We are looking for a Research Associate to join the Department of Mechanical Engineering to work on an exciting new ARIA-funded project dealing with emerging technologies of soft robotics. This new technology utilises flexible and compliant materials in its design to translate fundamental biological principles into new engineering rules, combining life-like components into structures that create robotic systems that perform much like natural systems. 

This ARIA-funded research project () aims to create a new analytical framework involving model- and learning-based approaches and their subsequent integration, opening new horizons in understanding the fundamental characteristics, dynamics, and internal physical interactions of soft robotic manipulators that we have created but are yet to fully understand their behaviour. The new knowledge generated and the research outcomes will lead to the creation and exploitation of next-generation intelligent and dexterous soft manipulators to allow innovation and growth to maximise their economic and societal benefits.

The Research Associate will be responsible for delivering high-quality research on topics, including:

• Develop model and learning based approaches for modelling soft robotic manipulators and systems
• Develop the analytical framework for modelling, understanding, and developing dexterous soft robotic manipulators.
• Framework integration and experimental validations.
• Collaboration with the co-designers in the ARIA group.

To help us understand how the soft manipulators that we build behave during motion, and develop effective analytical framework for modelling, predicting, controlling, and understanding these soft robotic systems

This role will suit you if you 

• Hold a PhD degree in a subject area of direct relevance to the project. 
• Have previous experience in one or more of the following: modelling, design, control or prototyping of robotic components and systems. 
• Have excellent analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills
• Are self-motivated and have excellent communication skills. 

You will be working with an interdisciplinary research team and collaborating with ARIA creators and partners. Whilst being responsible for planning and conducting research activities and are expected to take an active role in the laboratory. You should possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills to work effectively as part of a team and present your work to diverse audiences. 

Further Information

This role is offered on a full time (36.5 hours per week) fixed term basis until June 2028

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Min Pan (Professor, Mechanical Engineering) on mp351@bath.ac.uk

A lower grade offer may be made (Grade 6) with comparable reduction in responsibilities and amendment in job title to Research Assistant, if a suitable applicant cannot be found to fill the Grade 7 position. Applicants will need to be within six months of their course completion date and will be promoted to Research Associate once their PhD has been awarded.

We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students and encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.

We're very proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant. an accredited Disability Confident Leader; autism friendly university, committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff. 

What we can offer you:

We're continually expanding our benefits package to better support you and enhance your experience with us and the below is just an example of some of the many great benefits we offer:

• Free counselling services through Health Assured
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Staff discount at Team Bath gym
• Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
• Staff discount on language courses
• Generous employer contributory pension schemes
• Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
• A wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and more
• Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
• Local discounts and more
• A family-friendly workplace 
• An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
• Relocation allowance
• Visa reimbursement and Interest-Free Loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses

Find out more about our benefits and watch the video to hear from our staff about what makes the 葫芦影业 a great place to work as well as following us and .

 

Closing Date: 30 Nov 2025

Department: Education & Research

Salary: £38,784 to £46,049

The post requires you to support our student automotive race teams including both mechanical and electric powered vehicles and our electric motorcycle team, providing both technical and manufacturing support. In addition, you may be called upon to provide instruction for safe operation of conventional lathes and milling machines in our student workshop.

You will also provide technical advice, instruction and support to academic and research staff and students in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Your responsibilities will also include:

• manufacturing complex components from a variety of materials using 3 axis and 5 axis CNC machine tools with the assistance of CAD/CAM software
• design, manufacture, repair, development, construction, modification and commissioning of equipment, rigs and models
• the teaching and supervision of undergraduates in the safe use of machine and hand tools during timetabled periods

Our ideal candidate will have:

• substantial experience in CNC programming and machining, and conventional precision machining 
• experience in an engineering machine shop or toolroom environment
• experience in the safe operation and use of a variety of mechanical workshop machine tools together with design, fitting and assembly skills.
• a recognised toolroom / technician / mechanical engineering apprenticeship, possess a minimum of a City and Guilds qualification or equivalent

Knowledge and experience of Computer Aided Design (CAD) programming would be an advantage but training will be available if necessary to develop these skills.

