Job Description

Salary

The starting salary will be from 33,482 up to 34,132 on Grade E, depending on qualifications and experience.

Contractual hours

36.5

Package

Generous holiday allowances, flexible working, pension scheme and relocation package (if applicable).

Job category/type

Research

Date posted

06/08/2025

Job reference

Q05632

Environment, Science and Economy Faculty

This full-time post is available from September 2025 on a fixed term basis until 31st December 2025.

The post

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Graduate Research Assistant to support the work of Dr Raffaele Vinai and colleagues. This EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) funded post is available from 1st September 2025 to 31st December 2025. The successful applicant will support the activities of the project "Auxetic meshes for the construction sector", whose aim is

to unlock the potential of auxetic geometries to be exploited in the construction industry

, delivering

solutions for the assembly and use of large auxetic meshes

for the manufacture of e.g. deployable curved structures, or self-confining wall assemblies.

The post will include supporting the research team in the achievement of the following objectives:

The design of a connector - edge system suitable for the manufacture of re-entrant honeycomb auxetic meshes of large dimensions (metres) is validated. A proof-of-concept mesh with dimension 2 m x 2 m made with polymeric materials (ABS, HDPE, PVC) is assembled and tested through lifting and weight hanging. Proof-of-concept meshes with dimension 2 m x 2 m made with steel and polymeric materials are assembled and tested through crane lifting and weight hanging. The deployable method for transportation and installation is generalised and described in suitable terms for dissemination, promoting the term "FlexiDome".

About you

The successful applicant will be able to present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information, orally, in writing and electronically and prepare proposals and applications to external bodies.

Applicants will be educated to first degree level or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study or equivalent experience and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes. Applicants will have demonstrable experience with the design and use of auxetic geometries for construction industry application.

Please ensure you read the and Person Specification for full details of this role.

What we can offer you

Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research; Support teams that understand the University wide research and teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development Our Exeter Academic initiative supporting high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career


A multitude of staff benefits including sector leading benefits around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), Paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay), and a Fertility Treatment Policy A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon.

The University of Exeter

We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 and QS World University Ranking 2024). We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2023, underpinned by Gold ratings for Student Experience and Student Outcomes.

Our world-leading research impact has grown more than any other Russell Group university in recent years, and we are home to some of the world's most influential researchers, seeking to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today. More than 99 percent of our research is of international quality and 47 percent is world-leading (2021 Research Excellence Framework).

We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students. Read about our world leading research - Green Futures and how we are transforming education for a changing world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country and Exeter (a fast growing tech hub) is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

We are committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.

Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community.

With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer.

We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and welcome applications from service people.

Further information

For further information please contact Dr Raffaele Vinai, e-mail r.vinai@exeter.ac.uk or telephone (01392) 723627.