Postdoctoral Research Associate in Bio-geotechnics

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally. 

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.  We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.

The Role and Department

The Department of Engineering consistently stands as one of the foremost engineering departments in the UK, renowned for its exceptional performance in teaching, research, and the successful career paths of its students. Its impressive achievements include an 8th rank in the Complete University Guide 2024, 6th in the Guardian University Guide, and 6th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022 for General Engineering in the UK. The Department also secured a position within the top six UK departments in the REF 2021 assessment, with an outstanding publication rating of 4* and 3*.

This vibrant Department offers an outstanding work environment and is committed to growth, aiming for an expansion of over 50% in the next five years. The growth plan entails a substantial boost in the research challenge portfolio and a dedicated effort to enhance undergraduate, postgraduate taught, and postgraduate research programs. Joining this thriving Department at present offers an exciting opportunity to contribute significantly.

The Department proudly holds an Athena SWAN Bronze Award, a testament to its dedication to promoting diversity in STEM academics and fostering a nurturing and encouraging atmosphere.

The individual in this position will receive guidance and oversight from Dr Sravan Muguda Viswanath. They will also engage in collaborative efforts with fellow academics involved in the project. This role involves active participation and interaction with colleagues and both within and outside the Department. The individual taking up this position will become a part of the Geotechnical and Environmental Engineering Research (GEER) Node, which is housed within the Department of Engineering. The GEER node is dedicated to conducting specialized research focused on understanding the characteristics of unsaturated soils, earthen construction materials and bio-stabilised soils. The individual is also expected to spend a few months on secondment at the Center for Bio-mediated & Bio-inspired Geotechnics at Arizona State University, United States of America under the guidance of Dr Emmanuel Salifu.

The Role

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Geotechnical Engineering with a particular emphasis on bio-stabilisation. The research project aims to investigate the synergy between fungi and biopolymer soil stabilisation techniques and lay scientifically validated recommendations for future in-situ applications. The successful applicant will be expected to conduct controlled tests to optimise the fungi-biopolymer combinations, conduct advanced geotechnical laboratory tests on fungi-biopolymer amended soils in relation to their unsaturated mechanical, hydraulic and durability properties, and to collaborate with researchers in the development of constitutive and numerical models. The PDRA is expected to prepare high-quality research articles and present their work to project partners and researchers at international conferences. 

Responsibilities: 

• To understand and convey material of a specialist or highly technical nature to the team or group of people through presentations and discussions that lead to the presentation of research papers in conferences and publications.
• To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences which may include: research sponsors, academics and non-academic audiences.
• To publish high-quality outputs, including papers for submission to peer-reviewed journals and papers for presentation at conferences and workshops under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
• To assist with the development of research objectives and proposals.
• To conduct individual and collaborative research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
• To work with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and other colleagues in the research group, as appropriate, to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.
• To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and offering creative or innovative solutions.
• To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.
• To plan and manage own research activity, research resources in collaboration with others and contribute to the planning of research projects.
• To deliver training in research techniques/approaches to peers, visitors and students as appropriate.
• To be involved in student supervision, as appropriate, and assist with the assessment of the knowledge of students.
• To contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect.
• To engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.
• To engage in continuing professional development by participation in the undergraduate or postgraduate teaching programmes or by membership of departmental committees, etc. and by attending relevant training and development courses.  

This post is fixed term for 12 months due to the funding available. The project timeline is limited and will end by September 2025.

The post-holder is employed to work on a collaborative research project involving Durham University, the University of Genoa in Italy, and the Arizona State University, USA. The project will be led by Dr Sravan Muguda Viswanath. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.

Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by 01 May 2024.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:

• 30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year. 
• The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.  We have parking across campus, a cycle-to-work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally.  There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University.  All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• On-site nursery is available and children’s clubs in the summer holidays.
• Family-friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions. 
• A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits. 
• If you are moving to Durham, we can help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools.  If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Durham University is committed to equality diversity, inclusion and values

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.  As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do.  We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct.  At Durham, we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our workforce including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.  If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application.  If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

Contact Information

Department Contact for academic-related enquiries: Department of Engineering, Dr Sravan Muguda Viswanath, [email protected]

Contact information for technical difficulties when submitting your application and general queries about the recruitment process

If you encounter technical difficulties when using the online application form, we prefer you send enquiries by email.  Please send your name along with a brief description of the problem you’re experiencing to [email protected]

Alternatively, you may call 0191 334 6801 from the UK, or +44 191 334 6801 from outside the UK. This number operates during the hours of 09.00 and 17.00 Monday to Friday, UK time.  We will normally respond within one working day (Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays). 

How to Apply 

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification below. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria. 

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview. 

Submitting your application

We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.

What to Submit 

All applicants are asked to submit:

Next Steps

Short-listed candidates will be invited for an online interview for 45 minutes. We anticipate the interview will happen in the early part of February 2024. The exact date of the interview will be conveyed through an email to the shortlisted candidates.   

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement https://www.durham.ac.uk/about-us/governance/information-governance/privacy-notices/privacy-notices/job-applicants/ which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.  

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

Qualifications

1.     A good first degree in Civil Engineering, Geological Engineering, Engineering Geology, or related subject.

2.     A PhD in Geotechnical Engineering, Soil Mechanics or Soil Microbiology, Environmental Engineering or Environmental Biotechnology, with an interest in Bio-geotechnics.

Experience

3.     Experience in conducting high-quality academic research in the area of geotechnical engineering specifically related to the bio-stabilisation of soils and soil microbiology or mycology.

4.     Demonstrate ability to perform advanced geotechnical laboratory tests in relation to mechanical, hydraulic and durability behaviour of soils.

5.     Demonstrable ability to write material of a quality commensurate with publication in highly ranked journals.

6.     Demonstrable ability to present research papers at international conferences and communicate complex information to specialists and within the wider academic community.

Skills

7.     Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, including participating in research meetings.

8.     Ability to work independently on own initiative and to strict deadlines.

9.     Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Desirable Criteria:

Experience

10.  Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals, commensurate with stage of career.

11.  A track record of presenting research at conferences, symposia, or meetings, commensurate with the stage of career.

12.  Demonstrable ability to develop research proposals and designs in collaboration with other academics.

13.  Experience in overseeing students with respect to the development of their practical/research skills e.g. acting as a demonstrator; and supervising student projects/practicals.

14.  Experience in geotechnical centrifuge testing or the development of constitutive soil models.

Skills

15.  Demonstrable ability to plan and manage independent research activity in any aspect of bio-geotechnical engineering.

16.  Demonstrable ability to work in a Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) or environmental microbiology lab setting.