Research Fellow in Numerical Modelling of Lightweight Aerospace Structures

FTE: 1 FTE (working 37 hours per week)

Duration of Contract: Fixed term

Salary: UH7 £38,249 pa with potential to progress to £45,413 pa by annual increments

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

Main duties and responsibilities

The postholder will contribute to the evolution of an ongoing research programme on the numerical modelling of lightweight aerospace structures subjected to impact loading. The post requires expert knowledge and experience in at least one of the following areas: (i) development of numerical modelling tools (preferably meshless methods such as the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics Method); (ii) dynamic response (crashworthiness, impact loading) of lightweight structures (aerospace, automotive preferably); (iii) advanced modelling techniques such as multi-scale modelling or task-based parallelism; (iv) modelling of manufacturing processes such as additive manufacturing, resin infusion, welding.  

Skill and experience required

The post holder will require proven experience working in a research environment or team, supported by research experience in the subject area including, as appropriate, collaborative partnerships with other HEI’s or external partners. You will hold a record of scholarly work such as published work in peer reviewed journals and have experience of presenting research findings such as contributions to conferences and symposia at a local and national level.

You will have a knowledge of research methodology appropriate for the subject area and of appropriate databases for the discipline and ability to conduct literature searches in the discipline using appropriate electronic resources. You will be able to deal with sensitive material with strict confidentiality, applying a methodical approach with good attention to detail.

You must possess excellent interpersonal and presentation skills in spoken and written English. You will be flexible and adaptable to workload and team requirements whilst working effectively in a team setting, being able to demonstrate initiative and the ability to learn new skills. 

You will have good IT skills, including the use of MS Office, you are numerate and literate, and are able to work to tight deadlines, dealing with conflicting priorities working accurately under pressure. You must be able to collect, process and present data and deal with sensitive material with strict confidentiality with tact and diplomacy. You will have a can-do attitude to problem solving whilst demonstrating commitment to continuous development.

Qualifications required

You will require an undergraduate degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline, and a PhD (or equivalent qualification), or close to completion of PhD (no more than 3 months prior to viva) in a relevant subject area.

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

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

This post cannot be visa sponsored unless the applicant has a PhD / Doctorate.

Contact Details/Informal Enquiries:

Dr Tom De Vuyst (t.de-vuyst@herts.ac.uk) – Reader in Aerospace Structures – Head of Materials & Structures Research Group

Dr Antonios Kanellopoulos (a.kanellopoulos@herts.ac.uk) – Director of the Centre for Engineering Research

Closing Date: 14 July 2025

Interview Date: TBC

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