Research Associate in Mechanical Vibrations and Advanced Manufacturing

Job reference: SAE-028392
Salary: £37,174 per annum
Faculty/Organisational unit: Science and Engineering
Location: Oxford Road
Employment type: Fixed Term
Division/Team: Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering
Hours per week: Full Time (1 FTE)
Closing date (DD/MM/YYYY): 03/04/2025
Contract duration: 12 months
School/Directorate: School of Engineering

The University of Manchester values a diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. The University of Manchester’s School of Engineering has world-famous research groups specialised on mechanical vibrations and advanced manufacturing. There are wide range of facilities/capabilities in vibration measurement and analysis, mechanical characterisation and dimensional metrology.

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering has over 80 members of academic staff that are supported by dedicated administration and technical support groups. We have over 1000 undergraduates, more than 400 taught full-time and part-time postgraduate students and over 200 postgraduate research students. We run undergraduate courses in mechanical, aerospace and civil engineering and several specialist MSc courses.

A significant proportion of our research is practically based, and funded by industry, which ensures that teaching on our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes is up-to date and world-leading.

Renthal is a global leader in the manufacturing, design, and sales of bicycle, motorcycle, and ATV parts and accessories. The current cycle product portfolio includes handlebars, stems, grips, pedals and chainrings. Renthal is a global brand, but the manufacturing heart is in Manchester, UK. Additionally, Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki currently choose to fit Renthal handlebars as original equipment. Renthal has attained 259 World Championships and 266 US titles in motorcycling and already 11 World Championships in cycling.

Further information on Renthal Ltd. can be found at: https://www.renthal.com/

Overall Purpose of the Job

As a Research Associate, the successful candidate will lead on the development of a methodology to improve the handlebar design of bicycles to reduce the vibration exposure to the cyclist. The current bicycle design seems to experience high handlebar vibrations on the rough surface and hence the cyclists are subjected to unacceptable levels of forces and vibrations on hands, wrists and arms. This may lead to the fatigue and discomfort for the athletes as well as the regular cyclists. Hence, the proposed research project aims to modify the handlebar design to control the vibration level. By combining new engineering materials and by applying the state-of-the-art dynamic system identification methods, the Research Associate must lead to provide and demonstrate the best potential design solutions.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we support an inclusive working environment and welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Zekai Murat Kilic

Email: zekaimurat.kilic@manchester.ac.uk

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