Job Overview

Research Associate in Geotechnical/Robotic Engineering

The role

We are looking for a new post-doctoral researcher to drive forward the EPSRC-SFI research project: “ROBOCONE: intelligent robotics for next generation ground investigation and design”. As part of a joint research project between University of Bristol, University of Southampton and Trinity College Dublin, you will be part of a multi-disciplinary research team, aiming to develop a new geotechnical site investigation tool to provide advanced characterisation of soil properties and their use in modern geotechnical infrastructure design.

More information about the project is available here: https://www.researchgate.net/project/ROBOCONE-intelligent-robotics-for-next-generation-ground-investigation-and-design

As a research associate based in Bristol, you will lead the Bristol’s contribution in the project which consists in the design and the development of the ROBOCONE tool, including its testing in the laboratory and in the field for a range of soil conditions. You will have access to state of the art facilities including the Advanced Geomechanics Laboratory, the national Soil-Foundation-Structure Interaction Laboratory and the Bristol Robotics Laboratory. You will closely collaborate with researchers in Southampton (leading the numerical development for interpreting ROBOCONE’s data and use them in the design) and at Trinity College Dublin (leading large scale testing of ROBOCONE in the calibration chamber and in a sandy soil site). The project is supported by a strong committee of industrial and academic partners.

What will you be doing?

Over the next 36 months you will:

• Lead the mechanical design and development of the new ROBOCONE site investigation tool;
• Develop a new small scale calibration chamber for testing ROBOCONE in the laboratory environment;
• Liaising with manufacturing technicians and equipment/transducer suppliers;
• Lead the testing of the developed ROBOCONE tool in the Bristol’s geomechanics laboratory;
• Closely collaborate with the other project partners and support the numerical and field testing aspects of the project;
• Assist with the development and training of junior researchers working in the project;
• Although working under the general guidance of a senior academic or Principal Investigator, you will contribute ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of the study, to the research project, thus providing substantial ‘added value’;
• Present information on research progress and outcomes to project partners and the advisory committee of the research project;
• Contribute to the writing up of the research project and its dissemination, either through seminar and conference presentations or through publications;
• Maintenance of academic standards and freedom, and work in accordance with university policies (e.g. equal opportunities, health and safety policies);
• Work to deadlines and manage, with support, competing priorities.

You should apply if

• You have expertise in design and development of new engineering equipment
• You have experience of experimental engineering research
• You hold a relevant postgraduate research degree or equivalent professional qualification/experience or be working towards one
• You are able to work collaboratively and effectively with colleagues and students
• You have excellent communication skills and can clearly articulate verbally and in writing
• You have excellent ability to organise your own time and work, to meet deadlines, and manage competing priorities.

Additional information

For informal queries, please contact, Dr Andrea Diambra, andrea.diambra@bristol.ac.uk

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://engineeringincludesme.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/

We welcome applications from all members of our community and are particularly encouraging those from diverse groups, such as members of the LGBT+ and BAME communities, to join us.

Apply Now!!