The National Oceanography Centre, part of the Natural Environment Research Council, is a national research organisation, delivering integrated marine science and technology from the coast to the deep ocean and is one of the top five institutions of its kind in the world (http://noc.ac.uk/).
With sites in Liverpool and Southampton, it is the UK’s leading centre for sea level science, coastal and deep ocean research and technology development. Working closely with its partners and associates it provides capability to meet the needs across the UK marine science community.
A position is available for a microfabiracation engineer with technical and engineering skills in an experienced multidisciplinary group at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton (NOCS). As part of the Mechanical Engineering team you will produce prototype microfabricated environmental sensors, and develop microfabrication techniques with the aim of enabling mass production and scale up through outsourced manufacture. This sensor technology is deployed at sea, in coastal areas and in Polar Regions. These sensors provide data for use in environmental and climate modelling, in industrial applications such as Carbon Capture and Storage and for improving our understanding of the world’s oceans.
Your role will develop and manage the NOC microfabrication facility and the methods the group uses both for prototype production and mass manufacture. You will undertake prototype manufacture as part of the wider team improving and innovating methods such as micro-milling, laser micro-machining, embossing, injection moulding, photolithography and 3D printing. Further you will develop these techniques, including via collaboration with the Southampton Nanofabrication Centre, to enable outsourcing of volume manufacture of prototypes leading to full scale commercial exploitation. You will be used to working in a team including presenting your work and ideas for review orally and in writing. You will take responsibility for the work assigned to you and will manage and document this to industry standards.
We seek applicants from a wide range of applicable backgrounds and can offer training to fill gaps. You will have a portfolio of work demonstrating your skills in precision manufacturing and your ability to quickly master new techniques.
Candidates should have knowledge of micro machining and microfabrication, including more than two of the following: embossing, injection moulding, micromilling, or lithography. We also require CAD drafting and analysis of micro scale parts or systems, and experience of mass fabrication and outsourcing.
Informal enquiries only (please do not send CVs) should be directed to Kevin Saw (ksw@noc.ac.uk) and Dr Iain Ogilvie (i.ogilvie@noc.ac.uk).
The post is offered on NERC terms and conditions and is available for 3 years with further extension possible. The basic salary is in the range of £19,740 to £29,710 per annum and is dependent on experience.
NERC provides benefits that include a RCUK pension scheme and a generous leave scheme offering up to 30 days leave and a further 10.5 Public/privilege days. Opportunities for further training and development are supported.
