Research Associate - Fixed Term Contract (CT6357)

This post presents a rare opportunity for someone with extremely strong Computer Programming skills to work with Dr Paul Shepherd and his Digital Architectonics research team in the Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering.  The Department is internationally recognised as a leading centre for research in the built environment and was ranked equal first in the Architecture, Built Environment and Planning Unit of Assessment in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework.

The project, entitled “Automated Concrete Construction”, will devise novel geometric modelling, structural analysis and optimisation techniques, with particular application to the automated manufacture of non-prismatic concrete elements (beams, columns, floors).  The project is part of a joint research collaboration with the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge and the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Dundee.  A large team of the country’s leading architects, structural engineers and building contractors are also involved as project partners.  The post holder will be expected to engage in knowledge exchange secondments with researcher collaborators and industry partners during the period of the project

The successful candidate will ideally have a PhD in a field related to Computational Building Design / Optimisation, or if not, will have exceptional skills in Computer Programming and Robotics Control, and a desire to improve the construction industry.  They will be highly numerate and have skills in algorithm design and computer programming.  Since the project is developing techniques for direct use by the construction industry, a track record of writing plug-ins for industry standard modelling software would be an advantage.

The project’s strong industry engagement and dissemination ethos means that the successful candidate must possess the confidence and ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of project partners and non-specialists.  They will be expected to undertake, under the guidance of Dr Shepherd, research at the leading edge of computational design and manufacture, and to disseminate the results in high-impact journals & conferences targeted at both academics and practitioners.

This post will be available on a full-time basis (36.5 hours per week), with a fixed term ending on 31 Dec 2021.  The successful candidate would be asked to start as soon as possible after the proposed interview date.

For informal enquiries about the position please contact Dr Shepherd directly, either by email (p.shepherd@bath.ac.uk) or telephone (+44 1225 38 4406).

Closing Date: 06 Jan 2019
Type: Education & Research