Research Associate in Structural Integrity Job in Manchester , England

Research Associate in Structural Integrity Job Description

THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL, AEROSPACE AND CIVIL ENGINEERING
Research Associate in Structural Integrity

The School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering (MACE) wishes to appoint a two-year Research Associate in the field of Structural Integrity to join a fully-funded research project under the UK-India Civil Nuclear Collaboration.  This research project aims to transfer small-scale specimen data to large-scale structural components. The successful applicant will contribute to our international reputation and growing research portfolio in Structural Integrity.

This research project aims to validate practical defect assessment methods on real large-scale piping (straight pipes and elbows) components tested in India and to develop these methods to account for the effects of mixed mode loading, weld strength mismatch, loss of constraint and large deformations. Microstructural models of ductile fracture initiation and growth will also be applied in the project to accurately reproduce the complex, large-scale component response. The successful applicant will be expected to interact closely with the international collaborators in India and the UK university partners at Bristol, Oxford and Open Universities, as well as interested industrial partners.

You must have a PhD or equivalent in a Structural Integrity related topic. Experience with fracture mechanics assessment methods using failure assessment diagrams is highly desirable.  Familiarity with finite element analysis is an advantage.  A good publication record appropriate to experience is also desirable. The successful applicant will be a highly-motivated individual with high quality communication skills and proven team membership skills as travel to India to discuss the detailed experimental results will be necessary.

Job title:  Research Associate in Structural Integrity
Salary: Grade 6 (currently £29,541 - £36,298 p.a.)
Start/duration:  Tenable to 31 December 2014
Probation period:             9 months 
Based at:  The University of Manchester 
Responsible to:   Professor Robert Ainstworth

Overall Purpose of the Job:

The School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering (MACE) wishes to appoint a two-year Research Associate in the field of Structural Integrity to join a fully-funded research project under the UK-India Civil Nuclear Collaboration.  This research project aims to transfer small-scale specimen data to large-scale structural components. The successful applicant will contribute to our international reputation and growing research portfolio in Structural Integrity.

Key Responsibilities, Accountabilities or Duties:

This research project aims to validate practical defect assessment methods on real large-scale piping (straight pipes and elbows) components tested in India and to develop these methods to account for the effects of mixed mode loading, weld strength mismatch, loss of constraint and large deformations.  Within the project, microstructural models of ductile fracture initiation and growth will also be applied to accurately reproduce the complex, large- scale component response.The successful applicant will be expected to interact closely with the international  collaborators in India and the UK university partners at Bristol, Oxford and Open Universities, as well as interested industrial partners.

JOB DESCRIPTION
This research project (Transferability of small-specimen data to large-scale component fracture assessment) is funded by EPSRC within the framework of collaborative UK-India civil nuclear research programmes. The project aims to validate practical defect assessment methods on real large-scale piping (straight pipes and elbows) components tested in India and to develop these methods to account for the effects of mixed mode loading, weld strength mismatch, loss of  constraint and large deformations.  Within the project, microstructural models of ductile fracture initiation and growth will also be applied to accurately reproduce the complex, large-scale component response.

The project lead is Professor Bob Ainsworth (The University of Manchester) and the project also involves Oxford University, Bristol University and The Open University in the UK and the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in India. 
You will be supervised by Professor Bob Ainsworth (The University of Manchester). The successful applicant will be expected to interact closely with the international collaborators in India and the UK university partners at Bristol, Oxford and Open Universities, as well as
interested industrial partners.
http://gow.epsrc.ac.uk/NGBOViewGrant.aspx?GrantRef=EP/K007815/1

Main Responsibilities

The successful applicant will be a highly-motivated individual with high quality communication skills and proven team membership skills as travel to India to discuss the detailed experimental results will be necessary.

• Liaison and collaboration with colleagues in the UK and India.
• Data collection tools and databases.
• Analysis using advanced fracture mechanics techniques and comparison with experimental data.
• Writing progress reports and publications.
• Assisting with the interpretation, writing up, and dissemination of findings.
• Input into ongoing projects as required.

Research Associate in Structural Integrity Job Requirements

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

• Educated to degree level or equivalent (2.1 or above) in mechanical engineering or a structural integrity related discipline;
• previous research experience with a PhD or equivalent in a Structural Integrity related topic;
• an ability to demonstrate numerical accuracy and attention to detail;
• a familiarity with standard IT packages;
• experience of report writing;
• excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written);
• an ability to prioritise and manage own workload and work to deadlines;
• an ability to self-motivate and work independently;
• an ability to work collaboratively as part of a team;
• a willingness to undertake further training.

• Experience with fracture mechanics assessment methods using failure assessment diagrams is highly desirable.;
• Project management skills;
• Familiarity with finite element analysis is an advantage;
• A good publication record appropriate to experience is also desirable.

Research Associate in Structural Integrity Application Information

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Research Associate in Structural Integrity Summary

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