Research Engineer, UCD Mechanical & Materials Engineering, Temp

Organisation/Company: University College Dublin

Research Field: Engineering » Mechanical engineering Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Application Deadline 12 Mar 2026 - 09:59 (UTC)

Country: Ireland Type of Contract: Temporary Job Status: Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Applications are invited for a temporary post of a Research Engineer within UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering.

This role involves the characterisation and mitigation of reaction wheel micro-vibration effects on CubeSat attitude control systems, particularly for optical communication missions. The role involves both numerical simulation and experimental lab work. Numerical modelling and vibration analysis of a typical CubeSat structure with representative loads will be carried out. This will include the design and modelling of candidate passive isolation methods. The vibration from real reaction wheels will also be characterised experimentally in the lab. Passive isolation structures for these wheels will then be prototyped and tested experimentally.

This project is part of the National Space Subsystems and Payloads Initiative (NSSPI) led by University College Dublin which has secured funding under the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment's (DETE) Disruptive Technology Innovation Fund (DTIF). This new initiative brings together seven innovation-intensive SMEs with UCD to develop disruptive technologies in space optical communications and autonomous smart satellites with underpinning capability for Assembly, Integration and Test (AIT) and space system engineering to enable the development of an economically sustainable and expanding space industry.

Salary: €45,000 - €51,000 Per Annum

Appointment on the above range will be dependent upon qualifications and experience.

Closing date: 12:00 noon (local Irish time) on 12 March 2026.

Applications must be submitted by the closing date and time specified. Any applications which are still in progress at the closing time of 12:00 noon (Local Irish Time) on the specified closing date will be cancelled automatically by the system. UCD are unable to accept late applications.

UCD do not require assistance from Recruitment Agencies. Any CVs submitted by Recruitment Agencies will be returned.

Communication, Organisational skills, Research skills, Experience with modelling and simulation of vibrations using numerical methods, NASTRAN, ANSYS, Kistler table, MATLAB, Simulink.

Mandatory:

• 
  
• An undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electronic Engineering or another relevant area.
  
• Experience with modelling and simulation of vibrations using numerical methods.
  
• Experience of practical vibration measurement in a laboratory.
  
• Experience of hardware design and prototyping using CAD tools.
  
• An understanding of research and research publications.
  
• An understanding of the operational requirements for a successful research project.
  
• Excellent Communication Skills (Oral, Written, Presentation etc).
  
• Excellent Organisational and Administrative skills including a proven ability to work to deadlines.
  
• Candidates must demonstrate an awareness of equality, diversity and inclusion agenda.
  

Optional:

• 
  
• Experience with spacecraft structural loads analysis.
  
• Experience in vibration analysis using NASTRAN/ANSYS.
  
• Experience in the design and testing of vibration isolation systems.
  
• Experience in force measurement using a Kistler table.
  
• Experience in control systems modelling using MATLAB/Simulink. xcfaprz
  
• Experience in setting own research agenda.