Research Associate / Senior Research Associate in Composites Manufacturing and Testing

The role

We are seeking a talented postdoctoral researcher to work on an exciting €7M Horizon Europe project involving a large consortium, offering a highly collaborative international research environment. The project aims to develop a large-scale automated material layup process in collaboration with two universities and multiple international partners across Europe, including a renowned material supplier, automation companies, system integrators, and a high-profile RTO.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the development and optimisation of a novel composite material cutting process suitable for high-volume automated or semi-automated material layup. The role focuses on advancing manufacturing efficiency, quality, and process innovation, as well as improving structural performance through experimental validation, finite element analysis to reveal the detailed failure mechanisms of tested components, and the establishment of robust design guidelines.

The work will be conducted in close collaboration with industrial partners to support real-world applications. The post holder will develop the manufacturing process with consideration of industrial operating conditions to maximise its application potential when delivering a technology demonstrator. It is important to establish robust scientific evidence demonstrating the effectiveness and performance of the developed process, including its benefit to the structural performance of the manufactured part.

What will you be doing?

• Developing a lab-scale prototype to validate the feasibility of the novel manufacturing process for dry fibre materials
• Investigating and optimising processing parameters to enhance production rate, accuracy and quality
• Evaluating the effectiveness of improved manufacturing approaches on structural performance and quality consistency
• Conducting experimental validation through coupon-level and sub-scale component testing
• Performing finite element analysis to investigate detailed failure mechanisms of tested components and support the development of design guidelines
• Dissemination of results via conferences and industrial partner interaction
• Technology transfer and support to industrial users of methods developed

You should apply if

You have:

• Strong experience in composites manufacturing, including familiarity with automated composite manufacturing processes
• Knowledge of dry fibre materials for out-of-autoclave curing
• Hands-on experience in experimental design, test rig development, and structural design
• Experience in structural testing of composites components, with the ability to assess and interpret failure mechanisms
• Familiarity with non-destructive evaluation of composites
• Ability to work independently and deliver tasks with minimal supervision

Additionally candidates for a Grade J position would be expected to have:

• Proficiency in failure analysis using finite element analysis.
• Demonstrated experience in scaling laboratory processes to industrial applications
• Experience in non-destructive evaluation techniques for composites

Desirable

• Availability to take up the post at short notice
• Willing to travel, including internationally, to attend project meetings
• Experience in industrial or collaborative research projects

Additional information

To find out more about what it's like to work in the Faculty of Engineering, and how the Faculty supports people to achieve their potential, please see our staff blog:

https://engineering.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/category/engineering-includes-me/

Contract type: Open ended with fixed funding for 2 years

School/Unit: Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on 18/05/2026

Shortlisting will take place on 25/05/2026

Interviews are expected to take place on 08/06/2026

For informal queries please contact: Dr ByungChul (Eric) Kim, b.c.eric.kim@bristol.ac.uk

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