Further information

This is an full-time, permanent position, working 36.5 hours per week.

For an informal discussion about the role please contact either: 

• Julian Sulley, Director of Technical Services, at js806@bath.ac.uk or 01225385202
• Dave Wood, Technical Manager, at ensdnw@bath.ac.uk or 01225384275
• Guy Brace, Technical Manager, at ensgwb@bath.ac.uk or 01225386858

What we can offer you

We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students, so we encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our commitment.

We are very proud to be an autism friendly university and are an accredited Disability Confident Leader; committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.

• Free counselling services through Health Assured
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Staff discount at Team Bath gym
• Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
• Staff discount on language courses
• Generous employer contributory pension schemes
• Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
• A wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and more
• Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
• Local discounts and more
• A family-friendly workplace 
• An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
• Relocation allowance
• Visa reimbursement and Interest-Free Loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses

We are committed to continually expanding our benefits to better support you and enhance your experience with us. Find out more about our benefits.

Find out from our staff what makes the 葫芦影业 a great place to work. Follow us and on Twitter for more information.

Closing Date: 09 Nov 2025

Department: Technical & Experimental

Salary: £30,505 to £36,924

We are looking for a Research Associate to play a key role in the design and development of digital hydraulic fluid power technologies and control systems. The role is funded by the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship, entitled "Digital Hydraulic Fluid Power Technologies for Decarbonising Off-road Vehicles", in collaboration with industrial partners. 

Hydraulic fluid power offers significant advantages, including high power density, compact size, lightweight design, fast responsiveness, and effective controllability. This project focuses on designing, developing, and prototyping digital hydraulic technologies and control systems to improve energy efficiency, reduce fuel consumption, and lower CO2 emissions in off-road vehicles. Additionally, it presents opportunities for interdisciplinary research on efficient actuation mechanisms.

You will be responsible for delivering high-quality research on the topic, including:

• Design and modelling of digital hydraulic fluid power technologies
• Prototyping, validating and evaluating digital hydraulic converters.
• Digital fluid power system integration onto an off-road vehicle and experimental validations.
• Life-cycle assessment of the digital hydraulic technology

This role will suit you if you 

• Hold a PhD degree in a subject area of direct relevance to the project.
• Have previous experience in one or more of the following: modelling, design, control or prototyping of fluid power components and systems.
• Have excellent analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills
• Are self-motivated and have excellent communication skills.

You will be responsible for planning and performing research activities and will be expected to take an active role in supporting PhD and undergraduate research students within the laboratory. You should possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills to work effectively as part of a team and present your work to a range of audiences. 

Further Information

As a member of Research Staff at the 葫芦影业, you will be encouraged to take up a minimum of 10 days professional development pro rata per year

This role is offered on a full time (36.5 hours per week) fixed term for 27 months basis.

For an informal discussion about this role please contact Professor Min Pan (mp351@bath.ac.uk)

A lower grade offer may be made (Grade 6) with comparable reduction in responsibilities and amendment in job title to Research Assistant, if a suitable applicant cannot be found to fill the Grade 7 position. Applicants will need to be within six months of their course completion date and will be promoted to Research Associate once their PhD has been awarded. 

We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students and encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.

We're very proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant. an accredited Disability Confident Leader; autism friendly university, committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff. 

What we can offer you:

We're continually expanding our benefits package to better support you and enhance your experience with us and the below is just an example of some of the many great benefits we offer:

• Free counselling services through Health Assured
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Staff discount at Team Bath gym
• Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
• Staff discount on language courses
• Generous employer contributory pension schemes
• Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
• A wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and more
• Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
• Local discounts and more
• A family-friendly workplace 
• An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
• Relocation allowance
• Visa reimbursement and Interest-Free Loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses

Find out more about our benefits and watch the video to hear from our staff about what makes the 葫芦影业 a great place to work as well as following us and .

 

Closing Date: 07 Nov 2025

Department: Education & Research

Salary: £38,784 to £46,049