Research Assistant in Engineering
| Posting date: | 11 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £29,179 to £33,483 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 25 March 2026 |
| Location: | Wrexham, Wales |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Wrexham University |
| Job type: | Temporary |
| Job reference: | 2425669-R2 |
Summary
Wrexham University is proud to be launching a new, state-of-the-art Centre for Enterprise, Engineering and Optics. This highly equipped facility includes dedicated laboratories for electronics, antenna design, Industry 4.0 technologies, and composites engineering.
Our composites team has a strong track record in using microwave heating for curing carbon fibre components, and we are now developing a novel approach using phased array microwave systems to better control distortion during curing. This innovative work is part of a multi-million-pound collaboration with the University of Southampton, where fibre optic sensors are being developed to measure strain in real time during the cure process.
As part of this exciting project, we are collaborating with our spin-out company specializing in the manufacture of ultra-precise optical components and systems using high-grade glass. Due to the weight and cost of these materials, we are actively investigating advanced material alternatives — with carbon fibre composites being a promising, though technically challenging, option due to distortion issues during manufacture.
We are seeking a Research Assistant to join this project, fixed term until 31/03/2027. You will focus on developing microwave techniques and associated electronics to precisely control the curing process, using AI-based algorithms to optimise outcomes.
What we're looking for:
- Experience of manufacturing composites from prepreg
- A background in electronics or a related engineering field
- Experience or interest in microwave systems, composite materials, or process control
- An analytical mindset, with a willingness to explore AI techniques for real-time control
- Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team
This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a cutting-edge research programme with real industrial applications.
Our composites team has a strong track record in using microwave heating for curing carbon fibre components, and we are now developing a novel approach using phased array microwave systems to better control distortion during curing. This innovative work is part of a multi-million-pound collaboration with the University of Southampton, where fibre optic sensors are being developed to measure strain in real time during the cure process.
As part of this exciting project, we are collaborating with our spin-out company specializing in the manufacture of ultra-precise optical components and systems using high-grade glass. Due to the weight and cost of these materials, we are actively investigating advanced material alternatives — with carbon fibre composites being a promising, though technically challenging, option due to distortion issues during manufacture.
We are seeking a Research Assistant to join this project, fixed term until 31/03/2027. You will focus on developing microwave techniques and associated electronics to precisely control the curing process, using AI-based algorithms to optimise outcomes.
What we're looking for:
- Experience of manufacturing composites from prepreg
- A background in electronics or a related engineering field
- Experience or interest in microwave systems, composite materials, or process control
- An analytical mindset, with a willingness to explore AI techniques for real-time control
- Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team
This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a cutting-edge research programme with real industrial applications.
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