Three Postdoctoral Researchers Positions Available In NUIG

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for three (3) full-time fixed term positions as Postdoctoral Researchers within the Sustainable and Resilient Structures Research Group in the SFI MaREI Centre  based in the School of Engineering and Ryan Institute at the National University of Ireland, Galway.

These positions are funded by Science Foundation Ireland, Horizon 2020 and Enterprise Ireland and are available from June 2021 for a period of one year (subject to extension if additional funding becomes available).

The Research Area:

The Sustainable and Resilient Structures Research Group in the SFI MaREI Centre have expertise in developing sustainable and resilient structures for buildings and energy infrastructure. The team applies leading-edge scientific and engineering methods to develop the improved infrastructure and built environment required for sustainable social and economic development. The research group have a strong history of collaboration with industry and international research institutes. The Sustainable and Resilient Structures Research Group is part of the SFI MaREI Centre for Energy, Climate and Marine and lead the Materials & Structures research area within that national research centre. We have developed a world-leading large structures test cell in the Alice Perry Engineering building at NUI Galway. This is one of the few test facilities in the world available for accelerated life testing of full-scale tidal turbine blades, but it is also used for testing other large scale structural systems. In this state-of-the-art testing facility, located in the Alice Perry Engineering building in NUI Galway, the team are collaborating with and testing novel structures for world-leading leading marine renewable energy companies, testing large aerospace structures and testing various construction technologies.

Job Description:

The successful candidates will work in the Sustainable and Resilient Structures Research Group under the supervision of Prof Jamie Goggins and Dr William Finnegan to investigate the use of advanced materials for energy, buildings and aerospace applications. There will be a specific focus on composite materials and sustainable structures, which will include design, analysis and laboratory testing. 

Duties:

Research

  • Research into composite materials and sustainable structures, which will include design, analysis and laboratory testing. This will be done under the supervision and direction of your Principal Investigator.
  • Conduct individual and/or collaborative research projects in a variety of settings (laboratory, creative performance, field, clinical setting).
  • Determine appropriate methodologies for research, with advice and support as appropriate.
  • Plan, co-ordinate and implement research project (this may include managing a small research team/co-ordinating other researcher activity).
  • Keep up to date with research related methods and techniques, in particular, developments in the specific research area.
  • Collaborate with colleagues on areas of shared research interest.
  • To have knowledge and understanding of the policy, practices and procedures, relevant to the role, this may include broader University/ sector/ external sponsor or funder (e.g. Commercial Awareness, Research Ethics, Knowledge Transfer, Patents, Intellectual Property Rights, Health and Safety, Equal Opportunities & Diversity).
  • The successful candidate is expected to define research objectives and proposals for own (or joint) research in line with research strategy whilst contributing to the research programme of the Sustainable and Resilient Structures Research group in the MaREI Centre at NUI Galway. This will be under general guidance of the Principal Investigators/ Project Leaders.

Dissemination

  • To be familiar with the publication process.
  • Present on research progress and outcomes e.g. to bodies supervising research; conferences, steering groups; other team members, as agreed with the PI / project leader.
  • Engage in the dissemination of the results of the research with the support of and under the supervision of your Principal Investigator.
    • Write up results from own research activity.
    • Publish on a regular basis.
    • Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations / commercial exploitation.
    • Translate knowledge of advances in the subject area into research activity.
  • Contribute to the research project’s dissemination in whatever form – report, papers, chapters, book
  • Communicate their research with their peers
  • Attend and network at relevant conferences and meeting hosted by relevant professional institutions and other universities as appropriate
  • The successful candidate is expected to lead the writing of at least one international peer review journal publication, as well as contributing to other peer review publications.

Management

  • To complete the administrative work to support the programme of research
  • To contribute to costing research grant proposals and assist in the financial management of a research project.
  • To carry out any additional duties as may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post.
  • Manage own personal and research resources (including where required, laboratories, and specialist equipment) appropriately.
  • Manage own research budget, if any, and keep records as directed and in line with Funder/University policy as appropriate.
  • Know the legal requirements regarding data protection and confidentiality data protection requirements.
  • To carry out any additional duties as may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post.

