The University is dedicated to supporting an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment - to create better futures, together. The diverse backgrounds, characteristics and opinions within our community are our great strength and are key to our pursuit of delivering educational excellence, enterprise, research and professional services. We welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds and minoritized groups as they are currently under-represented within our community.
We recognise the value of a fulfilling and balanced work and personal life which promotes wellbeing. We seek to support colleagues in achieving this balance and have family-friendly policies, flexible working arrangements and many roles can be suitable for dynamic working arrangement. This includes considering applications to work on a part-time, flexible and job share basis wherever possible.
We are proud to be a Real Living Wage Employer—so much so that we go beyond the standard, providing additional supplementary payments at specific pay points to further support our employees' financial wellbeing. Further information about the Loughborough Real Living Wage Supplement can be found on our HR webpage.
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We are seeking a highly motivated researcher to join the Advanced Materials Processing Laboratory (AMPLab) within the Department of Materials at Loughborough University as a Research Associate. The project is funded by Aerospace Technology Institute/Innovate-UK and investigates laser metal additive manufacturing, aiming to establish process-structure-property relationships to support the development of high-performance components.
Join us and be part of a vibrant community at Loughborough University.
Here’s more about the role and what we’re looking for:
About the role:
This is an 18 month (minimum) fixed-term Research Associate position focused on metal additive manufacturing. The research aims to understand the relationships between processing parameters, microstructural evolution and material performance to deliver high-performance 3D printed components. The role will involve metal powder characterisation, alloy manufacturing, microstructural investigation, and mechanical property evaluation of additively manufactured alloys, alongside analysis and interpretation of experimental results and dissemination of the research outcomes.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
The successful candidate will undertake the research programme in accordance with the project objectives. Key responsibilities will include:
About the University
Universities are one of this country’s greatest assets. We’re educators, employers, innovators and pioneers. We shape culture and society.
At Loughborough, we strive for better, think differently, challenge convention and take action. We are passionate about finding solutions to the major problems faced by society and the planet, and we create opportunities for those with the drive, the ambition, and the determination to apply themselves in the pursuit of better.
About the Department
The Department of Materials is part of the School of Aeronautical, Automotive, Chemical and Materials Engineering (AACME) at Loughborough University and provides a multidisciplinary research environment spanning a broad range of materials science and engineering activities. The Department is supported by extensive, state-of-the-art facilities for materials processing, testing and characterisation, enabling high-quality experimental research across its research groups. The Department also benefits from the Loughborough Materials Characterisation Centre (LMCC), a central facility providing advanced materials characterisation and microscopy capabilities. These include X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and other complementary techniques, providing researchers with access to comprehensive facilities for investigating material composition, microstructure and properties.
About You
An ideal candidate should have some or all the following skills:
Qualifications and Experience
Applicants should be educated to an appropriate technical level (minimum a PhD degree in material science or metallurgy, mechanical engineering or similar discipline), with significant experience in Titanium alloys, materials characterisation, metallography and microstructural characterisation.
Why should you Apply?
With huge amount of variety in the role, there is an opportunity for you to develop and continually grow.
If this sounds like the right place, team and role for you please do get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.
Informal enquiries should be directed to Prof. Moataz Attallah, via email to M.M.Attallah@lboro.ac.uk.
For more information refer to the Job Description and Person Specification.
Application Process
For further support with your application, please refer to our application guidance, which includes some top tips to help you when completing your application.
We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process. If there are additional adjustments, you’d like to request please contact Sarah Hawker – s.a.hawker@lboro.ac.uk. We also offer reasonable adjustments on the job.
Closing Date: 18th October 2026
Our Benefits
At Loughborough, our benefits are designed to support your life inside and outside of work, helping you to thrive and feel valued as part of our community. Examples of our benefits include:
Time off - generous holiday allowance, including 14 university closure days and bank holidays, with the option to buy extra through our holiday purchase scheme.
Where you work- access to a range of fantastic facilities with plenty of green space across our 523-acre East Midlands campus, plus an exciting community at our London campus on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Financial Wellbeing - competitive pay, two excellent pension schemes, and everyday savings opportunities.
Support for you and those close to you - through our range of life event leave policies as well as access to an on-site nursery at our East Midlands campus, flexible and hybrid working options.
Health and Wellbeing - discounted gym memberships and access to world-class sporting facilities, including physiotherapy, plus healthcare offers such as eyesight testing and wellbeing support.
Travel and sustainability - access to our electric vehicle and cycle-to-work schemes, as well as a variety of travel offers to support sustainable commuting.
Discover more about the full range of rewards and benefits at Loughborough University.
Loughborough University is committed to allowing its employees to work dynamically with a combination of working on campus and remotely, where possible.