Research Associate in Compliant Wing Fairing Manufacturing
This post is a Morphing Aerospace Structures focused Post-Doctoral research position at the Research Associate or Senior Research Associate level, with a duration of 5 months. This position specifically focused on the development of compliance based morphing wing fairing structures. In particular, the successful applicant will design, manufacture, and test 3D printed prototypes of deformable wing fairings using a combination of elastomeric and polymer materials. The wing fairings are being developed for application to future commercial aircraft wing concepts, building on a significant body of previous research work on compliance-based morphing structures at the University of Bristol led by Prof. Benjamin Woods.
What will you be doing?
This role will undertake design and manufacturing activities to develop prototypes of increasing sophistication that demonstrate the ability to manufacture a particular, existing, compliant morphing structural concept into the complex, fully three-dimensional shapes required for it to be used on a morphing fairing that covers a moving joint on an aircraft wing. This will entail extensive 3D printing with multi-material 3D printers, including the use of highly deformable elastomeric materials. Design iterations will be informed by various forms of experimental testing.
You should apply if
You have extensive experience of 3D printing complex shapes, ideally including the use of difficult to print elastomeric materials (e.g. TPU), a strong track record in the development and design of aerospace structures, experience with morphing structures, experimental testing skills, and a relevant degree.
Additional information
Contract type: Fixed term contract until 31/12/2026
Work pattern: Full time
Grade: I
School/Unit: Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering
This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on 26/05/2026
Shortlisting is due to take place on 27/05/2026
Interviews are expected to take place on 08/06/2026
For informal queries please contact: Prof. Benjamin Woods, ben.k.s.woods@bristol.ac.uk
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