Job Description
Job title:
Research Associate
Department/School:
Architecture & Civil Engineering
Grade:
7 (Research Associate)
Location:
Claverton Down Campus
Duration
Upto 42 months
Job purpose
The BRE Centre for Innovative Construction Materials, based in the Department of
Architecture and Civil Engineering at the University of Bath, wishes to appoint a fulltime Research Associate to work on an EPSRC funded research project titled
'Concrete modelled using random elements’ (EP/M020908/1) led by Dr John Orr.
The Research Associate will support this exciting new research project through their
extensive experience in coding and their background in computer science, materials
modelling, or engineering.
The Research Associate will also engage with and support the wider goals of the
research project, which looks to change the way that we design and analyse reinforced
concrete through a new method for modelling material continua based on
peridynamics. This new approach to material modelling will consistently and efficiently
account for the structural behaviour of reinforced concrete structures, providing the
fundamental basis for new analysis, design and optimisation methods.
The successful applicant will provide key computational skills to the research centre
and should have experience at PhD level of working at the interface between
engineering and computer science.
Reports to:
Dr John Orr, Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Civil Engineering
Staff management responsibility
No staff report to this post, although day to day assistance/supervision of other group
members e.g. PhD and/or undergraduate students may be required. The appointee will
also be required to work closely with other research staff.
Special conditions
None.
Human Resources
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Main duties and responsibilities – Research Associate
1
To develop a new computational analysis method for the modelling of concrete
structures, utilising the principles of peridynamics and building on proof of
concept work undertaken at the BRE CICM.
2
To develop analytical methods for steel reinforced and steel prestressed
structures with the ultimate goal of minimising the embodied energy of concrete
structures through design optimisation.
3
To work with Dr Orr’s research team to validate the new computational and
analytical process through laboratory experiments (undertaken by another
researcher) and use these results to develop the computational model further.
4
Implementing optimisation methods for concrete structures, using the new
analytical method to place concrete and steel only where they are needed.
5
To apply knowledge of validation and code optimisation methods to the new
analysis method to ensure efficiency in the design process
6
To develop new industrial collaborations to support both the technical and the
impact agenda of the project
7
To contribute to the development of materials for non-academic impact events
both in the UK and internationally.
8
To prepare papers for publication in high quality international journals
9
To give presentations at international conferences.
10
To participate in meetings with research collaborators and to undertake
speculative meetings to develop the research network
11
To assist in the supervision of PhD students within Dr Orr’s research group
12
To undertake other duties required by Dr Orr
You will from time to time be required to undertake other duties of a similar nature as
reasonably required by your line manager.
You are required to follow all University policies and procedures at all times and take
account of University guidance.
Human Resources
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Person Specification
Criteria
Essential
Desirable
Qualifications
PhD in a relevant topic (e.g. computer science,
engineering, material science)
√
Experience/Knowledge
Excellent computer science and/or computational
background
√
Knowledge of methods for computational modelling
of materials and/or structures
√
Knowledge of methods for computer modelling for
analysis and visualisation
√
Knowledge of the wider research field of structural
optimisation for reductions in embodied energy
√
Published papers in high quality peer-reviewed
journals
√
Previous attendance at international conferences
√
Successful supervision of post graduate and
undergraduate researchers
√
Engagement with relevant national and
international research communities
√
Skills
Ability to write and lead on complex computer
coding to address material modelling research
√
Excellent presentation and communication skills
(e.g. in publishing and presenting research,
training and outreach activities)
Demonstrates broad interests across the subject
area and wider research field
√
Demonstrates effective organisational and
administrative skills
√
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Attributes
Shows versatility, innovation and the ability to work
in interdisciplinary teams
Commitment to excellence in research
√
Commitment to safe working practices
√
Commitment to working within professional and
ethical codes of conduct
Commitment to collaborative and interdisciplinary
research
Organisation – able to plan and deliver work to
meet required deadlines
Tenacity – working to achieve own and team
objectives and to overcome obstacles
Ability to be an effective team worker
√
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