Designer / fabricator – thinker maker space (tms)

Responsibilities

Department: CYENS Thinker Maker Space (TMS)

No. Of Positions: 1 (one)

Reporting Line: TMS Team Leader

Contract Type: An initial one-year, full-time employment contract, with the possibility of renewal.

Location: Nicosia, Cyprus

Indicative Annual Gross Salary Range: €15.000 – €30.000 gross per year. The salary will be determined based on qualifications, experience, and suitability for the role.

Probation Period: 6 (six) months

Preferred Start Date: November 2026, or as soon thereafter.

Application Deadline: 12 November 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

The Opportunity

Join the TMS team at CYENS CoE and contribute to the development of a leading creative hub in Nicosia. TMS supports a wide range of creative practitioners, researchers, and industry partners through its facilities in digital fabrication, wood, and metal workshops.

The Designer/Fabricator will play a central role in supporting fabrication processes, maintaining equipment, and assisting TMS workflows, makers, artists, and researchers in the realization of their projects. This position requires a balance of hands-on technical skills and digital fabrication knowledge, ensuring safe, efficient, and innovative use of the lab’s resources.

Key Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the achievement of Thinker Maker Space (TMS) departmental and Centre KPIs.
• Operate equipment used in digital fabrication (e.g. laser cutters, 3D printers and CNC routers), woodworking and metalworking workshops, including the integration of design software (CAD/CAM) with hardware processes.
• Provide technical support and guidance to TMS users, including artists, students and researchers, and assist with the preparation and setup of workshops, exhibitions and public engagement activities hosted at TMS.
• Document ongoing projects and workflows for dissemination purposes and contribute to reporting processes.
• Carry out duties in accordance with the instructions and requirements of the TMS Team Leader.
• Assist with the training of new personnel, where required.
• Contribute to the upkeep, troubleshooting and calibration of machines and tools.
• Collaborate with the TMS core team to expand and improve fabrication services.
• Follow relevant health and safety documentation, including Health and Safety Plans, Risk Assessments and protocols, and ensure compliance with health and safety standards in all workshop activities.
• Attend technical and non-technical training courses as required.
• Follow the Employee Handbook and other relevant CYENS policies and procedures, setting an appropriate example.
• Comply with the CYENS Quality Management and Performance Management systems.
• Perform any other duties assigned by TMS or CYENS management.

Your profile

Skills and Competencies

The ideal candidate will be:

• Self-motivated with the ability to take initiative and work independently.
• Strong organizational, communication, presentation, and negotiation skills, having the ability to deal confidently and politely with enquiries.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to deal confidently and politely with enquiries.
• Dynamic, adaptable, hands-on and results driven.
• A team player with an ability to work independently and under pressure.
• High levels of commitment, energy, and drive.

General qualifications and requirements

Key requirements

Essential Qualifications

A degree, diploma, certificate or other relevant qualification in Product Design, Engineering, Architecture, Industrial Design or a related field.

Essential Experience and Skills

• Proficiency in digital fabrication tools and workflows, including 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC milling, CAD/CAM and 3D modelling software (e.g. Rhino, Fusion 360, SolidWorks and Cura).
• Hands-on experience in woodworking and/or metalworking, with demonstrated experience in completing practical projects.
• Strong technical troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to plan and prioritise tasks, work independently and meet deadlines.
• Good organisational and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with diverse user groups.
• Knowledge of and commitment to safe workshop practices.
• Ability to provide technical guidance and practical support to users, including individuals and small groups.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Desirable Experience and Skills

• Experience in teaching, delivering demonstrations or providing practical instruction, including experience working with children.
• Previous experience in a makerspace, fablab or arts and creative environment.
• Knowledge or experience in one or more of the following: microcontrollers and microprocessors, photography, drones, printmaking, pottery, mould-making and casting.

Why us?

What CYENS Offers

CYENS offers a dynamic, collaborative and international working environment where talented professionals contribute to impactful projects that support innovation, technology and societal advancement. Employees benefit from opportunities for professional growth, continuous learning, and collaboration with leading experts and organisations in Cyprus and abroad.

Application process

Application process

For full consideration, interested applicants should submit the following items via the online application form and clearly indicate the position title in their application:

• Full CV (including contact details).
• Cover letter outlining: your suitability for the role; your motivation for applying; and your earliest available start date.
• Contact details of two referees.

Important Information

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants who have previously applied for a position at CYENS are required to submit a new application. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. CYENS Centre of Excellence is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from candidates worldwide. Work Permit: For non-EU applicants a work permit will be required.

Contact details

For general enquiries, applicants may contact the HR Department at vacancies@cyens.org.cy.

About us

CYENS Centre of Excellence (formerly known as RISE) is the Research and Innovation Centre on Interactive media, Smart systems and Emerging technologies empowering knowledge and technology transfer in the region. CYENS CoE is supported by the European Commission, the Republic of Cyprus and its founding Partners, the Municipality of Nicosia, the Max Planck Institute for Informatics (MPI), University College London, the University of Cyprus, the Cyprus University of Technology and the Open University of Cyprus.

The Centre conducts excellent, internationally competitive scientific research in the areas of visual sciences, human factors and design, communication, and artificial intelligence delivered by high-calibre multidisciplinary research teams. CYENS engages in knowledge transfer and innovation activities aiming to bridge the gap between scientific research and STEM-led innovation and entrepreneurship.

CYENS, as a Centre of Excellence, cultivates a culture of innovation and creativity in an inspiring environment filled with academics, researchers, creative and onward-looking people, innovators, entrepreneurs, and practitioners. The Centre operates under the moto “Inspired by Humans Designed for Humans” with the vision to produce world class research that drives innovation towards social and economic benefit while conducting excellent, internationally competitive scientific research in the areas of visual sciences, human factors and design, communication, and artificial intelligence. It sets out to meet the challenge with a total potential funding of more than 30 million Euros for the first 7 years, from a Horizon 2020 Teaming Action and multiple other sources, and a business plan for long-term sustainability and growth.