Research Associate in Additive Manufacturing Pharmaceuticals

Full Time, Fixed Term for 19 months

We're looking to recruit a driven Research Associate in Additive Manufacturing to join our multidisciplinary team at Loughborough University’s Wolfson School.

Our PERAMEDIC project brings together experts in material formulation, deposition methods, hardware development and clinical translation from across Europe. At Loughborough you’ll be developing the toolpaths, hardware and digital workflows that make patient-specific, multi-material tablets a reality.

As a key player within our team, you’ll support our project to transform pharmaceutical healthcare by:

• Designing and optimizing microscale toolpaths (using our FullControl software) to achieve intricate geometries and tailored drug-release profiles
• Characterising the performance of MEAM-produced structures—mechanical, electrical, thermal and geometric—to validate and refine your designs
• Studying how individual toolpath lines and patterns influence part performance, and iterating designs accordingly
• Developing and integrating advanced inspection workflows (in-process sensors, in-situ microscopy) for real-time quality control

You will take a lead role in:

• Day-to-day development and extension of our open-source FullControl CAD/CAM platform, using Git for collaborative software and data-processing pipelines
• Programming in Python—and leveraging AI/LLMs—to automate toolpath generation, code editing and data analysis
• Hands-on modification or construction of MEAM hardware (printheads, motion systems) to handle challenging materials like composites and hydrogels
• Implementing multi-material or multi-process sequences (e.g. printing + inspection loops) and embedding optimisation routines into the workflow
• Travelling to partner meetings across Europe to align on materials, methods and clinical requirements

Key Requirements:

• Proven track record in designing CAD/CAM workflows or toolpaths for extrusion-based additive manufacturing
• Hands-on experience characterising performance of printed parts (mechanical, thermal, electrical or geometric testing)
• Programming skills, ideally in python; experience with Git and comfortable using AI/LLMs for code support
• Experience with challenging feedstocks (e.g. composites, hydrogels) and/or multi-material MEAM processes
• Demonstrable ability to modify or build custom hardware or motion control systems
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with willingness to travel within Europe
• PhD (or near completion) in a relevant engineering or materials discipline, or equivalent industrial experience

Why should you apply?

With a huge amount of variety in the role, there is an opportunity for you to develop and continually grow.

If this role sounds of interest, we’d love to hear from you.

Informal enquiries should be directed to Andy Gleadall via email to a.gleadall@lboro.ac.uk 

For more information refer to the Job Description and Person Specification.

Closing Date: Monday 19 June 2025

Our Benefits

• Generous annual leave allowance up to 44 days (inclusive of Bank Holidays & University closure days)
• Competitive pension schemes
• A range of childcare support initiatives and benefits including childcare vouchers; on-site university nursery (with salary sacrifice scheme); and holiday play schemes.
• We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies.
• BUPA Cash Plan (100 scheme)
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Season ticker loan scheme
• On campus parking with charging points for electric vehicles
• Fantastic range of sports facilities and preferential membership packages available

Loughborough University is committed to allowing its employees to work dynamically with a combination of working on campus and remotely, where possible

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