Research Fellow in Structural Health Monitoring of Composites Using Optical Fibre

FTE: 1.0FTE (Working 37 hours per week)

Duration of Contract: Fixed Term for 1 year

Salary: UH7 £37,099 pa to £44,263 pa by annual increments on achieving designated skills and experience

Annual Leave: 35 days plus standard public holidays and an additional 4 days including the closure of our office between Christmas and New Year

Location: College Lane Campus, Hatfield 

The research fellow post is to support a EPSRC project to create a new technology that incorporates smart monitoring into process control, evaluation and through-life monitoring of high value composite assets. It strategically brings together academics from 6 UK Universities (University of Southampton, University of Bristol, University of Warwick, Wrexham Glyndwr University, University of Hertfordshire and University of Nottingham), to create and evolve the sensor concert into case study exemplars related to critical need in composite manufacturing. As part of UH, you will need to demonstrate optical and mechanical performance and monitoring during composite cure as well as the response to complex multiaxial loading in a multidirectional composite lay-up. 

The Research Fellows will have to attend project meetings, support the Principal Investigator (Academic Lead), collaborate with the consortium’s partner members, and demonstrate the optical and mechanical performance and monitoring during composite cure as well as response to complex multiaxial loading, writing of publications, reports and relevant documents to the project. 

Main duties and responsibilities

To support the Principal Investigator in achieving the project milestones and attend project meetings as required. To physically test the accuracy of the sensors, mechanical strength of the optical fibres and structural integrity when embedded into structural components. To Relate multi-dimensional strains and temperature readings to the quality of the manufactured component, with an ability to inform process parameters and through-life monitoring. To contribute to the design and organisation of the R&D project and assist with project administration. To assist with collating and writing publications, the project reports and working papers.

Skills and experience required

The successful candidate will have experience in composite manufacturing and knowledge of composites and expected fundamental understanding of microstructural features of composites. You will have the ability to numerically model composite processing or composite failure using software (e.g., Abaqus and Ansys)). You will have good IT skills, including the use of MS office which are essential for this role.

You will have research experience in composite damage identification and prediction (e.g., thermoplastic) and a record of scholarly work such as published work in peer reviewed composites related journals. Excellent interpersonal, and presentation skills are essential for the role as well as being flexible and adaptable to workload and team requirements. You will work effectively in a team and be able to demonstrate initiative and the ability to learn new skills.

Qualifications required

You will be educated with a degree (or equivalent level 6 qualification) or higher qualification in a relevant discipline. You will also have a PhD (or equivalent level 8 qualification) or equivalent experience in composites and materials science.

Please view the job description & person specification for a full list of the duties & essential criteria. Please attach a personal statement showing clearly how your skills & experience match the Person Specification.

An appointment to this role may require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.

Contact Details/Informal Enquiries: Dr Yiding Liu (y.liu@herts.ac.uk), Lecturer in Aerospace Engineering

Closing Date: 28 May 2024

Interview Date: TBC

Apply online via the above ‘Apply’ button.

Advert information