Job profile

College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences

The post

The College wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate/Fellow to embed findings from an EPSRC funded project on debris-induced bridge scour into bridge management practice. This post funded by an EPSRC Impact Acceleration Award and the Devon County Council is available full time on a one year fixed term basis from 1^st November 2018 up to 31^st October 2019. The successful applicant will work with the Council to improve their procedures for managing debris and the risks it poses to bridges through analytical and field studies, and then disseminate findings to the wider bridge engineering community. The applicant will also engage with Highways England to update existing guidance documents on bridge scour according to research findings and field trials.  

The post will require active engagement with Devon County Council to identify bridges at risk to debris blockage, performing scour risk assessments, undertaking field investigations in rivers and trialling debris mitigation procedures. 

About you

For a Postdoctoral Research Associate:

-       You will be able to present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information, orally, in writing and electronically and prepare proposals and applications to external bodies.

-       You will possess a relevant PhD (or be nearing completion) or equivalent qualification/experience in a relevant field of study and be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes.

For a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, in addition to the above, you will:

-       Be able to develop research objectives, projects and   proposals; identify sources of research funding and contribute to the process of securing funds and make presentations at conferences and other events.

-       Possess a PhD in civil engineering or equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study.

-     Be a recognised authority in bridge scour and hydraulics, and possess sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline to develop research programmes and methodologies.

-       Be able to work collaboratively, supervise the work of others and act as team leader as required.

-       Have an understanding of current approaches and procedures for scour risk assessment, and the skills and knowledge essential to translating laboratory and numerical investigations on fluid flow around bridge piers for real-life applications.

To view the Postdoctoral Research Associate Job Description and Person Specification document please click here.

To view the Postdoctoral Research Fellow Job Description and Person Specification document please click here.

For further information please contact Dr Prakash Kripakaran, e-mail p.kripakaran@exeter.ac.uk or telephone (01392) 726581.

The closing date for completed applications is 29^th October 2018. 

Interviews are expected to take place on 12^th November 2018.

What we can offer you

-      Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research;

-      Support teams that understand the University wide research and teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly

-      An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development

-      Our Exeter Academic initiative supporting high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career

-       A multitude of staff benefits including sector leading benefits around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), Paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay), and a new Fertility Treatment Policy

-       A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon

The University of Exeter is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities.  We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, and have achieved a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2017. The University of Exeter has over 22,000 students and 4600 staff from 180 different countries and has been rated the WhatUni2017 International Student Choice. Our research focuses on some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today, with 98% of our research rated as being of international quality in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework. We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students.

The University of Exeter is an equal opportunity employer.  We are officially recognised as a Disability Confident employer, an Athena Swan accredited institution and a Stonewall Diversity Champion. Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented in the workforce. 

The department is proud to have a Bronze Athena SWAN award in recognition of their commitment to providing equality of opportunity and advancing the representation of women in STEM/M subjects. All of the University of Exeter's STEM/M departments hold an Athena SWAN award.