Loughborough University
Research Assistant Custom Additive Manufacturing Hardware (Medical Applications)
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical, and Manufacturing Engineering
Full Time, Fixed Term until 31 January 2027, based on campus
We’re looking to recruit a driven Research Assistant in Custom Additive Manufacturing Hardware to join our multidisciplinary team at Loughborough University’s Wolfson School.
Our PERAMEDIC project brings together experts in material formulation, deposition methods, hardware development, inspection workflows, and clinical translation from across Europe. At Loughborough, you’ll be supporting the development and modification of additive manufacturing hardware that helps make patient-specific, multi-material tablets, and related medical structures a reality.
As a key player within our team, you’ll support our project to transform pharmaceutical healthcare by:
- Developing, modifying, and testing custom additive manufacturing hardware for medical and pharmaceutical manufacturing applications
- Integrating different extrusion and deposition toolheads, such as filament extruders, pellet extruders, and other tools, onto existing or modified 3D printer platforms
- Designing, prototyping, and manufacturing fixtures, brackets, adapters, and other hardware required to mount toolheads, sensors, or auxiliary devices onto additive manufacturing systems
- Supporting the configuration, modification, and troubleshooting of 3D printer control boards, machine electronics, and related hardware-control systems
- Characterising the precision and performance of additive manufacturing and multi-axis systems, including positional accuracy, repeatability, velocity limits, acceleration limits, and related motion or deposition metrics
- Working with colleagues developing direct toolpaths to ensure that hardware capabilities, limitations, and test results are understood and incorporated into the manufacturing workflow
You will take a role in:
- Modifying and testing existing 3D printer platforms and related motion/deposition hardware
- Supporting the assembly, setup, calibration, and troubleshooting of custom or modified additive manufacturing systems
- Producing practical fixture designs using CAD and manufacturing or sourcing parts through appropriate methods, including 3D printing, workshop fabrication, and machined components
- Supporting direct toolpath-based experimental trials, including tests involving intricate paths for medical/pharmaceutical structures and, where relevant, multi-axis systems
- Collecting, analysing, and documenting hardware performance, fixture performance, calibration procedures, toolpath execution, and manufacturing accuracy
- Liaising with colleagues working on toolpath design, inspection, materials, and medical/pharmaceutical manufacturing requirements
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Key Requirements:
- Experience of additive manufacturing hardware, mechatronics, machine control, robotics, automation, or a closely related engineering area
- Experience of modifying, configuring, building, or testing 3D printer hardware or comparable motion/deposition systems
- Experience of integrating, modifying, or testing additive manufacturing toolheads, such as filament extruders, pellet extruders, or other deposition tools
- Experience of designing, prototyping, and manufacturing fixtures, brackets, adapters, or other hardware modifications using CAD and practical manufacturing methods
- Experience of configuring, modifying, or troubleshooting hardware-control systems, such as 3D printer control boards, microcontrollers, motion controllers, or equivalent systems
- Ability to assemble, calibrate, troubleshoot, and characterise additive manufacturing or motion-control hardware, including precision, repeatability, velocity limits, acceleration limits, or related performance metrics
- Ability to understand how toolpath requirements affect hardware design, setup, calibration, and experimental testing
- Good communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to document methods and results clearly
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, Control Engineering, Electronic/Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a closely related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience
Why should you apply?
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
With a huge amount of variety in the role, there is an opportunity for you to develop and continually grow.
If this role sounds of interest, we’d love to hear from you.
Informal enquiries should be directed via email to a.gleadall@lboro.ac.uk
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 you feel may support you during the recruitment process. If there are any adjustments that you would like to discuss, please contact (Andy Gleadall).
For more information, refer to the Job Description and Person Specification.
Closing Date: 3 August 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
- Financial wellbeing – competitive pay, two excellent pension schemes, and everyday savings opportunities
- Support for you and your family – on-site nursery at our East Midlands campus, flexible and hybrid working options, and a range of family-friendly policies
- 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 achieving equality and valuing diversity in all aspects of employment and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills