AM4Space Research Scientist/Engineer

Science and Technology Facilities Council

Salary: £31,931 to £34,709 per annum (dependent on skills and experience).
Hours: Full time.
Contract Type: Fixed Term (36 months) - starting on or before 1st February 2022.
Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, UK Astronomy Technology Centre, Edinburgh

We have an exciting opportunity to join a multidisciplinary team at STFC’s UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UK ATC) in Edinburgh. The UK ATC is the national centre of expertise for the design and production of state-of-the-art astronomical instrumentation and systems. It provides a friendly and flexible environment, on a beautiful site combining a historic observatory with modern state-of-the-art facilities.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and creative Research Scientist/Engineer to play a key role in the Future Leaders Fellowship project ‘Printing the future of space telescopes’ (AM4Space), led by Dr C. Atkins. The AM4Space motivation is to demonstrate the enhanced design freedom offered by additive manufacturing (AM; 3D printing), to build lightweight multifunctional mirror components for space telescopes that meet the strict launch and operational environments (e.g. launch-weight restrictions and burn-up on re-entry). The broader societal benefits of this approach include reduced waste and cost, increased access to manufacturing technologies (e.g. within pre-university education and lower income communities), and designing for function as opposed to conventional manufacture (e.g. machining).

The long-term goal is to design and build an open-access nanosat technology demonstrator for Earth observation that highlights the design benefits of additive manufacture and its suitability for space flight hardware. To achieve this goal, the AM4Space Research Scientist/Engineer will join the project at the first stage, which will focus on developing a strategy for the adoption of additive manufacture to create lightweight, high quality, space qualified mirror components.

About the role:

The anticipated responsibilities of the AM4Space Research Scientist/Engineer include:

• Design and evaluation of novel lightweight mirror structures using optimisation techniques (topology and generative), lattice generation and biomimicry.
• Measurement and data analysis of AM substrate materials to investigate the optimum alloys and print parameters for mirror fabrication.
• Measurement, data analysis and evaluation of prototype AM mirrors.
• Investigations of non-metallic AM substrates for use in mirror fabrication.
• Collaborating with internal colleagues at the different STFC national laboratories (Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and Daresbury Laboratory) and external AM4Space project partners (academic and industrial) and AM suppliers.
• Supervision or support of the AM4Space project students: summer placements (12 weeks) and industry placements (1 year).
• Internal and external dissemination of project results via: regular meetings, project reports, presentations, conference/workshop attendance, conference proceedings papers and peer-review journal articles.

An important objective is to promote the benefit of AM for applications where it is appropriate (e.g. lightweight structures) and to increase AM uptake within the scientific community. To achieve this, the project is committed to open access in the dissemination of its research methods and results.
Due to the collaborative nature of this role and the need to disseminate research outputs, national and international travel is anticipated in the future.

The UK ATC is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We are invested in creating an environment that is welcoming and supportive of all, to help us achieve the highest possible standards in our work and organisation together. In this regard, we encourage applications from under-represented groups.

Benefits

As part of UK Research and Innovation, STFC offers a benefits package that includes 30 days annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege days, Christmas shut down, an excellent defined-benefit pension scheme, and flexible working options that support a good work-life balance.

Training and development of AM4space team members is central to the success of the project. Soft skills and technical training will be provided on a continual basis to ensure that all team members have the correct skills and expertise to enhance the project and to flourish in their future careers.

About You:

You will hold a PhD in a relevant field at the time of appointment, or have equivalent industry experience in engineering or physical sciences and meet the essential criteria.

You will be research orientated and numerically literate, with experience in data analysis techniques and the comparison of theoretical and experimental datasets. You will have experience in computer-aided design (CAD) and finite element analysis (FEA), and in bespoke analysis of FEA data. You should be proficient in writing technical reports and presenting technical information to a broad range of stakeholders (team members, colleagues, academic & non-academic audiences and industry).

In your application cover letter, please highlight how you meet the selection criteria, your motivation for the role and your relevant experience in at least one of the following key areas: astronomical instrumentation, space science, or additive manufacture. Due to the multidisciplinary nature of AM4Space, you are not expected to have an understanding of all the required sub-disciplines; however, direct experience in at least one of the following is preferred: optics or optical design/fabrication, dimensional metrology, additive manufacture, or space qualification. Experience in writing research papers and an interest in public engagement is desired.

Person specification

The below critieria will be assess at Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).

Essential criteria

• PhD in a relevant field, or equivalent experience in industry. (S)
• Experience with computer aided design (CAD) and finite element analysis (e.g. ANSYS, COMSOL Multiphysics etc.). (S)
• Numerically literate and research motivated, demonstrated by an ability to implement data analysis techniques upon a broad range of datasets. (S&I)
• Experience in a programming language, such as Matlab or Python. (S)
• Experience in presenting technical material at conferences/meetings and accomplished at writing technical reports for a broad range of stakeholders. (S&I)
• Experience/Enthusiasm in two or more of the following: astronomy, astronomical instrumentation, space science, additive manufacture, design optimisation, or optical components. (S&I)

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge/experience in optical fabrication and/or optical design. (S&I)
• Experience in the analysis/interpretation of dimensional metrology or FEA data. (S)
• Experience using AM specific software, such as NetFabb, nTopology, or similar. (S)
• Hands-on experience in with AM and the implementation of AM design rules. (S&I)
• Experience of writing articles for peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings. (S)
• Experience in space qualification of flight hardware and/or an understanding of designing for a space environment. (S&I)
• Interest in public engagement. (S)

Additional Information

In your application cover letter, please highlight how you meet the selection criteria, your motivation for the role and your relevant experience in at least one of the following key areas: astronomical instrumentation, space science, or additive manufacture. Due to the multidisciplinary nature of AM4Space, you are not expected to have an understanding of all the required sub-disciplines; however, direct experience in at least one of the following is preferred: optics or optical design/fabrication, dimensional metrology, additive manufacture, or space qualification. Experience in writing research papers and an interest in public engagement is desired.