Research Associate or Research Assistant in Circular Robotic Manufacturing

Package: Specialist and Supporting Academic Research from £29,588 per annum. Subject to annual pay award.

Job description

Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering  

Full Time, Fixed Term until 31 January 2028 

This role is not suitable for remote working and is office based only as it is essential that the post holder has the ability and willingness to travel to national and international partners and undertake visits lasting 1-3 weeks to project partners.  

Please note: this role will be recruited to either a Post Doctoral Research Associate (grade 6) or Research Assistant (grade 5) depending on the pool of applicants we receive. 

Join us and be part of a vibrant community at Loughborough University.  

About the University 

Universities are one of this country’s greatest assets. We’re educators, employers, innovators and pioneers. We shape culture and society. 

At Loughborough, we strive for better, think differently, challenge convention and take action. We are passionate about finding solutions to the major problems faced by society and the planet, and we create opportunities for those with the drive, the ambition, and the determination to apply themselves in the pursuit of better. 

Here’s more about the role and what we’re looking for: 

We are looking for a talented and enthusiastic Graduate Research Assistant or Post-Doctoral Research Associate with strong interest in Circular Economy, Robotics, AI and vision systems, sustainability, remanufacturing and recycling to work on an exciting project which aims to develop a whole system circular approach to the design, use and end-of-life management of industrial robots.

The postholder will be based at the Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University campus and will lead work on developing a circular economy framework for disassembly, refurbishment, remanufacturing or material recycling of end-of-life industrial robots, supported by AI-based life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC) models.

This appointment is fixed term until the current project end date of 31 January 2028. You will have a BSc, MSc or PhD degree or equivalent in mechanical, manufacturing, electronic, robotic control engineering or any relevant discipline. You will have regular interaction and collaborate closely with the project’s team of researchers together with an integrated academic and industrial project team to develop new learning and to disseminate the project findings.

For more information about the Research Assistant (grade 5) please see the Job Description and Person Specification.

For more information about the Post Doctoral Research Associate (grade 6) please see the Job Description and Person Specification.

Why should you Apply?

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

If this sounds like the right place, team and role for you please do get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.

Informal enquiries should be directed to Professor Shahin Rahimifard (S.Rahimifard@lboro.ac.uk)

Application Process

For further support with your application, please refer to our application guidance, which includes some top tips to help you when completing your application

We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process. If there are additional adjustments, you’d like to request please contact Professor Shahin Rahimifard. We also offer reasonable adjustments on the job.

Closing Date: 20 April 2026

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Our Benefits

At Loughborough, our benefits are designed to support your life inside and outside of work, helping you to thrive and feel valued as part of our community.  Examples of our benefits include:

Time off - generous holiday allowance, including 14 university closure days and bank holidays, with the option to buy extra through our holiday purchase scheme.

Where you work - access to a range of fantastic facilities with plenty of green space across our 523-acre East Midlands campus, plus an exciting community at our London campus on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

Financial Wellbeing - competitive pay, two excellent pension schemes, and everyday savings opportunities.

Support for you and those close to you - through our range of life event leave policies as well as access to an on-site nursery at our East Midlands campus, flexible and hybrid working options.

Health and Wellbeing - discounted gym memberships and access to world-class sporting facilities, including physiotherapy, plus healthcare offers such as eyesight testing and wellbeing support.

Travel and sustainability - access to our electric vehicle and cycle-to-work schemes, as well as a variety of travel offers to support sustainable commuting.  

Discover more about the full range of rewards and benefits at Loughborough University.