Research Assistant or Associate in Low-Temperature Adhesives

Job number

ENG03736

Faculties

Faculty of Engineering

Departments

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Salary or Salary range

£43,863 - £52,922 per annum

Location/campus

South Kensington Campus - Hybrid

Contract type work pattern

Full time - Fixed term

Posting End Date

26 Nov 2025

About the role

The Mechanics of Materials Division is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to review adhesives capable of curing at very low temperatures. You will review the scientific and technical literature, liaising with material suppliers to establish the suitability of adhesives for use as low as -40°C. You will make recommendations of the most suitable adhesives and any modifications that should be made. You will also recommend suitable test methods to evaluate the performance and durability of the adhesives in-service, and to understand the failure mechanisms involved.

The successful applicant will be subject to a security check.

What you would be doing

• You will review adhesives for low-temperature use to identify suitable materials.
• You will recommend modifications to the adhesives to improve their low-temperature use.
• You will recommend techniques to characterise the thermal and mechanical performance of the adhesives, and to understand the failure mechanisms.
• You will write reports for submission to research sponsors.

What we are looking for

• For Research Associate, you will hold a PhD in engineering, materials science, physics, chemistry or a closely related discipline, or equivalent research, industrial or commercial experience. Research Assistant must have a first or masters degree in equivalent subjects.
• You will have practical experience within a research environment, and experience of dealing with research sponsors and material suppliers.
• You will have practical experience in a broad range of techniques including thermal analysis, microscopy and mechanical testing.
• You will have knowledge of polymers, composites or adhesives, and fracture and failure mechanisms.
• You will have the ability to conduct a detailed review of recent literature, plus the ability to develop and apply new concepts.
• You will have excellent written and oral communication skills.

What we can offer you

• The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution.
• Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 38 days off a year).

Further information

This is a fixed term position and is expected to run until the 15th April 2026.

Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as a Research Assistant within the salary range £43,863 - £47,223 per annum.

If you require any further details on the role please contact: Prof. Ambrose Taylor - .

Hybrid working may be considered for this role. Staff working in roles that are suitable for hybrid working will normally be expected to work 60% of their time onsite. The opportunity for hybrid working will be discussed at interview.

Available documents

Attached documents are available under links. Clicking a document link will initialize its download.

Please note that job descriptions are not exhaustive, and you may be asked to take on additional duties that align with the key responsibilities mentioned above.

We reserve the right to close the advert prior to the closing date stated should we receive a high volume of applications. It is therefore advisable that you submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

If you encounter any technical issues while applying online, please don't hesitate to email us at We're here to help.

About Imperial

Welcome to Imperial, a global top ten university where scientific imagination leads to world-changing impact.

Join us and be part of something bigger. From global health to climate change, AI to business leadership, here at Imperial we navigate some of the world's toughest challenges. Whatever your role, your contribution will have a lasting impact.

As a member of our vibrant community of 22,000 students and 8,000 staff, you'll collaborate with passionate minds across nine London campuses and a global network.

This is your chance to help shape the future. We hope you'll join us at Imperial College London.

Our Culture

We work towards equality of opportunity, to eliminating discrimination, and to creating an inclusive working environment for all. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to employing a team that has diverse skills, experiences and abilities. You can read more about our commitment on our webpages.

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