Research Associate

University of Glasgow; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Generous leave (41 days for full-time)

UoG Sport membership

Health and wellbeing

Job summary

The University of Glasgow seeks a highly skilled mechanical engineer to contribute to the Induction Melt Incremental Thermoforming project within the Composites Group of the Materials and Manufacturing Cluster. You will perform specialist lab work, CAD/FEA modeling, data analysis and support publications and proposals.

The role requires independent planning, collaboration with internal and external partners, and engagement in dissemination activities while developing a strong research track

Qualifications

• Proven CAD experience with composites manufacturing and data analysis.
• Ability to communicate complex technical material clearly in writing and speech.
• Strong organisational skills to manage multiple research activities.

Responsibilities

• Take a leading role in planning and conducting assigned research in line with project deliverables and strategy.
• Document research output including analysis and interpretation of data, maintaining records and drafting progress reports.
• Establish and maintain your research profile, track record of publications, and enhance research impact.
• Survey literature and environment to develop a research strategy delivering project requirements.
• Present work at international and national conferences and internal seminars to raise impact.
• Lead in identifying funding sources and assist in developing proposals to secure funding.
• Develop and maintain collaborations with colleagues across groups and external partners.
• Lead team meetings and group activities to enhance knowledge and culture.
• Organise, supervise, mentor and train undergraduate/postgraduate students.
• Perform administrative tasks related to group activities and budgets.
• Contribute to teaching activities as assigned.
• Keep up to date with advances in the field.
• Engage in personal and career development.
• Undertake additional duties as required by line manager and Head of School.
• Contribute to the University’s international profile.

Skills

CAD

Communication

Organization

Education

PhD level qualification or equivalent professional experience

Job description

Job Purpose

To make a leading contribution to the project “Induction Melt Incremental Thermoforming of Advanced Thermoplastic Composites” working in the Composites Group (https://www.harrison-composites-group.com) within the Materials and Manufacturing Cluster (https://www.materials-glasgow.org) at the University of Glasgow. The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications and research proposals as well as help manage and direct this complex and challenging project/disciplinary area as opportunities allow. As part of the research team, you will carry out specialist lab work and other tasks relating to design, CAD, FEA simulations, contributing directly to the delivery of the EPSRC-funded research project in partnership with the Light-Weight Manufacturing Centre.

This position is suitable for a mechanical engineer interested in design, manufacture and modelling. The idea is to develop a press-forming system integrating diaphragm forming and press forming of advanced composite materials. The project will require design and manufacture of a multi-step forming process, modelling of the process and experimental investigation and validation. Required skills include CAD, FEA and image analysis. Desirable knowledge includes composite manufacturing and robotic control. As well as assisting with lab work, simulations, results measurement, and data-driven evaluation, the successful candidate will be expected to contribute to project meetings, project reports, publications, and dissemination activities. They will show strong independent planning, research, and analysis skills, working well under supervision when necessary. The project sits at the intersections of design, manufacturing, composite materials and finite element modelling, an interest in those areas is required.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• 1. Take a leading role in the planning and conduct of assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and project/group/School/College research strategy.
• 2. Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.
• 3. Establish and maintain your research profile and reputation and that of the University of Glasgow/School/Research Group/area, including establishing and sustaining a track record of independent and joint publications of international quality, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.
• 4. Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project & subject area, and develop/implement a suitable research strategy to deliver project/area requirements and opportunities.
• 5. Presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research and/or impact profile.
• 6. Take a leading role in the identification of potential funding sources and to assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research and impact.
• 7. Take a leading role in developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across the research group/area/School/College/University and wider community (e.g. academic and industrial partners).
• 8. Take a leading role in team/group meetings/seminars/workshops and School research group/area activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs and culture of the School/College.
• 9. Take the lead in the organisation, supervision, mentoring and training of undergraduate and/or postgraduate students and less experienced members of the project team to ensure their effective development.
• 10. Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School, including budgets/expenditure.
• 11. Contribute as appropriate to teaching activities (e.g. demonstrating, etc) and associated administration, as may be assigned through the School in consultation with your line manager.
• 12. Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.
• 13. Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.
• 14. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by your line manager and the Head of School.
• 15. Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with University strategy.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) plus track record of emerging independence within a research/professional environment, or alternatively possess professional qualifications and experience equivalent to PhD level plus the requisite experience.

A2 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within the relevant research disciplines as outlined in the Job Purpose.

A3 Well-developed working knowledge of research methods, technical models, equipment and techniques relevant to the project/discipline as outlined in the Job Purpose.

Skills

Essential:

C1 Computer Aided Design (CAD), experience with composites manufacturing including press forming and vacuum infusion and data analysis.

C2 Ability to communicate material of a specialist or highly technical nature and to be effective both orally and in writing at a level appropriate to the activity.

C3 Effective organisation skills to manage time, prioritise and deliver appropriate research, teaching and administrative responsibilities.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Experience of planning and progressing work activities within professional guidelines or organisational policy, applying initiative and independent judgement.

E2 Developing track record of research outputs compatible with enhancing the School’s research profile in accordance with School objectives.

E3 Experience of making distinct contributions to identifying and pursuing research funding (or equivalent business development) applications.

E4 Proven commitment to supporting the career development of colleagues and to other forms of collegiality appropriate to the career stage, including some experience of research project supervision.

E5 Commitment to open research, as appropriate to the discipline, through open data, open code, open educational resources and practices that support replication.

Desirable:

F1 Experience of participating in activities that translate research into impact to benefit the economy and wider society.

F2 Experience of contributing to the design and delivery of teaching and assessment in higher education or other relevant environments.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £41,064 - £46,049 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours per week), and has funding available until 25 June 2027.

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

• 1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
• 2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/ , benefits and discount packages.
• 3 A flexible approach to working.
• 4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under‑represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.

Closing Date: 31 August 2026 at 23:45.