Research Associate for Design Optimization in Soft Robotics

Job reference: SAE-026780
Salary: £36,024 - £44,263 per annum dependent on relevant experience
Faculty/OrganisationaluUnit: Science and Engineering
Location: Manchester
Employment type: Fixed Term
Division/Team: Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering
Hours per week: Full Time (1 FTE)
Closing date (DD/MM/YYYY): 07/01/2025
Contract duration: 24 months
School/Directorate: School of Engineering

Background

This is a new project taken in the smart manufacturing group led by Prof. Charlie Wang. The project aims to enable a deformable mannequin to facilitate the customised garment production for different body shapes by employing the many more degree-of-freeform deformation that can be provided by a soft robotic system rather than conventional robots with rigid bodies. This research will be conducted in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering at the University of Manchester, and is funded by UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

Overall Purpose of the Job

The role of the Research Associate is to work on the simulation technology as controllable deformation and the geometric optimisation of chamber design; meanwhile, this Research Associate will help the other Research Associate in the same project to complete the design and fabrication of mannequins. Candidate should have a BEng / MSc / PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering / Computer Science or Applied Mathematics and strong research record in computational design, advanced manufacturing, geometric modelling, or robotics. Excellent skills in C++ programming and mathematics formulation are expected. There are two posts available.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status.  All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.           

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any recruitment enquiries from recruitment agencies should be directed to People.Recruitment@manchester.ac.uk.

Any CVs submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Prof. Charlie Wang

Email: changling.wang@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries:

Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk

Technical support: jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

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