Focus on: Catapult - NCC and WMG

The fourth part of this series looks at two more “partners” within the Technology Strategy Board’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult – both of which could offer opportunities for #chemjobs now and in the future.

National Composites Centre

Location: Bristol & Bath Science Park

Partners: University of Bristol

Jobs listed on their own job site.

Twitter: @NCCUKinfo

The NCC aims to “develop new technologies for the design and rapid manufacture of high-quality composite products”. It has a new facility on the Bristol and Bath science park, and also works with other regional composite sites, including the University of Bristol’s Advanced Composite Centre for Innovation and Science (ACCIS).

Relevant areas of research for chemists may include: composites design and structural analysis, materials engineering and testing, and quality.

The NCC currently has few vacancies available, although there are PhD studentships and research associates available on the ACCIS job site.

Warwick Manufacturing Group

Location: Warwick

Partners: University of Warwick

Jobs listed on jobs.ac.uk and the University of Warwick job site

Twitter: @wmgwarwick

The WMG is a well-established R&D group, supporting a range of industries. Within the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, the WMG’s focus is on low carbon mobility. There are three research themes: lightweight product (advanced materials manufacture and performance), energy storage and management, and digital validation and verification.

The first theme builds on the WMG’s research experience in materials and manufacture – including ceramics, metals & alloys, polymers & composites, sustainable materials and materials characterization. For the second theme, there is a new facility planned for energy storage R&D which may provide further opportunities.

In total, the WMG has 450 people working on the Warwick campus, and they are currently recruiting research fellows.

Focus on: Catapult – NAMRC

Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre

Location: Advanced Manufacturing Park (Sheffield/Rotherham) and labs at Manchester University

Partners: Manchester and Sheffield Universities, Rolls-Royce

Jobs advertised on the University of Sheffield job site and the University of Manchester job site

Twitter: @NuclearAMRC

The NAMRC aims to “improve capabilities and performance along the nuclear supply chain”. The NAMRC Laboratory in Manchester carries out proof-of-concept manufacturing research into new materials and processing, welding/joining and surface technology. The Sheffield-based NAMRC focuses on advanced manufacturing research on metals engineering, primarily for the manufacture of components for new nuclear power stations.

While it appears the majority of STEM opportunities at NAMRC are engineering-related, chemists may be suitably qualified for areas such as materials characterisation, component performance and materials research.

The NAMRC currently has no chemistry vacancies advertised (except possibly research associate roles in Manchester), but keep an eye on their active Twitter feed for updates.

Focus on: Catapult - AMRC

Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre

Location: Advanced Manufacturing Park (Sheffield/Rotherham)

Partners: University of Sheffield , Boeing

Jobs advertised on the University of Sheffield job site

Twitter: @TheAMRC

The AMRC has four research groups: machining, assembly, composite materials and structural testing, and “identifies, researches and resolves advanced manufacturing problems”, predominantly for the aerospace and other high-value industries.

The Composite Centre carries out advanced composite manufacturing R&D, including developing new carbon fibre composites and hybrids of metals and composites. New materials bring new challenges, and there is a strong technology focus on automated production, machining and curing technologies.

The Advanced Structural Testing Centre tests everything from samples of new materials to finished products. It has the capability to “physically validate research, analysis, material properties, components, sub assemblies, and full assemblies”, and is accredited by UKAS.

Research support is provided by a number of groups, including Microscopy (surface analysis), Metrology, and Quality (QMS, QA, Six Sigma).

The AMRC employs 180 researchers and engineers .

No chemistry vacancies currently advertised, but keep an eye on their active Twitter feed for updates.