The Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMMIC) is providing a supercluster of business-university innovation, through a key focus on advanced materials, additive manufacturing and sustainable development, including surface engineering, metamaterials, AI and materials for ‘green' energy. We will address Greater Manchester's need for rapid development and rollout of sustainable solutions for a wide range of applications through providing a one port of call for innovation-ready businesses to access technological expertise and capacity building to embed and exploit these technologies for long-term growth. AMMIC will contribute to net zero, develop industry digital skills, improve efficiencies, and create increased international competitiveness in GM.

AMMIC brings together world leading research facilities and expertise to stimulate new investment in research and development (R&D) to address regional and national materials and manufacturing challenges. The AMMIC team will be undertaking a series of projects with industrial collaborators in the areas of:

• materials synthesis (e.g. PVD techniques, Metamaterials, etc.);
• digitalisation of processes through real-time data acquisition and analytics;
• component fabrication (additive manufacturing);
• characterisation (e.g. SEM, EDX, XRD, XPS, Raman spectroscopy, nanoindentation, AFM, etc.);
• and testing, e.g. wear testing, corrosion testing, performance and durability testing.

We are inviting ambitious and talented individuals with a background in materials science/engineering/physics, and specifically PVD surface engineering to apply to join our multidisciplinary research team. The position is available from 1st August 2026 to 30th September 2028. The successful candidate will work within the Surface Engineering Laboratory at Manchester Metropolitan University. There will also be opportunities to work at our academic and industrial partners' facilities. The Surface Engineering Lab is equipped with state-of-the-art thin film deposition systems (magnetron sputtering), ranging from lab-scale to pilot production scale. We undertake the development of new functional films, characterisation of film properties and the optimisation of deposition processes. The Surface Engineering lab is co-located with the Manchester Fuel Cell Innovation Centre. MFCIC is home to electrochemists, materials scientists and engineers who use state-of-the-art electrochemical techniques to investigate materials and diagnostic tools for energy conversion and storage technologies.

Grade 9 Research Fellow

The Research Fellow will undertake research that accelerates innovation for our industrial partners. Specifically, they will produce, characterise and test materials and components and measure the performance and durability of materials and components relevant to our collaborators. They will have proficiency in the application of relevant equipment, software and techniques such as component and material fabrication via PVD techniques (must include magnetron sputtering techniques), materials characterisation (e.g. SEM, EDX, XRD, XPS, Raman spectroscopy, AFM, etc.), tribological testing, corrosion testing, and assessment of performance and durability data.

Ideal Candidates:

Our ideal candidates will already hold a PhD in materials science, materials engineering or related discipline. They will have experience of industrial working practices in the advanced materials sector, either through collaborative research projects or direct employment. Expertise in physical vapour deposition techniques is required, specifically magnetron sputtering. You should have the ability to plan and prioritise research, identify research objectives, work collaboratively with project partners from academia and industry to deliver project outcomes. You should have the ability to present results and findings, in writing and orally, to diverse audiences. Candidates should be team-oriented researchers who are highly motivated and excited by materials and technology developments in the advanced materials and surface engineering field.

Please read the full job description and person specification for all essential and desirable selection criteria for these posts.

To apply to a specific position, please upload a CV and cover letter describing why you are applying to this position. Your cover letter should also include a supporting statement explaining how you meet the “skills and attributes” listed above, in particular your experience of interacting with commercial partners and your expertise in surface engineering. If you'd like to find out more, please get in touch for an informal conversation with Peter Kelly - P.Kelly@mmu.ac.uk

Manchester Metropolitan University fosters an inclusive culture of belonging that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. We value a diverse workforce for the innovation and diversity of thought it brings and welcome applications from local and international communities, particularly those from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

We support a range of flexible working arrangements, including hybrid and tailored schedules, which can be discussed with your line manager. If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or in your role, please let us know so we can provide appropriate support.

Our commitment to inclusivity includes mentoring programmes, accessibility resources and professional development opportunities to empower and support underrepresented groups.

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Meet the recruiter

Mark Linstead

M.Linstead@mmu.ac.uk