Research Associate
Job summary
The Mechanics of Infrastructure Materials research group are looking to hire a Research Associate to work in the prediction of hydrogen-assisted failures using computational methods. The Research Associate will work under the supervision of Dr Emilio Martínez-Pañeda and the project is supported by TENARIS. Hydrogen embrittlement is arguably the biggest threat to the deployment of a hydrogen energy infrastructure and the cause of numerous...
Job listing information
- Reference ENG02096
- Date posted 31 March 2022
- Closing date 28 April 2022
Job description
Job summary
The Mechanics of Infrastructure Materials research group are looking to hire a Research Associate to work in the prediction of hydrogen-assisted failures using computational methods. The Research Associate will work under the supervision of Dr Emilio Martínez-Pañeda and the project is supported by TENARIS.
Hydrogen embrittlement is arguably the biggest threat to the deployment of a hydrogen energy infrastructure and the cause of numerous structural integrity problems in the transport, defence, marine and construction sectors. When exposed to hydrogen, metallic materials exhibit a significant drop in ductility and fracture toughness (of up to 90%). Building upon recent developments in multi-physics modelling and computational fracture mechanics (e.g., phase field), there is an opportunity now to deliver predictions over technologically-relevant scales and map safe regimes of operation.
The Research Associate will have access to state-of-the-art HPC facilities and codes. The initial term will be one year. The starting date is relatively flexible, with a preference for the period June-September 2022.
Duties and responsibilities
You will be responsible for conducting finite element analyses to predict the failure of materials and components due to hydrogen assisted cracking. You will be expected to have (or develop) a sound understanding of fracture mechanics and combine sophisticated calculations with first-order insight from sound analytical methods. You will likely use COMSOL or ABAQUS but it will likely be possible to also utilise in-house or open-source codes. You will be expected to tackle both fundamental and applied problems. You will also be expected to take part in collaborative work, take part in the activities of the research group, submit publications to reputed journals and liaise with academic collaborators and sponsors.
Essential requirements
You must have obtained or be close to obtaining a PhD in engineering, mathematics, physics, materials science, or other closely-related disciplines. Also, you should have experience in at least one of the following:
- Finite element analysis
- ABAQUS or COMSOL
- Fracture Mechanics
- Multi-physics modelling
- Phase field fracture
- Hydrogen embrittlement
Further information
For informal enquiries about the post please contact Dr Emilio Martínez-Pañeda e.martinez-paneda@imperial.ac.uk
Any queries regarding the application process should be directed to Briony Webb b.webb@imperial.ac.uk
Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as a Research Assistant within the salary range £36,694 - £39,888 per annum.
Please make sure to upload a CV and a cover letter with your application
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Additional information
Please note that job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, and the post-holder may be required to undertake other duties, which are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.
Imperial College is committed to equality of opportunity and to eliminating discrimination. All employees are expected to follow the Imperial Values & Behaviours framework. Our values are:
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- Excellence
- Integrity
- Innovation
In addition to the above, employees are required to observe and comply with all College policies and regulations.
We are committed to equality of opportunity, to eliminating discrimination and to creating an inclusive working environment for all. We therefore encourage candidates to apply irrespective of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion and belief, gender reassignment, sex, or sexual orientation. We are an Athena SWAN Silver Award winner, a Disability Confident Leader and a Stonewall Diversity Champion.
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