Research Fellow in Non-Destructive Evaluation

Institute of Sound & Vibration Research

Location:  

Highfield Campus

Salary:  

£32,348 to £39,745
Per annum

Full Time Fixed Term (36 months)

Closing Date:  

Monday 21 November 2022

Interview Date:  

To be confirmed

Reference:  

2027322DA

Introduction 

Institute of Sound and Vibration Research within the School of Engineering has been awarded an EU project on intelligent weld inspection (iWeld, EURATOM ref: 101061359). This exciting research looks at developing advanced methods for ultrasonic inspection and characterisation of complex welds and transferring this knowledge to the industry. 

The role  

The ambition of iWeld is to transform the practice of ultrasonic inspection of thick welds across several industry sectors, building upon recent advances in the nuclear energy context and the versatility of artificial intelligence. The iWeld project is a collaboration between the University of Southampton and the key players in non-destructive testing: project lead – EDF (FR), Imperial College London (UK), CEA (FR), Kaunas University of Technology (LT), University of Stuttgart (DE), Transvalor (FR) and Extende (FR). 

 Placed right at the centre of NDE (non-destructive evaluation) research, this is a fantastic opportunity for career growth, networking and an impactful contribution to industrial practice. You will work together with project partners on pushing the limits of the current ultrasonic imaging methods. They will employ their skills to develop weld characterisation techniques, contribute to the new AI-based weld description and demonstrate/deploy project outcomes to industrial partners. 

About you 

To succeed, you will need a solid understanding of wave propagation in solids, excellent numerical modelling/scientific computing skills, and a strong track record of leading-edge research in structural wave propagation or non-destructive testing (preferably NDE, ultrasonics, sound and vibration, materials). You should evidence your knowledge with a PhD* (or equivalent professional qualifications and experience) in mechanical engineering, acoustics, materials, or similar, and peer-reviewed publications in high-ranking journals. In addition, you will need to be comfortable with working in a team and be able to manage multiple project streams effectively. Alongside your research activities, your role may involve helping coordinate the activities led by the University of Southampton. 

*Applications will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification. The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon completion of the PhD. Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given.

What we can offer you 

You will join one of the UK’s most dynamic centres for engineering and environmental research and education. We have an excellent record of collaborative research with industry and academic institutions in the UK and abroad.  

As a university, we aim to create an environment where everyone can thrive and are proactive in fostering a culture of inclusion, respect and equality of opportunity. We believe that we can only truly meet our objectives if we are reflective of society, so we are passionate about creating a working environment in which you are free to bring your whole self to work. 

With a generous holiday allowance as well as additional university closure days, we are committed to supporting our staff and students and open to a flexible working approach. 

Application procedure  

Feel free to contact Dr Michal Kalkowski ([email protected]) with informal questions before applying. 

You should submit your completed application form online at www.jobs.soton.ac.uk  The application deadline will be midnight on the closing date stated above. If you need any assistance, please call Sian Gale (Recruitment Team) on +44 (0) 2380 592750 or email [email protected]   Please quote reference 2027322DA on all correspondence. 

Further details:

We believe equality, diversity and inclusion are fundamental to making the University of Southampton a welcoming, vibrant and successful organisation. Having a diverse workforce, inclusive of people of all ages and beliefs, from different racial, educational and social backgrounds opens up a wealth of possibilities, makes us more creative and accelerates our impact on society. We welcome applicants that value the diversity of our community and are willing to play their part in supporting the mission of inclusivity. 

Please note that applications from agencies will not be accepted unless indicated in the job advert.