The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

We are seeking a forward-thinking Research Assistant to help drive the digital evolution of Royce at Sheffield, a founding partner of the Henry Royce Institute, the UK’s national institute for advanced materials research and innovation.

Royce at Sheffield is a world-leading hub for Advanced Metals Processing, bridging the gap between fundamental discovery and industrial application. We house over £43 million of state-of-the-art facilities, ranging from the Royce Discovery Centre to the industrial-scale Royce Translational Centre. This is an environment where breakthrough materials for net-zero, aerospace, and medical sectors are born.

In this role, you will support the digital integration of these facilities. You will help build a unified digital ecosystem that links our diverse, high-value assets, including our Hot Rolling Mill, Vacuum Induction Melting suites, and Arc Melting platforms. By moving us beyond isolated data logging to creating sophisticated dashboards and Digital Twins, you will ensure that Royce remains at the global forefront of data-driven materials manufacturing.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Digital Ecosystem Architecture: Support in the design and deploy a centralised dashboard system that aggregates real-time data from Royce’s varied manufacturing platforms, providing a single view point of the facility performance.
• Digital Twin Implementation: Support in the technical creation of Digital Twins for flagship equipment (e.g., the Fenn Hot Rolling Mill and Consarc VIM furnaces), linking physical sensor outputs to virtual models to optimise process efficiency.
• IoT & Sensor Integration: Help to engineer the connectivity between distinct hardware platforms; creating the infrastructure that allows bespoke research sensors to communicate with control systems across the Royce facility.
• Technical Innovation & Strategy: Work collaboratively with the digital subject matter expert within the technical team, advising on data acquisition strategies that support the Institute's mission of delivering resource-efficient, "smart" manufacturing solutions.
• Data Integrity for Research: Help to ensure robust data logging and storage protocols are in place, securing the high-fidelity data required by our academic and industrial partners.
• Professional Development: Engage with the University’s Technician Commitment, utilising the visibility and career development opportunities available within a national institute to stay ahead of Materials 4.0 trends.
• Carry out other duties: Commensurate with the grade and remit of the post, supporting the safe and efficient operation of the Royce laboratories.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Further Information

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place by early February 2026. This will consist of an application and short interview, which will include opportunities to meet with our technical members of staff. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage as soon as possible following the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Prof. Dan Cogswell.

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Technical Career Route
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.