Research Associate - Additive Manufacturing in Sheffield

Research Associate - Additive Manufacturing in Sheffield

Sheffield Full-Time 28800 - 48000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
The University of Sheffield

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join our team to develop innovative models for additive manufacturing processes.
  • Company: The University of Sheffield is a world-class institution focused on research and community.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a wide range of discounts.
  • Other info: This is a fixed-term role until June 2027 with opportunities for professional development.
  • Why this job: Be part of cutting-edge research that impacts the aerospace industry and enhances your skills.
  • Qualifications: A good honours degree or PhD in materials science or related fields is essential.

The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.

Research Associate - Additive Manufacturing

Research Associate - Additive Manufacturing

4 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

The University of Sheffield provided pay range

This range is provided by The University of Sheffield. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.
We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.
Overview
An exciting opportunity for a research associate exists within the Multiscale Materials Informatics and Innovation (M2i2) research group, led by Prof. Hector Basoalto, at the University of Sheffield. The role is part of a programme of research that is fully funded by the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) in a large collaborative programme with several Industry partners, including Airbus, GKN and Renishaw.
Critical for the implementation of additive manufacturing in industry is the rapid qualification of processes and components. For the aerospace industry and the stringent safety regulations imposed, certification can become a significant barrier to the introduction of new technologies with significant costs and time necessary. Digital transformations to process control and design can enable meaningful acceleration of the qualification processes. This research will focus on the creation of a virtual qualification environment and the generation of microstructure-based crystal plasticity models of the additive manufacturing process. Surrogate models to accelerate virtual material testing and verification will be developed to allow the generation of property distributions from process-induced microstructure variations. The research role will contribute to an integrated team at Sheffield University developing an overarching framework for accelerated digital qualification of laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) using multi-phase melt-pool physics and high-fidelity simulations.
Main Duties And Responsibilities

  • Use a modelling approach which allows the creation of a virtual qualification environment and the generation of microstructure-based crystal plasticity models of additive manufacturing.
  • Develop surrogate models to accelerate virtual material testing and verification.
  • Generate property distributions from process-induced microstructure variations using the surrogate models created.
  • Work with the extended team to link the simulation of sensor data with new multi-scale processes for microstructure/property prediction, allowing process induced mechanical fields to be linked with microstructure.
  • Work as part of an integrated modelling team with fellow researchers at Sheffield University who are developing and implementing digital frameworks on LPBF technologies.
  • Liaise, coordinate and collaborate with the industrial partners that are aiming to increase their LPBF productivity and quality using digitally enabled approaches.
  • Generate regular project update reports and presentations and deliver them to the industrial partners at appropriate technical review meetings.
  • Prioritise activities to achieve objectives agreed with the supervisors and project partners.
  • Maintain up to date knowledge of relevant literature.
  • Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.
Person Specification
Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn\'t match perfectly with this role\'s criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.
Essential criteria
  • Have a good honours degree (or equivalent experience) and hold a PhD or be close to completion (or have equivalent experience) of a PhD, in materials science, engineering or physical science or any other relevant discipline. (assessed at: application/interview).
  • A good understanding of theoretical continuum micromechanics linking microstructure evolution to plasticity. (assessed at: application/interview)
  • Experience in computational mechanics, especially numerical methods for solving field equations relevant to material mechanics, i.e., Finite Element schemes, Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), etc. (assessed at: application/interview)
  • Experience in the underlying principles and modelling of Additive Manufacturing. (assessed at: application/interview)
  • Experience in the generation of microstructure-based crystal plasticity models. (assessed at: application/interview)
  • Experience in multi-scale process models for microstructure/property prediction. (assessed at: application/interview)
  • Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving with an appreciation of longer-term implications. (assessed at: application/interview)
  • Ability to help and be proactive in the management of a collaborative project that has multiple industry and academic partners. (assessed at: application/interview)
  • The ability to write technical reports and scientific papers with minimal supervision. (assessed at: application/interview)
Desirable criteria
  • Experience in multi-scale process models for microstructure/property prediction. (assessed at: application/interview)
  • Knowledge of the requirements for digital threading, particularly in establishing digital workflows between physical and digital platforms. (assessed at: application/interview)
Further Information
Grade: 7
Duration: Fixed term until 30.06.2027
Line manager: Professor Hector Basoalto
Direct reports: N/A
Our website: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/cmbe
For informal enquiries about this job contact
Dr Gavin Baxter, Programme Manager, on g.j.baxter@sheffield.ac.uk
Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in August or early September 2025. This will consist of a panel interview and a short presentation. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage as soon as possible after the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Amanda Temple at cmbe-postaward@sheffield.ac.uk
Our vision and strategic plan
We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).
What We Offer
  • A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
  • Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
  • Generous pension scheme.
  • A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
  • A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
  • Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
  • A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways / Professional Services Shared Skills Framework.
  • A range of generous family-friendly policies
    • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
    • support for those going through the menopause
    • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
    • and more
More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).
We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.
We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.

