Senior Research Associate - Bioinspiration & Reverse Engineering

The role

A post-doctoral Research Associate position is available at the University of Bristol to implement the remarkable acoustic properties of biological metamaterials into bio-inspired sound absorber prototypes and test them. It is co-funded by a BBSRC Follow-on fund (Biomimetic Microperforated Sound Absorbers) and an EPSRC Impact Acceleration Award (Attacus Metasurface – A leap towards market readiness) and aims at further advancing our prototypes, contributing to the creation of a spinout company, and achieving market readiness.

This interdisciplinary research project sits between biology and mechanical engineering. We have used innovative research methods to characterize the acoustic metamaterial properties of scaled moth wings and showed that they have evolved in response to bat biosonar to provide acoustic camouflage (in analogy to visual camouflage). Our current bio-inspired sound absorber prototypes (patent pending) outperform existing noise control solutions, opening transformative noise control applications for many sizeable market segments. This post will build on our existing prototyping approaches to iteratively improve the performance and simplify the fabrication of bio-inspired sound absorber prototypes producing prototypes measuring several square-meters for acoustic characterisation. In collaboration with other team members this post will focus on the hitherto unexplored acoustic properties of the highly intricate 3-dimensional double-layered nano-porosity of moth wing scales aiming to add their functionality to existing prototype designs. The research will take place at Bristol University led by Professor Marc Holderied. 

What will you be doing?

• Develop and build proof-of-concept prototypes of bio-inspired acoustic metamaterials for noise control solutions.
• Develop, and iteratively refine digital models of prototypes. Fabricate these prototypes and help characterising them acoustically.
• Contribute to potential IP generation.
• Contribute to commercialisation and impact activities.
• Ensure consistency in sampling and storing protocols across the project.
• Collaborate closely with the other researchers on the project.
• Contribute to developing publication and presenting findings in adequate platforms.
• Exhibiting technical and intellectual independence, being participative to all activities involving the other research-active members of the team, including meetings, and discussion groups.
• Working with the PI (Dr Marc Holderied) and other members of the team to ensure there is a roadmap to match deadlines and milestones, and continually review this roadmap on a weekly basis.
• Bring to the attention of managers any matters relating to the health and safety of staff, students and visitors.

You should apply if

You will have a PhD (or be working towards one or have equivalent experience) in a relevant area.

 Essential

• Experience in prototyping.
• Commitment to, and enthusiasm for research in biophysics and material sciences.
• Experience in acoustic analysis and testing.
• Strong CAD experience.
• Interest in impact generation and commercialisation

Desirable

• Experience with COMSOL multi-physics modelling
• Expertise in designing and conducting acoustics experiments
• Experience with working with metamaterials
• Experience with MATLAB software platform

Additional information

For informal enquiries please contact:

Professor Marc Holderied; +44 117 3941190; marc.holderied@bristol.ac.uk

Contract type: Open-ended (fixed term funding until 31/08/2025 with the possibility of extension)

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