THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
Recruitment Role Profile Form

Job Title:Research Fellow in Coupled Analysis of Highly Loaded Journal Bearings.

School/Department:Mechanical, Materials & Manufacturing Engineering.

Salary:£28,695 - £37,394 per annum, dependingon skills and experience.
(Salary progression beyond this scale is subject to performance)

Job Family and Level:R&T4

Contract Status:Fixed term contract for 18 months

Hours of Work:Full-time – 36.25 hrs per weekwithin the hours 08:00 – 17:30 Monday-Friday

Location:UTC Office, Energy Technologies building, Jubilee Campus.

Reporting to:ProfessorS. Garvey,Director of the Transmissions UTC.

Purpose of the Role:Conduct coupled thermal, structural and lubricant-flow analysis for highly-loaded journal bearings with flexible bush elements. The analysis effort will involve linking the oil-film thermal and hydrodynamic model with thermal and FEA models of the structural elements. The UTC has funding available for two years for this research activity and there is a strong probability that this research area willgrow.

The main activities will be:

  • Setting out the equations governing the coupled modelling – initially in a static context
  • Coupling bespoke new solvers with existing FEA solvers
  • Implementing dynamic models – linearised locally around the steady-state operating condition.
  • Devising some experiment which can be conducted on the existing seals rig to validate modelling approaches
  • Extending the modelling to full non-linear transient modelling so that the effects of “large excursions” from the equilibrium condition can be studied
  • Considering, in respect of all of the above, whether there is any IP to be secured in connection with highly loaded journal bearings.

Main Responsibilities / % time per year
1. / Conduct research into the coupledstructural, fluidic and thermal behaviour of journal bearings. This research will comprise understanding the general existing literature, understanding and implementing numerical modelling approaches for elements that are not already well developed and coupling to existing FEA packages for visualisation and for modelling elements that are already well established. / 50%
2. / Write engineering reports and scholarly papers based on the above research and in general communicating this research work in a balanced and competent way. A guideline rate would be two reports and two papers per year. / 20%
3. / Supporting the UTC director and other colleagues in the advancement of research grant applications in the area of journal bearings. / 10%
4. / Provide suggestions and insight into possible ongoing experimental activities concerning highly-loaded journal bearings / 8%
5. / Providing support as required for the activities of undergraduates and PhD students undertaking work in the area of journal bearing analysis. / 6%
6. / Contribute to the general sustenance of a high-quality learned environment in which curiosity-driven research is valued and adventure is fostered. / 6%

Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience

Essential / Desirable
Qualifications/ Education / A 2:1 or 1st class honours first degree in mechanical engineering. Applicants with a degree in physics, mathematics, or chemical/electrical engineering if and only if augmented with relevant experience.
PhD in an area relevant to the modelling of journal bearings (or possibly non-contacting seals) / PhD directly relating to the analysis of journal bearings.
Skills/Training / Strong training in mathematical modelling evidenced by the publication of at least 10 papers with substantive numerical modelling content.
Complete and provable mastery of energy balance equations and other conservation equations.
Excellent programming skills evidenced by having written (or contributed to) substantial computer programmes in the past.
Excellent communication skills generally but especially in written English. / MATLAB programming skills are highly desirable.
Experience / Some post-doctoral experience in modelling - especially where generating customised sub-models within existing FEA packages is concerned. / Some experience of experimentation for model validation would be valued highly.

Decision Making

i)taken independently by the role holder

Day-to-day project management and organisation. All decisions on how to proceed with the modelling in the short term.

ii)taken in collaboration with others

Decisions on whether any experimental work should be undertaken and if so, what form that should take.

iii)referred to the appropriate line manager (please name) by the role holder

All purchasing and any proposed re-prioritisation of work that would compromise the original work plan laid out.
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