Research Fellow in Active Control (1264020DA)

You will work as a part of a team on the development of intelligent systems for low noise environments, being supported by the multi-million pound EPSRC Prosperity Partnership with BAE Systems, Lloyds Register and the University of Nottingham’s Centre for Additive Manufacturing within the Signal Processing and Control Group of the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research.

The particular application focus for this research position is in maritime systems, where main and auxiliary machinery can cause problems associated with crew and passenger comfort, structural integrity and where increasingly radiated noise is seen as a hazard for marine life. Although a range of passive vibration and noise control measures are used in practice, they do not provide effective control at low frequencies. This programme will, therefore, focus on the development of innovative and effective solutions for a range of noise and vibration control problems. This includes active noise and vibration control solutions, advanced passive noise control technologies, such as Metamaterials and Acoustic Black Holes, and the use of design and topology optimisation methods for the design of low noise structures. The programme will investigate how noise and vibration control systems can be optimised for subjective performance and consider how control and harvesting of vibration can be integrated into a unified design approach.

Although the overall research programme is broad; you will contribute to the programme’s objective of developing novel and intelligent structures for low noise environments. It is essential you have a PhD or equivalent professional qualifications and experience* in acoustical engineering, signal processing, control or a related area. Ideally you will have experience in the design and implementation of practical passive and/or active control systems, as well as an ability to undertake analytical and numerical analysis, including the use of numerical modelling packages such as Comsol and ANSYS.

Due to the collaborative nature of this programme, you will benefit from working closely with our industrial sponsors and be responsible for developing systems from fundamental concepts through to full-scale industrial application. This will provide the opportunity for career development within an industrially focussed research environment with the high potential for employment in either the academic or industrial sectors.

Although the position is initially for a fixed term of 12 months, there is a high probability of extension - dependent upon funding, as the Intelligent Structures for Low Noise Environments research programme runs for a further 4 years.

Informal enquiries are welcomed by contacting Dr Jordan Cheer: j.cheer@soton.ac.uk.

You will join the world-renowned Institute of Sound and Vibration Research, which has a strong legacy of improving health and wellbeing internationally. We are part of the School of Engineering, which was rated as number one for research power in general engineering in REF2014 and has an excellent record of collaborative research with industry and academic institutions in the UK and abroad.

Equality, diversity and inclusion is central to the ethos in the School of Engineering.  In recognition of our continued commitment to improving equality for women in science we were awarded an Athena SWAN bronze in 2013 and 2016.   We give full consideration to applicants that wish to work flexibly including part-time and due consideration will be given to applicants who have taken a career break. The University has a generous maternity policy**, and onsite childcare facilities.

The University of Southampton is in the top 1% of world universities and in the top 10 of the UK’s research-intensive universities. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and being a globally responsible university and has recently been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.  Our vision is to embed the principles of sustainability into all aspects of our individual and collective work, integrating sustainable development into our business planning, policy-making, and professional activities.This commits all of our staff and students to take responsibility for managing their activities to minimise harm to the environment, whether this is through switching off non-essential electrical equipment or using the recycling facilities.

*Applications will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification. The title of Research fellow will be applied upon completion of the PhD.  Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given.

**subject to qualifying criteria

Application Procedure

You should submit your completed online application form at www.jobs.soton.ac.uk. The application deadline will be midnight on the closing date stated above. If you need any assistance, please call Annabelle Trimm (Recruitment Team) on +44 (0) 23 8059 4043. Please quote reference 1264020DA on all correspondence.

Closing Date: 15 May 2020
Post Type: Education, Research & Enterprise