Mechanical Design Engineer

Contract Duration: 24 months

The University     

At Durham University we are proud of our people.  A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.     

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.  We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University.    

Further information about the University can be found here.

The Role and Department  

The Centre for Advanced Instrumentation (CfAI) is a major research group in the Department of Physics with approximately sixty staff and research students. It has established a pre-eminent reputation in the development of complex instrumentation for high profile national and international collaborative projects. The group is distributed across two physical locations in the Durham area. Firstly there is the Department of Physics located in Durham itself, with its world leading reputation in academic research. Secondly, there is a dedicated technology facility based at NETpark in nearby Sedgefield, providing access to unrivalled technical facilities for the assembly and test of complex instrumentation.

CfAI develops state-of-the-art instruments and sub-systems for applications across a wide range of disciplines including astronomical instrumentation, biophysics, remote sensing and fusion diagnostics. For example, CfAI has provided major instruments for many of the world’s leading astronomical facilities including the Anglo-Australian Telescope, William Herschel Telescope, Gemini Telescopes, Magellan Telescope, the Very Large Telescope and Southern African Large Telescope. CfAI is also currently involved in developing instruments for the Extremely Large Telescope.

An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, hands-on Mechanical Design Engineer to support the design, development, manufacture and test of a range of astronomical, space-based and other instrument programmes. The vacancy has arisen due to the expansion of the group’s research and development activities following a number of successful funding awards.

The role will encompass a broad array of mechanical engineering design activities from concept development through to detailing and system delivery. The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the hands-on opto-mechanical assembly, integration and test of equipment and instrumentation for astronomical & space based sectors as well as other application areas. The successful candidate will be expected to use existing technical knowledge and develop further skills across a broad array of disciplines including general mechanical design, cryogenics, vacuum system engineering, thermal modelling, FEA, materials selection and electrical systems integration.

An important part of the role will be the analysis and reporting of results. The appointee would be working on substantial national/international projects, often involving large numbers of dedicated scientists and engineers. Working with interdisciplinary and inter-institutional teams will form an essential part of the role, as will the need to travel for collaboration and instrument commissioning.

Contact details          

For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Chris Davison (christopher.davison@durham.ac.uk).

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