School/Department School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing
Based at Cranfield Campus, Cranfield, Bedfordshire
Hours of work 37 hours per week, normally worked Monday to Friday. Flexible working will be considered.
Contract type Permanent
Salary Full time starting salary is normally £24,739 to £28,338 per annum
Apply by 17/06/2021

Role Description

Cranfield University’s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships is creating leaders in technology and management globally. Learn more about Cranfield and our unique impact here.

We welcome applications for this exciting Technical Officer post from those with relevant technical and engineering qualifications, along with experience with 3D printers, the operation of tween screw extruders, CAD software, solid works design skills, and basic knowledge of composite materials.

About Manufacturing

Cranfield Manufacturing (which includes major activities in Materials) is following the ambitious strategy of developing a roadmap for a Sustainable Manufacturing Sector for 2050 by applying fundamental science and thought leadership via conceiving and maturing the concepts of Smart, Clean and Green manufacturing solutions agnostically across all sectors and through all tiers of the supply chain with SMEs as well as OEMs. This is to support the national aspiration of Net Zero UK by 2050. We offer world-class and niche post-graduate level research, education, training and consultancy. We are unique in our multi-disciplinary approach by bringing together design, materials’ technology and management expertise. We link fundamental materials research with manufacturing to develop novel technologies and improve the science base of the manufacturing research. Our capabilities are unique, with a focus on simulation and modelling, and sustainability.  They also include work in composite manufacture, metallic glasses, nano-materials (graphene, coatings and sensors), low energy casting, thermal barrier coatings and Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM).

About the Role

This role is based in the Enhanced Composites & Structures Centre, which with its advanced design and manufacturing capability, is an established partner to manufacturers and the members of their supply chains through short courses, consultancy and research. The Centre investigates and develops materials and processing technology for lightweight and efficient structures and combines an expertise in low-cost manufacturing with modelling, simulation and structural health monitoring technologies.  This key role is part of a Centre that is world leading in composites design and manufacturing. The work in this post will involve design of laboratory research equipment, assembly of laboratory equipment, operation of our cutting-edge rigs, operation of graphene spraying rig, communication and support of senior academics in the Centre, training MSc research students, supporting the operation of the Centre’s brand new thermo mechanical suite and procurement of consumables for the Centre.

As part of our commitment to support and develop Technical staff across the University, we have now also become a founding signatory of the Science Council's Technician Commitment. This is a sector wide, collaborative initiative led by the Science Council and supported by the 'Technicians Make It Happen' campaign, to ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians working in higher education and research.

About You

In this key role, you will be expected to demonstrate excellent organisational and planning skills to help co-ordinate research activities within the laboratory and to liaise with researchers effectively. It is required that you have excellent communication skills to liaise with students and researchers undertaking the research and to communicate the outputs of experiments to colleagues who are responsible for the research activity. It will be expected that you will participate in project meetings where the results are formally presented and discussed and help to communicate effectively with industrial customers on an informal basis. There will be regular interaction with academic colleagues at all levels in order to meet project requirements and also the need to communicate effectively with suppliers to ensure that the equipment and materials required for the research are delivered in a timely and cost-effective fashion.  In addition to the essential mechanical and technical skills required, also desirable is knowledge of robot programming and control systems, CNC programming, high pressure gas testing and setup, preparing and monitoring additive manufacture processes, and operating TA instruments.  In return, you will be at the forefront of world leading research and education, joining a supportive team and working environment.

Our Values

Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out more here. We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential.

Diversity and Inclusion

Our equal opportunities and diversity monitoring has shown that and minority ethnic groups are currently underrepresented within the university and so we actively encourage applications from eligible candidates from these groups.

To further demonstrate our commitment to progressing gender diversity in STEM, we are members of WES & Working Families, and sponsors of International Women in Engineering Day.

Flexible Working

We actively consider flexible working options such as part-time, compressed or flexible hours and/or an element of homeworking, and commit to exploring the possibilities for each role. Find out more here.

How to apply

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Professor Krzysztof Koziol, Professor of Composites Engineering and Head of Enhanced Composites and Structures Centre, on (T) +44 (0)7739580339 or (E); k.koziol@cranfield.ac.uk