Postdoctoral Research Associate, QT-MIBA - Engineering and Physical Sciences

Position Details

Engineering and Physical Sciences

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range of £30,942 to £40,322. With potential progression once in post to £42,792 per year

Grade 7

Full time / Fixed term contract until 31st December 2021

Closing date: 12th November 2020

Job Summary

Applicants are invited for a research position in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Birmingham to undertake research to develop computational models to infer quantum technology (QT) gravity gradiometer and some other geophysical sensors to map buried assets. Additionally, integration of the data and information into an exemplar geospatial framework will be explored. This position is offered as part of the QT-MIBA project, an exciting research project in collaboration with Northumbrian Water Ltd., RSK, Ordnance Survey, and Rahko.

The candidate will be required to:

• Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids
• Operate within area of specialism
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results
• Contribute to generating funding
• Contribute to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar

Main Duties

• The post holder will be responsible for the planning and development of computational modelling procedures and will assist the PI in writing of the research reports and the dissemination of the project findings through journal and conference publications.
• Excellent command of programming in Matlab, or Python prior experience in use of finite element method, knowledge of machine learning-based techniques, good organizational and communication skills and a good track record of high-quality research are essential.
• Candidates need to have a PhD (or near completion) in the field of computational modelling applied to geotechnical, mechanical or structural engineering, geophysics, or physics.
• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Analyse and interpret data
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
• Undertake management/administration arising from research
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews *
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters *
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research *
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines*
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

These indicative responsibilities may also be included in a research role at grade 6.

Person Specification

• Degree in area of specialism and normally, a higher degree relevant to research area or equivalent qualifications
• High level analytical capability
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly

Informal enquiries can be made to Asaad Faramarzi - A.Faramarzi@bham.ac.uk

We value diversity at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment