School of Aerospace Transport and Manufacturing
Manufacturing Materials and Design/Welding and Additive Manufacturing Centre
Research Fellow in Metal Additive Manufacturing
Fixed Term Contract 12 months
Full time starting salary is normally in the range of £37,897
Location: Cranfield, Bedfordshire
About the Role
This is a one year research‑focused position, with the potential for extension, entails advancing the state‑of‑the‑art in Directed Energy Deposition Additive Manufacturing (DEDAM), with a primary emphasis on the development of multi‑material systems and high‑performance metallic structures. You will spearhead experimental campaigns to evaluate process stability and material integrity, pioneering novel material combinations such as metal‑metal composites and metal‑composite joining techniques. By collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to push the boundaries of large‑scale additive manufacturing, you will integrate process digitalisation with rigorous experimental design. Key responsibilities involve the manufacture of high‑quality specimens for characterisation by research partners and the systematic analysis of experimental data to establish fundamental correlations between process parameters, microstructures, and mechanical properties. Ultimately, this work aims to refine DEDAM processes to ensure that fabricated components are meticulously optimised for specific mechanical load scenarios, with a particular interest in candidates capable of implementing advanced monitoring and automation frameworks to enhance system integration and data‑driven insights.
About You
You will hold a PhD (or be close to completion) in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field. You must have demonstrable relevant experience and achievements in process development and material characterisation. You will also possess proven knowledge of monitoring and control system development within the metal AM process. In addition, you will have a developing track record of publishing in high‑quality journals, along with excellent communication, planning, and organisational skills, and a proven ability for problem‑solving. You will also require Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS).
Closing date for receipt of applications: 31 May 2026
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