Research Associate (713790)

This post is concerned with delivering innovations that would enable the design of products with significantly reduced life cycle impacts, while by passing the limitations of traditional Life Cycle Analysis systems. It will involve work with with academics and industry from a range of disciplines and capability to work independently and in teams.

FTE: 1 (35 hours/week)
Contract Type: Fixed Term (18 months)

This position is part of the EPSRC Manufacturing Research Hub in Resource-Enabled Sustainable Circular Automation Manufacturing (RESCU-M²), which involves 7 UK research institutions and 35 stakeholder organisations. The 7-year durations project aims to make the UK world leading in circular manufacturing by creating a manufacturing ecosystem for circular resource use of high value products through the unlocking of advances in AI, Robotics and Intelligent Automation.  This particular post is concerned with delivering innovations to enable the design of products with minimal life cycle impacts. It will explore the application of emerging technologies such as Chatbots and deep learning to enable effective decision making in design for minimal lifecycle impacts. It will also assist in the development of circular business models.

Understanding of the need for sustainability and appreciation of strategies such as Re-X processes (repair, reconditioning, remanufacturing etc) and the circular economy (CE) and their potential impacts on sustainable manufacturing is required.  Ability to work effectively individually and in teams with a wide range of interdisciplinary stakeholders from industry and academia is required. Proven communication, with effective written and oral communication skills also required.  As the post will use expertise in environmental impacts assessment and development of an AI tool/ system the following are examples of relevant backgrounds for it.

As a Research Associate, under the general guidance of a research leader, you will develop research objectives and proposals, play a lead role in relation to a specific project/s or part of a broader project, conduct individual and/or collaborative research, contribute to the development of new research methods, identify sources of funding, and contribute to the securing of funds for research, including drafting grant proposals and planning for future proposals. You will write up research work for publication, individually or in collaboration with colleagues, and disseminate the results via peer reviewed journal publications and presentation at conferences. You will join external networks to share information and ideas, inform the development of research objectives and to identify potential sources of funding. You will collaborate with colleagues to ensure that research advances inform departmental teaching effort and you will collaborate with colleagues on the development of knowledge exchange activities by, for example, participating in initiatives which establish research links with industry and influence public policy and the professions. You will supervise student projects, provide advice to students and contribute to teaching as required by, for example, running tutorials and supervising practical work. You will contribute in a developing capacity to Department/School, Faculty and/or University administrative and management functions and committees and engage in continuous professional development.

To be considered for the role, you will be educated to a minimum of PhD level in an appropriate discipline e.g. Engineering, manufacturing, management or artificial intelligence and machine learning. Alternatively, you must have significant relevant experience in addition to a relevant degree. Knowledge of computer programming languages and environmental impact assessment tools such as LCA would be a plus. You will have sufficient breadth or depth of knowledge in sustainable manufacturing and ability to conduct individual research work, to disseminate results, and to prepare research proposals. You will have an ability to plan and organise your own workload effectively and an ability to work within a team environment. You will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to listen, engage and persuade, and to present complex information in an accessible way to a range of audiences. Capability for academic writing experience of relevant student supervision and teaching activities is required for this post.

Whilst not essential for the role, applications are welcomed from candidates with relevant membership of Chartered/professional bodies (including the Higher Education Academy) and relevant work experience and/or experience of knowledge exchange related activities.

*Whilst a Post-Doctoral Research Associate is ideally sought for this position; applications from candidates who are close to PhD completion or whose award is pending, are welcome. In such circumstances, the appointment will be made at Research Assistant level (RS06 salary scale £32,546 -£36,130) and duties will be adjusted to reflect the grade of the post. This will continue until the PhD award is confirmed, at which point the duties and grade will be revised accordingly.

Informal enquiries about the post can be directed to Winifred Ijomah, Professor (w.l.ijomah@strath.ac.uk).

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