Faculty of Engineering
Term: Fixed Term (24 months)
FTE: 3 x 1 FTE, although applications are welcome for those seeking part-time opportunities or job shares
The Sensor Enabled Research & Control Hub (SEARCH) at the University of Strathclyde are seeking to recruit a number of Senior R&D Engineers to develop, manage and coordinate R&D activities focused on in-process inspection of fusion welding and additive manufacturing operations within large multi-partner collaborative research projects.
SEARCH focusses on automated in-process inspection of high-value components at the point of manufacture, working alongside industrial partners in the Energy, Marine, Defence and Aerospace sectors. Featuring a new £2.1M laboratory and housing state-of-the-art equipment, SEARCH aims to deliver impact at pace and scale to key external partners.
Traditionally, the welding or additive manufacture and inspection of such components are distinctly separate manufacturing processes. This ultimately limits productivity and throughput along with increased re-work if defects are only detected post-build. We are investigating novel in-process ultrasonic inspection directly at the point of joining and deposition. This allows detection of imperfections and flaws as they occur, reducing rework and removes redundant mid-stage inspections, delivering high-quality components right, first time.
You will form part of an amazing, diverse and inclusive team of talented people consisting of 8 academics, over 35 researchers/PhD Students and multiple technicians that provide specialist knowledge and technical expertise across a range of innovative technologies.
As a SEARCH R&D Engineer, you’ll have a role that’s out of the ordinary – Working alongside SEARCH colleagues you will ensure the latest cutting-edge novel innovations and impact are delivered to industry and society within the agreed budget, timescales and quality. Daily activities within the role will include one or more of the following depending on skills and experience:
- design and development of high-temperature, in-process phased array ultrasonic transducers, mechanical sensor rig and deployment devices
- programming of welding and inspection systems
- collecting inspection data from industrial components
- interpreting the inspection results.
To be considered for the role, you will have a good honours degree and PhD / higher degree (or equivalent professional experience) in appropriate discipline. (e.g. mechanical & electrical engineering, physics, automation); or have equivalent relevant experience in addition to a relevant Degree. You will have an ability to conduct individual research work, manage and supervise other researchers, disseminate results and be responsible for acquisition of funding (as PI/Co-I). You will have excellent written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to listen, engage and persuade and to present complex information in an accessible way to a range of audiences, and you will have the ability to work as part of a team, integrating with existing research team members and collaborating effectively with both academic and industrial partners.
The Senior R&D Engineer will be required to travel to partner sites for technical meetings and project demonstrations on a regular basis and, as such, applicants must be willing and able to travel. Applications from candidates with a valid UK driving licence are therefore desirable.
Informal enquiries about the post can be directed to Prof. Charles MacLeod, Professor (ch*************@st****.uk).
