Research Associate / Senior Research Associate (Precision Instrument design for Astronomy) (Fixed Term)

The Astrophysics Group at the Cavendish Laboratory has an on-going program designing, prototyping, and deploying state-of-the-art optical and near-infrared instrumentation for astronomers worldwide.

We are seeking a mechanical engineer/instrument scientist for precision instrument design at the Research Associate/Senior Research Associate level.  The successful candidate will join our existing multi-disciplinary team to provide mechanical and opto-mechanical design and construction expertise across our portfolio of projects. These include HARPS3, which will undertake an intensive search for Earth-like planets around nearby Sun-like stars, the Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer, an array of telescopes that will make images at angular resolutions 50 times better than the JWST, and ANDES, the high-resolution spectrograph for the European ELT. The aim of the role is to work on the design, construction, testing, and deployment of the mechanical, opto-mechanical, and vacuum assemblies for these projects which typically have micron- or sub-micron tolerances.

The successful candidate must hold a PhD (or have equivalent experience) in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline, although candidates who are about to or have recently submitted a doctoral thesis are encouraged to apply. Candidates must have a proven track record in the computer-aided design, analysis, and modelling of precision mechanical systems and in the fabrication, assembly, and testing of precision hardware.

Preference will be given to candidates with experience in one or more relevant areas including (a) design, alignment, and testing of opto-mechanical assemblies; (b) cryogenic instrument prototyping, testing, and commissioning; (c) design and assembly of vacuum/pumping systems for air- and LN2-cooled enclosures; (d) liaison with vendors of mechanical/opto-mechanical hardware; and (e) management of large technical contracts. Candidates' experience in these areas should be demonstrated by publications in journals or proceedings of conferences sponsored by professional bodies. A solid understanding of CAD and FEA modelling is required.

The candidate will also have the ability to work within multi-disciplinary teams and be a good coordinator, managing their time across projects, and communicating results clearly verbally and in writing.

The post holder will be located at the Department of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK.

You will be offered one of the following two salary grades: Research Associate: £34,308 to £42,155, Senior Research Associate: £43,414 to £54,949; depending on the skills and experience you are able to bring to the role. 

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 40 months in the first instance. There is a possibility of extension of funding beyond this. Applicants are encouraged to have an informal conversation with Professor Chris Haniff.

Please ensure that you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a covering letter in the upload section of the online application. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application. Please submit your application by midnight on the closing date.

If you have any questions about this vacancy please contact Professor Chris Haniff (cah1008@cam.ac.uk). If you have any questions about the application process, please contact mott.hub@phy.cam.ac.uk.

Please quote reference KA36118 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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