Research Associate in Passive Vibration Absorber Synthesis

Work Hours: 35.0 Hours per Week

The role

Vibration-suppression and actuation systems play a critical role in a wide range of engineering structures, including automotive and railway vehicles, buildings, and wind turbines. To improve the resilience, lifetime cost-effectiveness, and carbon efficiency of these systems, there is a pressing need for a step change in the performance of vibration absorbers and actuation technologies. Given the wide range of possible designs spanning mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical domains, advanced synthesis methods are needed to identify optimal solutions. The main purpose of this role is to apply network-synthesis-based techniques to the development of next-generation vibration-suppression systems for a range of industrial sectors, including automotive, railway and wind energy applications. The postholder will work closely with industrial partners and academic researchers to deliver innovative, high-performance solutions with real-world impact.

What will you be doing?

The post holder will be responsible for:

• Supporting academic staff in identifying effective vibration-absorber configurations for a range of real-world applications using network-synthesis-based design techniques.
• Working closely with PhD students and other Research Associates, contributing specialist expertise in vibration suppression, structural dynamics, and optimisation.
• Assisting the line manager in supporting PhD researchers and fostering a collaborative and productive research environment.
• Providing regular updates on research progress and contribute to the preparation of technical and project reports based on research findings.
• Helping to ensure that project activities are delivered to agreed timescales and within resource constraints.

You should apply if

• Have a PhD, or be working towards one, in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Bring strong experience in vibration absorber design, particularly using network-synthesis-based techniques.
• Have a strong background in modelling multidomain vibration absorbers.
• Have research experience in automotive and/or railway vehicle dynamics.
• Be confident communicating technical ideas clearly, both verbally and in writing.
• Enjoy interdisciplinary research, problem-solving and working across different projects and priorities.

Additional information

To find out more about what it's like to work in the Faculty of Engineering, and how the Faculty supports people to achieve their potential, please see our staff blog:

https://engineering.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/category/engineering-includes-me/

Contract type: Fixed term (01/06/26 to 31/08/2026)

Work pattern: 35 hours/week

Shift pattern: Monday - Friday

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on 26/05/2026

Shortlisting is due to take place on 27/05/2026

Interviews are expected to take place on 04/06/2026

For informal queries please contact: Yuan Li, yuan.li@bristol.ac.uk

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