Research Associate/Fellow in Engineered Silk Manufacturing and Optical Fibre Technologies

Join the HOLLOW SILK project, an ambitious research project funded by the Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA) through its Universal Fabricators programme. HOLLOW SILK aims to develop a novel manufacturing platform based on engineered silk, for the production of microstructured optical fibres. By combining expertise in biomaterials, fibre manufacturing, chemistry, photonics and engineering, the project will establish innovative routes to advanced materials and structures that are difficult, or even impossible, to achieve using conventional manufacturing technologies.

We are recruiting two Postdoctoral Researchers to join the project for up to 36 months. The two positions will play complementary roles within the team. We anticipate appointing at least one Research Associate, and are particularly keen for the other appointment to be made at Research Fellow level, with responsibility for providing technical leadership across the programme. The Technical Lead will help to drive rapid innovation in the programme, coordinate activities between the University of Bath and our international partners and contribute to the strategic direction and delivery of the project, as well as supporting funding bids.

Appointment will be made at Grade 7 (Research Associate) or Grade 8 (Research Fellow), depending on qualifications, experience and track record.

The team and environment

Based within the Centre for Photonics at the University of Bath, you will work alongside Professor William Wadsworth, Dr Rox Middleton and Dr Soraya Caixeiro, and collaborate with leading international partners including Professor Fiorenzo Omenetto and Dr Giulia Guidetti (Silklab, Tufts University) and Dr David Breslauer (USA). Alongside the two University of Bath postdoctoral researchers, the project includes three further postdoctoral researchers based at Tufts University, a research technician at the University of Bath, and a programme administrator, providing significant opportunities for collaboration, exchange of expertise and international engagement.

In this role you will:

- Develop novel silk-based materials and fabrication processes for advanced fibre technologies.
- Plan and deliver experimental research, including materials characterisation and data analysis.
- Contribute to the optimisation of material performance and manufacturing approaches.
- Publish high-quality research and present findings at conferences and project meetings.
- Work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team spanning the UK and USA.

About you

We are looking for creative, ambitious researchers who are excited by tackling challenging problems, developing new technologies and working across disciplinary boundaries. You should hold, or be close to completing, a PhD in Materials Science, Biomaterials, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics or a closely related discipline.

For applicants appointable at Grade 8, additional responsibilities will include providing technical leadership, coordinating research activities across partner institutions, supporting project delivery as well as supporting funding bids, and helping to shape the scientific direction of the programme.

As a member of Research Staff at the University of Bath, you will be encouraged to take up a minimum of 10 days professional development pro rata per year. Researchers will also have access to relevant entrepreneurship and professional development opportunities.

What we can offer you

- Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days
- Generous employer contributory pension schemes
- Cycle to work scheme
- Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
- Staff discount at Team Bath gym
- Staff benefits include discounted postgraduate tuition and language courses, alongside a wide range of personal and professional development opportunities such as apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning, and more
- Local discounts, including free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
- A family-friendly workplace
- Relocation allowance
- Visa reimbursement and interest-free loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses
- Employee assistance services through Health Assured, including access to the Wisdom app
- Staff support groups and networks, a network of Staff Wellbeing Champions, and a suite of tools and resources to support wellbeing