The Role and Department The Centre for Advanced Instrumentation (CfAI) is a major research group in the Department of Physics at Durham University with approximately seventy staff and research students. Developing state-of-the-art instruments for use in astronomy, biophysics, remote sensing, fusion diagnostics and much more To undertake a world-leading programme of education and research with international impact, based on the development of novel instrumentation and cutting-edge technologies with applications across a range of strategically important scientific areas of benefit to modern society.The group is distributed across two physical locations: The Department of Physics located in Durham itself, with its world leading reputation in academic research. Secondly, there is a dedicated technology facility based at NETpark in nearby Sedgefield, providing access to advanced technical facilities for the assembly and test of complex instrumentation. CfAI has provided major instruments for many of the world's leading astronomical facilities including the James Webb Space Telescope, William Herschel Telescope, Gemini Telescopes, Southern African Large Telescope and the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope. Major current ground-based instrumentation projects in CfAI include HARMONI and MOSAIC, the first-light spectrograph and multi-object spectrograph for the upcoming 40m diameter ). This will be the world's largest optical telescope, enabling observations of the faintest and most distant objects in the Universe in unparalleled detail. Adaptive Optics (AO) is a technology that provides high-speed optical correction for image distortions caused by the atmosphere and telescope itself . The Role CfAI is seeking a systems engineer with proven systems engineering experience as an accomplished, practicing Systems/Project Engineer to work on an opto-mechanical ground-based instrumentation project for the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT). In addition to being an accomplished design engineer in a primary engineering discipline (optical, mechanical, electronics, control, and/or software engineering), you will have proven experience of leading an international multidisciplinary engineering team. Typically, our projects involve international consortia, mainly based in Europe, and some level of domestic and international travel should be anticipated. As a Senior Systems Engineer, you will be a key player and will be part of the project management team. You will be responsible for the requirements engineering, the overall system architecture, the coordination of assembly, integration, verification, installation, commissioning, and delivery of our astronomical and scientific products. Working as a senior member of the team, you will have the freedom to define, control and execute your own work plan without the need to be supervised and you will have many opportunities to innovate and develop new technical solutions, with considerable scope to be creative. The preferred location for this role is at our Lower Mountjoy facility situated in Durham.
Feb 04, 2026
Full time
The Role and Department The Centre for Advanced Instrumentation (CfAI) is a major research group in the Department of Physics at Durham University with approximately seventy staff and research students. Developing state-of-the-art instruments for use in astronomy, biophysics, remote sensing, fusion diagnostics and much more To undertake a world-leading programme of education and research with international impact, based on the development of novel instrumentation and cutting-edge technologies with applications across a range of strategically important scientific areas of benefit to modern society.The group is distributed across two physical locations: The Department of Physics located in Durham itself, with its world leading reputation in academic research. Secondly, there is a dedicated technology facility based at NETpark in nearby Sedgefield, providing access to advanced technical facilities for the assembly and test of complex instrumentation. CfAI has provided major instruments for many of the world's leading astronomical facilities including the James Webb Space Telescope, William Herschel Telescope, Gemini Telescopes, Southern African Large Telescope and the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope. Major current ground-based instrumentation projects in CfAI include HARMONI and MOSAIC, the first-light spectrograph and multi-object spectrograph for the upcoming 40m diameter ). This will be the world's largest optical telescope, enabling observations of the faintest and most distant objects in the Universe in unparalleled detail. Adaptive Optics (AO) is a technology that provides high-speed optical correction for image distortions caused by the atmosphere and telescope itself . The Role CfAI is seeking a systems engineer with proven systems engineering experience as an accomplished, practicing Systems/Project Engineer to work on an opto-mechanical ground-based instrumentation project for the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT). In addition to being an accomplished design engineer in a primary engineering discipline (optical, mechanical, electronics, control, and/or software engineering), you will have proven experience of leading an international multidisciplinary engineering team. Typically, our projects involve international consortia, mainly based in Europe, and some level of domestic and international travel should be anticipated. As a Senior Systems Engineer, you will be a key player and will be part of the project management team. You will be responsible for the requirements engineering, the overall system architecture, the coordination of assembly, integration, verification, installation, commissioning, and delivery of our astronomical and scientific products. Working as a senior member of the team, you will have the freedom to define, control and execute your own work plan without the need to be supervised and you will have many opportunities to innovate and develop new technical solutions, with considerable scope to be creative. The preferred location for this role is at our Lower Mountjoy facility situated in Durham.