Support

  • Engage in appropriate training and professional development opportunities as required by your Principal Investigator, your School or Institute, or the University.
  • Contribute to teaching /tutoring/mentoring that shall normally be no more than 50 hours per annum in an associated school and under the close supervision of a fulltime academic member of the School. The extent of this must not adversely impact the primary research role.
  • Develop their own career reputation and career development.
  • Acquire generic and transferable skills (including project management, business skills and postgraduate mentoring/supervision).
  • Mentor and assist, as appropriate and as directed, the research graduate students in your group, School and Institute.
  • May act as co-supervisor or be a member of a supervision panel.
  • May act as mentor to foreign students on undergraduate placement.
  • May participate in limited teaching hours for own development. The extent of this must not adversely impact the primary research role.
  • To interact closely with postgraduate research students who are studying for a Masters or a PhD and possibly have an agreed role in supporting these students in their day to day research in conjunction with an academic supervisor. Support and, where appropriate, co-supervise the work of undergraduate students e.g. Final Year Project Students.
  • The successful candidate is expected to gain experience in grant writing and participate in internal / external networks for the exchange of information and to form relationships for future research collaboration.

Other

  • Continue to update knowledge and develop skills.
  • Develop internal and external contacts with researchers in related areas.
  • May contribute to work of the College/School/Research Unit through activities such as student Open Days, other promotion activity as appropriate.

Qualifications/Skills required:

The ideal candidate should hold a PhD in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science or equivalent, have a strong background in composite materials and structures and, to be considered at postdoctoral researchers level, are expected to have performed original scientific research within composite structures. Candidates should have excellent communication and organisational skills; be highly motivated and passionate about renewable energy; and have strong documentation, oral and interpersonal skills. The position requires communication with the different partners of the consortium, thus excellent communication skills are mandatory.

Essential Requirements:

  • Honours degree (at least 2.1 or equivalent) in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science or equivalent
  • PhD in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science or equivalent to at least 4 years full-time working in research and development in a cognitive area.
  • Evidence of experience in design, manufacture and/or testing of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composite structures
  • Demonstrable experience in both independent and collaborative research
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills (English language)
  • Evidence of scientific publication and dissemination of results in peer reviewed scientific papers

Desirable Requirements:

  • Experience in laboratory testing, especially mechanical and/or structural testing.
  • Evidence of innovative thinking, able to work both independently and in cross-disciplinary teams
  • Appropriate supervisory or teaching experience may be an advantage

Salary:  

€38,632 to €50,029 per annum pro rata for shorter and/or part-time contracts (public sector pay policy rules pertaining to new entrants will apply).

Start date: Positions are available from earliest possible start date June 2021

Continuing Professional Development/Training:

Further information on research and working at NUI Galway is available on Research at NUI Galway Researchers at NUI Galway are encouraged to avail of a range of training and development opportunities designed to support their personal career development plans. NUI Galway provides continuing professional development supports for all researchers seeking to build their own career pathways either within or beyond academia.  Researchers are encouraged to engage with our Researcher Development Centre (RDC) upon commencing employment.

For information on moving to Ireland please see www.euraxess.ie

Further information is available at the Sustainable and Resilient Structures Research at NUI Galway, the SFI MaREI Centre, the School of Engineering at and the Ryan Institute .

Informal enquiries concerning the post may be made to Prof Jamie Goggins (ei.yawlagiun@sniggog.eimaJ)  

To Apply:

Applications to include a covering letter, CV, and the contact details of three referees should be sent, via e-mail (in word or PDF only) to Prof Jamie Goggins: ei.yawlagiun@sniggoG.eimaJ  

Please put reference number NUIG-RES-094-21 in subject line of e-mail application.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 5.00 pm Sunday 30th May 2021

Interviews are planned to be held during the week of 7th June 2021, which will be held virtually using MS Teams

We reserve the right to re-advertise or extend the closing date for this post.

National University of Ireland, Galway is an equal opportunities employer.

All positions are recruited in line with Open, Transparent, Merit (OTM) and Competency based recruitment