Research Associate in Structural Analysis and Design of Composites

About the role

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Department of Mechanical Engineering, working with Prof. Richard Butler and Dr Andy Rhead on next-generation technologies for composite aerostructures. 

Following decades of relative stability, the aerospace sector is open to disruption through the combination of environmental imperatives and ageing aircraft fleets. The EPSRC Prosperity Partnership ZENITH (Zero Emission: the Next-generation of Integrated Technologies for Hydrogen), between GKN Aerospace and the University of Bath, aims to position the UK as a leader in the field in emerging zero emission aircraft.

ZENITH will develop fundamental new knowledge and understanding and deliver globally differentiated solutions in hydrogen energy storage and structures technologies which will have a clear impact on the UK’s aerospace industries and the UK’s 2050 Net Zero targets.

Your role on the project will involve development of reduced order damage models (nonlinear FEA) and new analytical techniques for application of non-standard laminate designs to bonded, postbuckled composite structures.  The new methods will be validated using experimental data and statistical theory, to enable rapid certification and high-rate production of optimised structures.   

You will be working alongside three other Post-Doctoral Researchers and associated PhDs. Significant collaboration with the industrial partner is expected.

This position is offered on a full-time basis, fixed term from 1^st April 2025 to March 2028.

About you

Our ideal candidate will have:

• a PhD in a relevant subject area within Engineering
• experience of numerical methods for structural analysis
• the ability to organise own workload to meet deadlines
• demonstrable awareness of the latest developments in this field

A lower grade offer may be made (Grade 6) with comparable reduction in responsibilities and amendment in job title to Research Assistant, if a suitable applicant cannot be found to fill the Grade 7 position. Applicants will need to be within six months of their course completion date and will be promoted to Research Associate once their PhD has been awarded.

Further information

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Professor Richard Butler at ensrb@bath.ac.uk or Dr Andy Rhead at a.t.rhead@bath.ac.uk.

As a member of Research Staff at the University of Bath, you will be encouraged to take up a minimum of 10 days professional development pro rata per year.

What we can offer you:

• a very generous employer contributory pension scheme
• generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
• we are a family-friendly University and with an increasingly agile workforce, are open to flexible working arrangements
• an excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
• a wide range of personal and professional development opportunities
• a number of support options available for new and existing staff to help with the cost of some immigration expenses which you may be eligible for: Relocation allowance, Visa Reimbursement, Interest-Free Loan.

Find out more about our benefits.

We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. 

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