Mechanical Engineer

About us

UCL is one of the world's top universities based in the heart of London. It is a modern, outward-looking institution. UCL's staff and former students have included 29 Nobel prize winners. It is a truly international community: more than one-third of our student body – more than 35,000 strong – come from 150 countries and nearly one-third of staff are from outside the UK.

The Atomic Molecular Optical and Positron Physics (AMOPP) research group in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at UCL comprises of over 100 personnel – academic staff, postdoctoral researchers, PhD students, and support staff. A significant part of the research in the group involves laboratory-based experiments with lasers, high-vacuum systems, high-voltage electronics, and cryogenics. These experiments cover research areas including antimatter physics, cold atoms and molecules, quantum sensing, and quantum computing. Many of the pieces of state-of-the-art apparatus used in this work are purpose built, and designed and constructed in house with direct involvement by our technical support staff.

About the role

The significant growth in experimental research activities in the AMOPP group over the last decade has motivated us to expand our team of technical support staff who work together with our academic staff, postdoctoral researchers and PhD students.

The main purpose of this post is to work within the AMOPP mechanical workshop to support the experimental research activities within the AMOPP group. This support will include the design, fabrication, and construction of new purpose-built scientific equipment. This equipment will be developed in close collaboration with PhD students, postdoctoral researchers and permanent academic staff. A high standard of production will be required for all work carried out, to ensure the world-leading experimental research activities in the AMOPP group remain competitive.

The post holder will also develop and lead a training program, together with a member our academic staff, in basic mechanical workshop skills for small numbers of PhD students each year.

About you

The successful applicant will have a degree/higher national certificate in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent experience, or completion of a recognized apprenticeship as a Mechanical Technician/Engineer or equivalent experience.

Candidates should also have experience operating and maintaining lathes and milling machines; knowledge and experience working with CAD software, and experience designing and producing high-precision mechanical component. They should also have excellent communication skills in the English language.

Experience working in a university research environment is desirable but not essential.

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer great benefits. Please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/rewards-and-benefits to find out more.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people and LGBTQI+ people.

You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/

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