Research Associate in the Digital Validation of Engineered Porous Structures

Loughborough University; Loughborough; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Real Living Wage

Hybrid working options

Family-friendly policies

Job summary

Loughborough University seeks a Research Associate for the Digital Validation of Engineered Porous Structures to contribute to the modelling of porous materials produced via Advanced Manufacturing methods using metals, ceramics, polymers or composites.

The role covers simulations, validation, and verification, plus design of experiments, data analysis and reporting to both scientific audiences and the public.

Qualifications

• Experience deriving experimental designs and protocols in a simulation environment.
• Experience performing simulations that include mechanical behaviours (incl. fatigue) and flow (i.e., CFD).
• Experience handling 3D volumetric reconstructions and software for analysis
• Experience with COMSOL Multiphysics or similar simulators/software
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent self-management and organisational skills
• Willing to work as part of a team and proven performance in a collaborative environment
• Demonstrated ability to write scientific reports, manuscripts and deliver presentations to a specialist audience.

Responsibilities

• Support project involving functional modelling of porous structures and foams for design optimisation.
• Conduct in-silico validation for mechanical performance, CFD, and chemical reactions.
• Design experiments, data harvesting, analysis and interpretation to guide engineering design.
• Communicate results to scientific audiences and the general public.

Skills

Experimental design

Simulation

Fatigue

CFD

3D reconstructions

COMSOL Multiphysics

Communication

Self-management

Team collaboration

Scientific reporting

Tools

COMSOL Multiphysics

Job description

The University is dedicated to supporting an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment - to create better futures, together. The diverse backgrounds, characteristics and opinions within our community are our great strength and are key to our pursuit of delivering educational excellence, enterprise, research and professional services. We welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds and minoritized groups as they are currently under-represented within our community.

We recognise the value of a fulfilling and balanced work and personal life which promotes wellbeing. We seek to support colleagues in achieving this balance and have family-friendly policies, flexible working arrangements and many roles can be suitable for dynamic working arrangement. This includes considering applications to work on a part-time, flexible and job share basis wherever possible.

We are proud to be a Real Living Wage Employer—so much so that we go beyond the standard, providing additional supplementary payments at specific pay points to further support our employees' financial wellbeing. Further information about the Loughborough Real Living Wage Supplement can be found on our HR webpage .

Loughborough University is a UKVI Sponsor. Some individuals may require sponsorship to enable them to apply for a visa to provide them with the right to work in the UK. Please note certain roles are not eligible for sponsorship. For further information and eligibility please visit the UKVI website .

Job details

Job title Research Associate in the Digital Validation of Engineered Porous structures Job reference REQ260648 Date posted 07/09/2026 Application closing date 11/10/2026 Location Loughborough Package Specialist and Supporting Academic Research grade 6 from £35,608 to £43,482 per annum. Job description

Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering

Full Time, Fixed term for 12 months initially, extendable to 24 months pending funding review

Loughborough University is committed to allowing its employees to work dynamically with a combination of working on campus and remotely, where possible

Join us and be part of a vibrant research community at Loughborough University.

Here’s more about the role and what we’re looking for:

We're on the lookout for an individual to support a project that involves the functional modelling of porous structures and foams that have been manufactured using Advanced Manufacturing techniques using metallic, ceramic, polymeric materials or composites. This modelling will inform design decisions for the optimisation of subsequent iterations in the design, manufacture and post-treatment. Functional modelling is the in silico testing (i.e. digital validation) for the assessment of mechanical performance, fluid mechanics properties (e.g., permeability) and chemical reactions, necessary to accelerate the innovation cycle and reduce wastage.

The work will include simulation, validation and verification of products and processes, exploring the concepts of ‘Smart testing’ via in-silico approaches confirmed by ex-silico/experimental results; design of experiments, data harvesting, collation, analysis and interpretation to derive insight and guide engineering design; communicating research results and outputs to a scientific audience as well as the general public.

Key Requirements:

• Experience of deriving experimental designs and protocols in a simulation environment; formal requirements capture
• Experience of performing simulations that include mechanical behaviours (incl. fatigue) and flow (i.e. CFD).
• Experience handling 3D volumetric reconstructions and software for analysis
• Experience with COMSOL Multiphysics or similar simulators/software
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent self-management and organisational skills as well a committed approach to work
• Willing to work as part of a team and proven performance in a collaborative environment
• Demonstrated ability to write scientific reports, manuscripts and deliver presentations to a specialist audience.

Why should you apply?

We are looking for an engineer or scientist who has experience in the use of engineering analysis software, specifically mechanical finite element analysis, computational fluid dynamics and/or Multiphysics software (esp. COMSOL).

Informal enquiries should be directed via email to Professor Paul P Conway ( [e-mail] ) or Professor Carmen Torres ( [e-mail] )

• 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 ( [e-mail] ).

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

Closing Date: October 11 th 2026

OurBenefits

At Loughborough, ourbenefitsare designed to support your life inside and outside of work, helping you to thrive and feel valued as part of our community. Examples of ourbenefitsinclude:

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 andbenefitsat 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.