THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
Role Profile Form

Job Title:Research Fellow/Associate in Polymer Composites

School/Department:Faculty of Engineering – Materials, Mechanics & Structures

Salary:£25,013 - £30,728 per annum, depending on skills and experience.

Job Family and Level:Research and Teaching Level 4(Appointment will be Level 4 Career training grade where an appointment is made before PhD has been completed)

Contract Status:This post will be offered on a fixed-term contract for 12 months.

Hours of Work:36.25 hours per week, Full time

Location:University Park

Reporting to:Dr Mike Johnson, Professor Nick Warrior

Purpose of the Role:

This role is linked with the Future Railway/EIT Radical Train Programme and the specific project will be led by Bombardier Transportation (Rail). The project objective is to use composite derived materials to reduce rail vehicle body mass with an emphasis on component integration.

The purpose of this role will be to have specific responsibility for research, for developing research objectives and proposals for theresearch project. This role is for participating in phase 1 of the project for one year duration. Future funding for the role will be dependent on the outcome of phase 1 and the successful funding of phase 2.

The post holder will be expected to plan and conduct work using approaches or methodologies and techniques appropriate to the type of research, and will be responsible for writing up their work for publication.

Main Responsibilities / % time per year
1. / Project management:
  • Defining research objectives in collaboration with senior colleagues and project partners.
  • Developinginternal work plans/timetables with research staff, support staff, and project partners.
  • Managing resources in order to achieve research outputs.
  • Organising and participating in meetings with other project partners to clarify objectives and communicating research outcomes.
  • Close collaboration with project partners based throughout the UK.
/ 30%
2. / Research activities: Use of scientific literature to develop research plans and interpret findings.
Research will be focussed on the following areas:
  • Identification of appropriate materials for use in rail vehicle applications.
  • Analysis of integrated rail vehicle structures using the appropriate materials. Special attention should be paid to fatigue and fire performance.
  • Production of composite components within the lab to support the overall project.
  • Liaison with project partners at their sites to further the research objectives.
/ 40%
3. /
  • Write up research work for publication and/or contribute to the dissemination at national/international conferences, resulting in successful research outputs.
  • To identify opportunities and assist in writing bids for research grant applications with project partners. Prepare proposals and applications to both external and/or internal bodies for funding or contractual purposes.
/ 20%
4. / Any other duties appropriate to the post as required by their line manager / 10%

Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience

Essential / Desirable
Qualifications/ Education / PhD(or about to obtain) or equivalent in mechanical engineering.
Skills/Training / Strong analytical ability to analyse and illuminate data, interprets reports, evaluate and criticise texts and bring new insights.
Practical engineering skills to enable physical component manufacture and the implementation of an experimental programme.
Ability to use 3D solid modelling software.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate with clarity on complex information. / Knowledge of polymer composites and the ability to manufacture components from these materials.
Experience / Mechanical engineering design skills gained within a team environment.
Experience in use of research methodologies and techniques to work within area. / Previous experience within the rail industry.
Statutory/Legal

Decision Making

i)Taken independently by the role holder;

Day-to-day processes including:

  • Organisation of research
  • Investigation of working methods
  • Identification of research deliverable priorities
  • Structure of research reports and papers
  • Ensuring quality of research deliverables
  • Assessing risks and corrective action
  • Liaison with internal and external resources
  • Development of delivery project plans

ii) Taken in collaboration with others:

  • Agreement of project delivery plans
  • Research direction – form and content
  • Identification of focus for published research findings in peer-reviewed journals and conferences
  • Identification of areas for future research
  • Development of proposals

iii)Referred to the appropriate line manager by the role holder

  • Wider research strategy of our research group
  • Dissemination strategy

Additional Information

This person should expect to make frequent trips to the other partners sites including the National Composite Centre in Bristol and it may be necessary to stay at those locations for short periods in order to develop the project deliverables.
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