Research Fellow (Marine Simulator and Modelling Specialist)

THE UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN

National Decommissioning Centre

Research Fellow (Marine Simulator and Modelling Specialist)

ENG149R

The National Decommissioning Centre (NDC) is looking to expand its current team with a Marine Simulator and Modelling Specialist to supervise the use of the Centre’s new marine simulator. You will  assist staff, students and external users in developing new and innovative models and running simulations of decommissioning and other scenarios. 

This is an exciting new post within the NDC, supporting the use of a state-of-the-art, real-time, real- physics marine simulator with a 300-degree immersive environment and 4 control stations.  The simulator is funded partly by the Scottish Government’s Decommissioning Challenge Fund and partly by the Centre itself and is being supplied by the Offshore Simulation Centre (OSC) AS in Aalesund, Norway ( https://osc.no/ ) who will be providing ongoing support and collaboration.  The system is unique within the UK and you will have the opportunity to understand its capabilities and get involved in projects which will require further development of the system.    

The role will see you being responsible for understanding industry challenges, developing scenarios, running simulations and developing models of new infrastructure and incorporating these into the simulator with support from OSC. Other opportunities will include working with staff and students at the NDC and the Oil and Gas Authority to develop a “Smart Basin” concept using the simulator to visualise data across the entire UK continental shelf to assist in decision making.  

You will work closely with Prof Richard Neilson, the Centre Director and Dr Russell Stevenson, the Oil and Gas Technology Centre (OGTC)’s industrial director, to champion use and development of the simulator.  You will interact extensively with industry and must have good interpersonal and communication skills as well as a high level of technical ability in modelling/simulation.  Ideally you will have a PhD in physics, engineering, naval architecture or a similar subject with experience of dynamic modelling. 

Salary will be at the appropriate point on the Grade 7 salary scale (£41,526 - £49,552 per annum) and negotiable with placement according to qualifications and experience.

These activities are funded by the Oil & Gas Technology Centre and the UK and Scottish Governments which has been agreed until 31 August 2026.   

Informal enquiries can be made to Professor Richard Neilson by telephone on 01224 274407 or email r.d.neilson@abdn.ac.uk or Dr Karen McArdle by telephone on 01224 274407 or email e.karen.mcardle@abdn.ac.uk .  

Should you require a visa to undertake paid employment in the UK you will be required to fulfil the minimum points criteria to be granted a Certificate of Sponsorship and Tier 2 visa. As appropriate, at the time an offer of appointment is made you will be asked to demonstrate that you fulfil the criteria in respect of financial maintenance and competency in English. Please do not hesitate to contact Heather Clark, HR Adviser on +44 (0)1224 273244 or email h.m.clark@abdn.ac.uk for further information. 

To apply online for this position visit www.abdn.ac.uk/jobs 

Job Reference Number: ENG149R 

The closing date for the receipt of applications is 19 March 2020 

The University pursues a policy of equal opportunities in the appointment and promotion of staff.