Seniority level

  • Seniority level

    Entry level

Employment type

  • Employment type

    Full-time

Job function

  • Job function

    Engineering and Information Technology
  • Industries

    Higher Education

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Research Associate - Additive Manufacturing in Sheffield employer: The University of Sheffield

The University of Sheffield is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises diversity, employee wellbeing, and professional development. With generous benefits such as competitive annual leave, flexible working arrangements, and a commitment to fostering a supportive environment, employees are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally in the heart of Sheffield, a city renowned for its rich history and community spirit.

The University of Sheffield

Contact Details:

The University of Sheffield Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Research Associate - Additive Manufacturing in Sheffield

Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the latest advancements in additive manufacturing and digital qualification processes. This will not only help you understand the role better but also allow you to engage in meaningful conversations during interviews.

Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the field, especially those connected to the University of Sheffield or its industrial partners like Airbus and GKN. Attend relevant conferences or webinars to make connections that could give you an edge.

Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your experience with computational mechanics and numerical methods in detail. Be ready to provide examples of how you've applied these skills in past projects, as this will demonstrate your practical knowledge.

Tip Number 4

Showcase your ability to work collaboratively by highlighting any previous experiences where you successfully managed or contributed to team projects. This is crucial for a role that involves liaising with multiple industry partners.

We think you need these skills to ace Research Associate - Additive Manufacturing in Sheffield

PhD or equivalent experience in materials science, engineering or physical science
Theoretical continuum micromechanics
Computational mechanics
Numerical methods for solving field equations
Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
Fast Fourier Transform (FFT)
Additive Manufacturing principles and modelling

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role:Thoroughly read the job description for the Research Associate position. Make sure you understand the key responsibilities and required skills, especially those related to additive manufacturing and computational mechanics.

Tailor Your CV:Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience and skills that match the job requirements. Emphasise your academic background, particularly your PhD or equivalent experience, and any specific projects related to materials science or additive manufacturing.

Craft a Strong Cover Letter:Write a compelling cover letter that addresses the essential criteria listed in the job description. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you meet these criteria and express your enthusiasm for the role and the research group.

Prepare for Technical Questions:Anticipate technical questions related to microstructure-based crystal plasticity models and numerical methods. Be ready to discuss your previous work and how it relates to the responsibilities of the role during the interview process.

How to prepare for a job interview at The University of Sheffield

Understand the Role and Responsibilities

Make sure you thoroughly read the job description and understand the key responsibilities of a Research Associate in Additive Manufacturing. Be prepared to discuss how your skills and experiences align with these duties, particularly in areas like computational mechanics and microstructure modelling.

Showcase Your Technical Skills

During the interview, highlight your experience with numerical methods and any relevant software tools you've used in your previous work. Be ready to provide examples of how you've applied these skills in practical scenarios, especially related to additive manufacturing and material testing.

Prepare for Collaborative Questions

Since this role involves working with multiple industry partners, be prepared to discuss your experience in collaborative projects. Think of examples where you've successfully worked in a team, managed different stakeholders, and contributed to achieving common goals.

Ask Insightful Questions

At the end of the interview, take the opportunity to ask questions that demonstrate your interest in the research group and the projects they are working on. Inquire about the future direction of the M2i2 group or how they envision the integration of digital workflows in their processes.