmaceutical manufacturing requirements.

Key Requirements:

• Experience of robotic systems, mechatronics, machine control, automation, additive manufacturing or a closely related engineering area.
• Programming skills, ideally in Python, for hardware control, automation, data acquisition or experimental engineering systems.
• Understanding of motion control concepts, including position, velocity, acceleration, coordinate systems and machine limits.
• Experience of working with, testing or characterising motion systems, such as robotic arms, linear rails, rotation stages, 3D printers or other automated equipment.
• Ability to understand direct toolpath requirements and communicate effectively with colleagues developing toolpath-design or CAD/CAM workflows.
• Practical problem-solving skills involving software, hardware, experimental testing and system integration.
• 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 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 to a.gleadall@lboro.ac.uk. 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.

For more information refer to the Job Description and Person Specification.

Closing Date: 3 August 2026.

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 your family – on-site nursery at our East Midlands campus, flexible and hybrid working options, and a range of family-friendly policies.
• 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. Loughborough University is committed to achieving equality and valuing diversity in all aspects of employment and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.