Research Associate in Experimental Granular Mechanics

Full Time

The appointment will be on UCL Grade 7. The salary range will be £32,375 - £39,132 per annum, inclusive of London Allowance.

Applications are invited for the post of Research Associate in the Department of Earth Sciences at University College London to work on a new multi-disciplinary EPSRC project titled “a soil and magma mechanics approach to cast metals manufacturing”.   We seek to develop a new granular framework for semi-solid alloy deformation within an over-arching framework for soils, partially-molten magmas and other granular materials. The project is a collaboration between Imperial College, University College London and Osaka University (Japan) and combines aspects of Materials Science, Geotechnical Engineering and Earth Sciences.

The successful candidate will report to Professor Peter Sammonds and will develop hot (~550°C) triaxial compression apparatus for semi-solid Al alloys building from existing rock mechanics apparatus. The postholder will then perform a series of tests on semi-solid aluminium alloys to measure the stress-strain and volumetric strain behaviour as a function of solid fraction, confining pressure and deformation rate, and interpret the results using Critical State Soil Mechanics concepts. Applicants must have the flexibility to work at both UCL and Imperial College (approx. 45 minutes door-to-door by public transport) as both granular and metallurgical facilities are required.

The post is funded by EPSRC for three years in the first instance.

Candidates will have a PhD, or thesis submitted subject to examination, in experimental granular mechanics with experience in some or all of: development of apparatus for the mechanical testing of granular materials, conducting triaxial compression experiments, and interpreting mechanical data within a Critical State Soil Mechanics framework.

The post holder will have a strong track record of publication and will be expected to communicate their work at major international conferences, as well as collaborating with team members. It is expected that the post holder will use the position to develop their track record towards the goal of attaining a faculty position at a world-leading institution.

UCL vacancy reference: 1325672

Applicants should apply online. To access further details about the position and how to apply please click on the ‘Apply Now’ button below.

Further guidance on the application procedure may be sought from Ms Leisa Clemente ( l.clemente@ucl.ac.uk ). Informal enquiries regarding the vacancy to Prof. Sammonds ( p.sammonds@ucl.ac.uk ) are also welcomed.

Closing Date: 26 May 2013

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