NWCAM2
North West Centre for Advanced Manufacturing.
NWCAM2
A cross-border innovation programme focused on delivering sustainable, net-zero manufacturing solutions for SMEs in the Health & Life Sciences sector.
There are two strands to NWCAM2 with different objectives, activities and outputs
Deep Dive R&I Projects
This strand will conducts PhD-level research in additive and digital manufacturing and future materials to drive sustainable product and process innovation in the H&LS sector.
Six PhDs from ATU and four from UU collaborate with Catalyst facilitating SME engagement and innovation road mapping. The initiative will deliver ten innovations through deep-dive research projects that inform faster, one-year implementation projects, with Postdoctoral Research Associates ensuring continuity across both strands.
Implementation Projects
The Implementation Projects will support 20 manufacturing SMEs over three years to embed practical innovation and accelerate the adoption of proven product and process technologies.
Coordinated by NWRC and supported by PDRA staff from UU, ATU, IMR, and TCD, with Catalyst leading innovation roadmapping, these projects will focus on integrating new technologies to enhance productivity and reduce emissions. The initiative will result in 30 SMEs implementing innovative manufacturing solutions that deliver measurable improvements in sustainability and competitiveness.
What is NWCAM2?
NWCAM2 (North West Centre for Advanced Manufacturing 2) will address crucial challenges in the life and health sciences sector by supporting SMEs in the development of environmentally sustainable manufacturing processes and products – enabling them to innovate, reduce emissions and compete on a global scale.
NWCAM2 builds on the success of the original NWCAM project, funded through INTERREG VA, which was widely recognised for delivering high-impact manufacturing innovations. The project, received PEACEPLUS funding of €9,981,033 through the Innovation Challenge Fund.
NWCAM2 - PhD Opportunities
It aims to help 30 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing environmentally sustainable manufacturing processes and products, enabling them to innovate, reduce emissions and compete globally. ATU are now looking to recruit a number of PhD candidates to work on the NWCAM2 research programme. The programme comprises of a number of PhD research projects which will address crucial challenges in the life and health sciences sector by supporting SMEs in the development of environmentally sustainable manufacturing processes and products, enabling them to innovate, reduce emissions and compete on a global scale.
The successful candidates will be expected to collaborate with other NWCAM2 partners including University of Ulster, IMR and Trinity College. The broader NWCAM programme will combine deep research with practical implementation to ensure tangible benefits, directly supporting SMEs on both sides of the border to embed advanced technologies like additive manufacturing, digital tools, and sustainable materials.
The PhD project opportunities are as follows:
PhD Project 1 – Surface Texturing & Sustainable Additive Manufacturing
PhD Project 2 – Recycling Machining Swarf into Wire Feedstock for Directed Energy Deposition (DED) Additive Manufacturing
PhD Project 3 – Collaborative Robotics for advanced manufacturing processes (2 x PhD positions)
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