Materials Scientist - Manufacturing (KTP Associate)

Faculty of Environmental Science and Economy

This new full-time position has a provisional start date of September 2026 and will be available on a fixed-term contract for 2 years. 

The role:

An exciting opportunity has become available to work on a 2-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between the Centre for Additive Layer Manufacturing (CALM) at the University of Exeter and Q5D Technologies Ltd. The KTP will develop conductive ink technology and processes to enable the automated manufacture of large area complex 3D printed electronics with Q5D Technologies Ltd.

The successful candidate will be employed by the University of Exeter and will spend the majority of their time working at Q5D Technologies Ltd in Portishead, Bristol, with visits to the University of Exeter and other group companies throughout the UK as and when required by the project.  This is a full-time role.

Company Information:

Founded in 2018, Q5D is a fast-growing company that is developing robotic machinery to add electrical function to products in aerospace, automotive, defence and many other industries, aiming to reduce expense, errors and the fragility of supply chains.

Q5D have developed a range of 5 axis robotic machines which are primarily used to deposit wires onto 3D shapes. We have also developed a 100W laser machine which can be used to pattern shapes into 3D surfaces, such as conductive inks and pastes, thereby forming complex conductive patterns like 3D printed circuit boards and antennas. We are now looking for a material scientist to help us develop our process of creating conductive surfaces on 3D shapes.

More information about Q5D Technologies Ltd can be found at: https://q5d.com/

Qualification / skills we require:

• A first degree in Materials Science or Chemistry, or a closely related field.
• Understanding of conductive inks and their characteristics
• Proven applied materials science skills in academic or industrial setting
• Excellent communication skills with ability to communicate complex and conceptual ideas to a range of people.
• Prior use of characterisation techniques such as SEM, EDAX, AFM and nano and micro mechanical/adhesion techniques.
• Experience managing or supporting project-based work.
• Strong analysis and problem-solving skills
• Pro-active, ‘can do’ mindset
• Ability to collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team environment.

Desirable (not essential) skills:

• Practical skills in ink jet printing and sintering.
• Understanding of chemical plating (electroless & electro), and etch resists
• Understanding of adhesives (formulation and material interaction)
• Familiarity with range of polymer and ceramic materials
• Undertaken health and safety risk assessments
• Capacity to become a technical project manager

University of Exeter

The University of Exeter is an equal opportunity employer. We are officially recognised as a Disability Confident employer and an Athena Swan accredited institution. Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented in the workforce. 

Before submitting an application, you may wish to discuss the post further by contacting

Professor Oana Ghita – o.ghita@exeter.ac.uk at University of Exeter or

Ben Monteith – ben.monteith@q5d.com at Q5D.  

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