Overview
An exciting opportunity for a Postdoctoral Researcher exists within the School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering at the University of Sheffield. The University of Sheffield are partners in an European Union project and regional development projects that requires pioneering a ground‑breaking, distinctive system‑level approaches to solid‑state processing and alloy development dedicated to the pressing challenge of maximising the life of high‑integrity sector products. Encompassing technical, business model, supply chain, culture, risk, standards and commercial considerations, the STAR group are delivering tighter circularity loops in high‑integrity engineering sectors.
This post will work to develop solid‑state processing routes from waste streams, develop new steel and titanium alloys for forging processes in order to create mechanical properties for new components produced from recycled critical metals.
The research post will also use equipment in the Henry Royce Institute at the University of Sheffield which is part of the UK’s national centre for advanced materials research, innovation and commercialisation.
Responsibilities
- Write a literature review and supporting documents to contribute to and support the work of the Research team, e.g. reports and interim reports. Carry out administrative roles as required.
- Plan research effectively and report to the supervisory team.
- Coordinate and liaise with industrial members of the project team and industry collaborators.
- Continuously monitor and check results. The unpredictability of research means that daily planning needs to accommodate new developments.
- Conduct alloy development through melt and non‑melt routes and subsequent thermomechanical processing and forming trials.
- Characterise the microstructure of material produced used during solid‑state processing trials, using standard metallographic preparation and electron backscatter diffraction and transmission electron microscopy techniques.
- Utilise appropriate finite element and multi‑physics modelling software to support the research deliverables.
- Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.
Qualifications
- Essential: A PhD, or a relevant equivalent qualification, in a science or engineering discipline.
- Essential: A strong scientific or engineering background with a broad knowledge of Advanced Materials research, specific expertise in thermomechanical processing, titanium and/or steel alloy development and an ability to understand and communicate its key technological aspects.
- Essential: Experience of working in multiscale materials modelling.
- Essential: Experience of traditional metals processing of titanium and steel in an industrial environment.
- Desirable: Experience in solid‑state powder and swarf processing and hot forging.
- Essential: Experience in interpreting flow stress and field‑assisted sintering data.
- Essential: High level of competency in electron microscopy (SEM, EBSD and TEM).
- Essential: Experience in non‑destructive evaluation and mechanical testing methods.
- Desirable: Ability to plan, organise and execute to ensure the production of the agreed deliverables to the project plan.
- Essential: Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, and an ability to deal with both scientific and commercial issues authoritatively.
- Essential: Self‑motivation and the capability of being a team player as well as a team leader.
Salary, Grade and Duration
Grade: 7
Salary: £38,784 - £47,389 per annum
Duration: Fixed‑term until 31.05.2029
Working arrangement: Full‑time
Line manager: Professor Martin Jackson
Direct reports: N/A
Benefits
- Minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
- Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
- Generous pension scheme.
- A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
- A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
- Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
- A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways / Professional Services Shared Skills Framework.
- A range of generous family‑friendly policies
- paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
- access to menopause support in the workplace
- paid time off and support for fertility treatment
- and more
More details can be found on our benefits page: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits
Contact
For informal enquiries, contact Professor Martin Jackson at martin.jackson@sheffield.ac.uk.
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