Research Associate/Postdoctoral Researcher - Concept-AM, 1 FTE, School of Engineering, 011766

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a full-time, fixed term position as a Research Associate/Postdoctoral Researcher with Biomechanics Research Centre ( BioMec), Institute for Health Discovery and Innovation  and  School of Engineering at the University of Galway, Ireland.

This position is funded by the European Research Council (ERC) and is available from 1st July 2026 to contract end date of 30th December 2027.

Concept-AM is a European Research Council Proof-of-Concept project at the University of Galway that will develop a new paradigm in Design Optimisation for Additive Manufacturing (DOfAM). The project builds on the original LatticeWorks toolbox to create a high-performance, scalable software platform capable of producing lightweight, high-strength, and sustainable components tailored to the unique capabilities of additive manufacturing. By generating complex, functionally graded, and biomimetic lattice structures inspired by nature, Concept-AM will enable significant reductions in material use, weight, and energy consumption while improving structural performance and durability. The key technical pillars include advanced optimization algorithms that automate material distribution for optimised performance, integrated simulation coupling lattice generation with open-source solvers that allow for structural validation, and design-to-manufacture for incorporating AM constraints. Concept-AM project follows a commercialization strategy landscape and aims to integrate the easy-to-use technology with the industrial applications and licensing the core technology.

This position will be responsible for integrating the numerical optimisation into additive manufacturing, through an easy-to-use platform. The candidate will be at the forefront of developing bio-inspired topology optimization algorithms and integrating them with open-source Finite Element Analysis (FEA) solvers to create a tool that is accessible to both academic researchers and industrial partners. This research will be conducted using the equipment, technical expertise, office and research space within the Biomechanics Research Centre (BioMec), Institute for Health, Discovery and Innovation (IHDI) and School of Engineering at the University of Galway. The Alice Perry Engineering building houses state-of-the-art Biomedical Engineering facilities including additive manufacturing laboratories, micro-CT scanning, microscopy, research space and state-of-the-art computer software.

**Salary: **Research Assistant / Postdoctoral Researcher salary scale €46,805 - €59,654 per annum, (subject to the project’s funding limitations), and pro rata for shorter and/or part-time contracts.

The default position for all new public sector appointments is the 1st point of the salary scale. This may be reviewed, and consideration afforded to appointment at a higher point on the payscale (subject to the project’s funding limitations), where evidence of prior years’ equivalent experience is accepted in determining placement on the scale above point 1, subject to the maximum of the scale.

 (Research Salary Scales - University of Galway)  

Closing date for receipt of applications is 17:00 (Irish Time) on 27th May 2026.  It will not be possible to consider applications received after the closing date. 

Interviews are planned to be held on 12th June 2026 

*Please review full job description for further details and essential requirements