Senior Research Associate in 4D Printing of Liquid-Crystal Elastomers

University of Bristol Law School; Bristol; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK university seeks an experienced researcher to support a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship research programme focusing on soft matter and 3D/4D printing. The role involves establishing a printing laboratory, developing LCEs, and contributing to educational activities. Candidates should have strong backgrounds in soft matter mechanics and relevant technical expertise. A collaborative and innovative mindset is crucial for success in this role.

Qualifications

• Experienced researcher in soft matter and 3D/4D printing
• Comfortable with analytical/computational modelling
• Ability to contribute innovative ideas and methodological enhancements

Responsibilities

• Establish a 3D/4D printing laboratory based on a DIW printer
• Print LCEs with tailored nematic directors
• Characterise and test printed structures
• Implement computational software for design

Skills

Soft matter mechanics

3D/4D printing of soft matter materials

Analytical/computational modelling

Laboratory establishment

Education

PhD in relevant field

Tools

Direct Ink Writing (DIW) printer

Computational software for design

Job description

Overview

The role supports the Principal Investigator (Dr Rainer Groh) in delivering an ambitious UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship research programme. By leveraging shear alignment in Direct Ink Writing, the role will tailor the spatial distribution of nematic directors in Liquid Crystal Elastomers (LCEs) to morph 2D printed geometries into target 3D shapes under various stimuli. An additional area of novelty is investigating how short carbon fibres can reinforce LCEs and how fibre directionality interacts with nematic directors.

The role requires an experienced researcher and specialist in soft matter and 3D/4D printing. In addition to additive manufacturing and material characterisation, the role holder should be comfortable with analytical/computational modelling to rationalise experiments. Contributions of ideas and methodological enhancements to guarantee successful delivery of the project are expected. Outcomes should be communicated in premier journals and conferences in soft matter, smart materials and additive manufacturing.

Where practical, the role holder may contribute to teaching through co-supervision of PhD students and teaching support for the PIs final-year unit Mechanics of Lightweight and Composite Structures. Training in effective communication, leadership and entrepreneurship will be available through the PIuture Leadership Fellowship to prepare the role holder for greater responsibilities in the future.

What will you be doing?

The role holder will:

• Establish a 3D/4D printing laboratory based on a DIW printer
• Print LCEs with spatially tailored nematic directors with the printed structures able to morph between a flat geometry and a target 3D shape
• Devise new ways of reinforcing LCEs with recycled carbon fibres to enhance mechanical properties and demonstrate new morphing capabilities
• Characterise and test the printed structures at the University of Bristol and project partners
• Implement or use computational software that predicts, rationalises and designs targeted distributions of nematic directors/fibre orientations to produce a target 3D shape

You should apply if

• You are excited by working at the interface of morphing soft matter, computational design and automated manufacturing
• You have a strong background in soft matter mechanics
• You have experience in 3D/4D printing of soft matter materials and particularly liquid crystal elastomers
• You are excited by starting a new capability in a world-leading research lab
• You have a desire to explore real-world impact of your research

Additional information

For informal queries please contact: Dr Rainer Groh ([e-mail])

To find out more about what its like to work in the Faculty of Engineering, and how the Faculty supports people to achieve their potential, please see our staff blog: https://engineering.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/category/engineering-includes-me/

Contract type: Open ended with fixed funding until 30/11/2029

Work pattern: Full time

Grade: J

Salary: £43,482 - £50,253 per annum

School/Unit: Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on Wednesday 29th October.

Interview dates will be confirmed in due course.

Our strategy and mission

We recently launched our strategy to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.

The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives - particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.