Research Associate/Fellow - In-process Optical Metrology

Location: Jubilee Campus

Salary: £28,762 to £37,474 per annum, (pro rata if applicable) depending on skills and experience (minimum £32348 with relevant PhD). Salary progression beyond this scale is subject to performance

Applications are invited to join the Manufacturing Metrology Team (MMT) at the University of Nottingham to carry out research focused on designing, installing, and characterizing a multi-view optical fringe projection technology for advanced manufacturing applications using Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) systems. This technology will be used in conjunction with process and melt-pool monitoring sensors. The in-process fringe projection system, once tested, will be customised into the LPBF system at the University of Cambridge.

This is an exciting opportunity to join one of the world’s leading metrology research groups and contribute to high-value research into optical metrology and additive manufacturing (AM).

The outcome of this project will contribute to a technology position that can be applied across a broad range of industrial sectors, bringing the benefits of low-cost AM of metal parts, with increased productivity and quality. The proposed research is an exciting merger of UK research organisations, highly innovative small to medium enterprises, and multinational corporations poised to implement a new generation of AM capabilities.

Candidates will require an in-depth understanding of the optical measurement techniques and expertise in fringe projection techniques and/or in-process metrology. Skills in image processing and model development are desirable. Candidates must also have excellent programming skills in a relevant scientific language, such as MATLAB or Python, to facilitate advanced data analysis of measurement outputs.

Apart from being able to lead the research work on this project, good communication, presentation/reporting and publishing skills are required for the person appointed to effectively interact with the international academic and industrial partners involved in this research project. In addition to carrying out project work, the researcher will benefit from exposure to internationally leading industrial companies that are interested in the results of this project.

Candidates must possess a good first Degree (or Master's) and PhD (or near compeletion) in engineering, physics, computer science or similar topic/related disciplines. 

This full-time post (36.25 hours per week) will be offered on a fixed-term contract until 31st December 2025. 

All informal enquiries may be addressed to Dr Samanta Piano (Associate Professor in Metrology, Samanta.Piano@nottingham.ac.uk) or Dr Luke Todhunter (Centre Manager, Luke.Todhunter@nottingham.ac.uk). Please note that applications sent directly to either of these addresses will not be accepted.

Further details:

Our University is a supportive, inclusive, caring and positive community. We warmly welcome those of different cultures, ethnicities and beliefs – indeed this very diversity is vital to our success, it is fundamental to our values and enriches life on campus. We welcome applications from UK, Europe and from across the globe. For more information on the support we offer our international colleagues, see our Moving to Nottingham pages.

For successful international applicants, we provide financial support for your visa and the immigration health surcharge, plus an interest-free loan to help cover the cost of immigration-related expenses for any dependants accompanying you to the UK. For more information please see our webpage on Financial support for visas and the immigration health surcharge.

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