Job Description

Job Title:

Research Associate in Vibro-Acoustic Sensing

Posting Start Date:

20/06/2025

Job Id:

1241

School/Department:

Mechanical, Aerospace & Civil Engineering

Work Arrangement:

Full Time (Hybrid)

Contract Type:

Fixed-term

Salary per annum ():

38,249 - 46,735

Closing Date:

20/07/2025
The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.



We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.

Overview

Are you experienced in using applied maths to model an acoustic problem and analyse data? Do you enjoy working collaboratively? This role offers an exciting opportunity to apply your modelling and analytical skills in building and testing an acoustic monitoring tool to detect hidden defects in sewer pipes as a part of the EU multi-institutional project AI:LINERS. The work will be carried out in collaboration with Eindhoven University of Technology, KWB Kompetenzzentrum Wasser Berlin, water utilities companies in Germany and Spain, and some other EU companies providing water infrastructure inspection tools. Working in well known internationally acoustic group at the University of Sheffield, you will embark on developing an approach of remote acoustic sensing of defects invisible for classical imagery inspections (e.g. CCTV) in sewer pipes treated with CIPP lining employing powerful semi-analytical and hybrid (numerical+analytical) acoustic simulations. During the project lifetime, there will be an opportunity to materialise this approach in the form of the acoustic sensing technology and test it in the UK national research facility ICAIR and underground assets of the EU water utility companies. The project is funded by Horizon Europe (HORIZON) and it will involve regular research visits to the project partners in the EU.

Main duties and responsibilities

Develop analytical and hybrid (numerical model will be based on commercial package COMSOL) simulations of multi-modal sound propagation in pipes with elastic walls and in presence of defects Develop acoustic sensor based on the state-of-the-art technologies available to the University of Sheffield team to test the monitoring technique Carry out signal processing of the data collected during the tests Organise and support laboratory/field experiments Organise regular meetings with project partners to facilitate the progress of the research Contribute to writing research papers for peer-reviewed and internationally acclaimed journals Participate in international conferences to showcase the project achievements Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

Essential or desirable

Stage(s) assessed at

A PhD in Engineering, Physics or Applied Mathematics


Essential


Application


Knowledge of modelling of sound propagation in waveguides (assessed at: Interview)


Essential


Interview


Experience with the use of Finite Element Methods in modelling acoustic problems (assessed at: Application form/Interview)


Essential


Application and Interview


Experience with Python or Matlab or any other programming language (assessed at: Application form/Interview)


Essential


Application and Interview


Experience with laboratory work and good understanding of acoustic sensor technology (assessed at: Application form/Interview)


Essential


Application and Interview


Clear and concise written and verbal communication (assessed at: Application form/Interview)


Essential


Application and Interview


Experience in writing research papers for peer-reviewed journals


Essential


Application and Interview


Ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment (assessed at: Application form/Interview)


Essential


Application and Interview


Motivated in learning new methodologies and applying new knowledge

Essential


Interview


Knowledge of the approximate Bayesian machine learning (e.g. MCMC) (assessed at: Application form/Interview)


Desirable


Application and Interview


Experience with the Comsol vibro-acoustics module (assessed at: Application form/Interview)


Desirable


Application and Interview

Further Information

Grade

7

Salary

38,249 - 46,735

Work arrangement

Full-time

Duration

1st September 2025 - 31st August 2028

Line manager

Senior Lecturer

Direct reports

N/A

Our website

https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/mac


For informal enquiries about this job contact Dr Anton Krynkin, line manager: on

a.krynkin

@sheffield.ac.uk

or on

0114 222 7847

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in late July or early August. This will consist of interview and lab tour at the University of Sheffield for short listed candidates. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage in late July. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact mac-recruitment@sheffield.ac.uk

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision ().

What we offer

A minimum of 41days 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. A range of generous family-friendly policies + paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
+ support for those going through the menopause
+ paid time off and support for fertility treatment
+ and more





We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.