The Role and the Department Research and Innovation Services (RIS) provides guidance, expert advice and hands-on support for all aspects of research and research-related work, including securing funding, working with partners, undertaking knowledge exchange, demonstrating impact, commercialising outputs, ensuring good research practice and supporting professional development. The Policy, Systems and Performance (PSP) team within the Research and Innovation Services directorate works to support high quality research performance, impact and intelligence through data, integrity and governance, support for institutional strategy development and the compilation of relevant returns including HEBCI, KEF, KEC and REF. The overall purpose of the position advertised is to assist the University in developing research impact to enhance the societal benefits of its research, and to support the development and submission of impact case studies, engagement measures, and narrative statements to the Research Excellence Framework (REF). The position of Impact and Engagement Manager (I&EM) is a strategically important role within the Research and Innovation Services (RIS) Directorate. The post-holder will report to the Director of Policy, Systems and Performance and work closely the Senior Impact and Engagement Managers, one of whom will be the direct line manager of this post. They will work with the Director of PSP to support impact across the University but also have specific responsibility for developing a portfolio of REF impact case studies in the Science Faculty. In this capacity the post-holder will work closely with the Deputy Executive Dean for Research and the Deputy Executive Dean for Impact and Research Engagement within the Faculty, with the Senior Research Administrators and Impact Directors in the associated Departments (Biosciences, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Mathematical Sciences, Physics and Psychology). Further information about the role and the responsibilities is in the job description.
Feb 04, 2026
Full time
The Role and the Department Research and Innovation Services (RIS) provides guidance, expert advice and hands-on support for all aspects of research and research-related work, including securing funding, working with partners, undertaking knowledge exchange, demonstrating impact, commercialising outputs, ensuring good research practice and supporting professional development. The Policy, Systems and Performance (PSP) team within the Research and Innovation Services directorate works to support high quality research performance, impact and intelligence through data, integrity and governance, support for institutional strategy development and the compilation of relevant returns including HEBCI, KEF, KEC and REF. The overall purpose of the position advertised is to assist the University in developing research impact to enhance the societal benefits of its research, and to support the development and submission of impact case studies, engagement measures, and narrative statements to the Research Excellence Framework (REF). The position of Impact and Engagement Manager (I&EM) is a strategically important role within the Research and Innovation Services (RIS) Directorate. The post-holder will report to the Director of Policy, Systems and Performance and work closely the Senior Impact and Engagement Managers, one of whom will be the direct line manager of this post. They will work with the Director of PSP to support impact across the University but also have specific responsibility for developing a portfolio of REF impact case studies in the Science Faculty. In this capacity the post-holder will work closely with the Deputy Executive Dean for Research and the Deputy Executive Dean for Impact and Research Engagement within the Faculty, with the Senior Research Administrators and Impact Directors in the associated Departments (Biosciences, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Mathematical Sciences, Physics and Psychology). Further information about the role and the responsibilities is in the job description.
The Role Applications are invited for the position of Research Associate to work on an innovative research project focused on the compatibility of feedstocks for pyrolysis, with particular emphasis on poultry waste as a sustainable energy resource. The role will involve experimental investigation, feedstock characterisation and performance assessment to determine energy potential, product yields and environmental impacts. In addition, the Research Associate will play a key role in the design and development of pelletiser and pyrolysis systems, supporting optimisation of system efficiency, scalability and operational performance. The position offers an excellent opportunity to engage in applied research at the intersection of waste management, system design and process engineering, contributing to sustainable energy solutions and resource recovery. This post is fixed term for 10 months as funding is only available for this amount of time. The post-holder will be employed as part of a research team led by Prof. Tony Roskilly. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols. Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by 06/02/2026 with an end-date of 30/11/2026.
Feb 04, 2026
Full time
The Role Applications are invited for the position of Research Associate to work on an innovative research project focused on the compatibility of feedstocks for pyrolysis, with particular emphasis on poultry waste as a sustainable energy resource. The role will involve experimental investigation, feedstock characterisation and performance assessment to determine energy potential, product yields and environmental impacts. In addition, the Research Associate will play a key role in the design and development of pelletiser and pyrolysis systems, supporting optimisation of system efficiency, scalability and operational performance. The position offers an excellent opportunity to engage in applied research at the intersection of waste management, system design and process engineering, contributing to sustainable energy solutions and resource recovery. This post is fixed term for 10 months as funding is only available for this amount of time. The post-holder will be employed as part of a research team led by Prof. Tony Roskilly. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols. Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by 06/02/2026 with an end-date of 30/11/2026.