Research Fellow in Non-Destructive Evaluation

Institute of Sound & Vibration Research

Location:  Highfield Campus
Salary:   £33,314 to £40,931 Per annum
Full Time Fixed Term (36 months)
Closing Date:  Sunday 19 February 2023
Interview Date:   To be confirmed
Reference:  2027322DA-R

Introduction

Institute of Sound and Vibration Research within the School of Engineering is seeking to recruit a post-doctoral Research fellow for a newly awarded 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. 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. The appointed researcher will work together with project partners on pushing the limits of the current ultrasonic imaging methods. They will employ their modelling and computational skills to develop weld characterisation techniques 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 (preferably Python), and a strong track record of leading-edge research in mechanical engineering (preferably NDE, ultrasonics, sound and vibration, materials). You should evidence your knowledge with a PhD** (or equivalent) 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. 

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 (m.kalkowski@soton.ac.uk) 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 (Recruitment Team) on +44 (0) 2380 592750 or email recruitment@soton.ac.uk  Please quote reference 2027322DA-R on all correspondence.