Research Associate

Advert

Research Associate
Medical Engineering
Cardiff School of Engineering

Cardiff University, Sports Labs and World Rugby have recently developed a new test protocol that will assess skin injury risk on synthetic sports surfaces.  This is the culmination of a 4-year PhD program, which addressed a recognised limitation in current surface testing capabilities.  These efforts have led to establishing a new injury metric and the fabrication of a new prototype test device, which is expected to be adopted by international governing bodies.  We have recently been awarded funding to develop this prototype device into a new product, which would enable the international adoption of our new injury metric.  This has the potential to significantly improve player welfare and, in doing so, create significant research impact. 

The successful applicant will be responsible for developing the concept device into a commercially viable test machine, so will have engineering knowledge and expertise.  Machines for investigating different surface characteristics are already located at many international ‘test houses’, with customers expecting them to generate reliable and repeatable data.  You will benefit from working directly with colleagues at Sports Labs, who are expert in designing, fabricating and having adopted, sports-related test devices.  You will form a detailed understanding of the prototype device and new injury metric, then by integrating the combined know-how of you and colleagues, produce a final, high-quality design that is fit-for-purpose, reinforcing the Sports Labs brand.

Your main duties will include:

The successful applicant will be seconded to Sports Labs for the duration of this project.  They are based in Sterling (Scotland), nestled between Glasgow and Edinburgh.  You will receive day-to-day supervision from the Sports Labs team, with direct line management provided online and in-person by the Principal Investigator.  You will be a Cardiff University employee, though will be expected to comply with the local (i.e. Sports Labs) working conditions, standard operating procedures, and risk assessments.  These will all be formalised through a Secondment Agreement.  This approach will ensure that you are able to work closely with highly relevant technical colleagues, whilst also liaising with the Sales & Marketing teams, for example to identify an appropriate price point and profit margin. 

This post is full time (35 hours per week), available from the 1st April 2024 and is fixed term until 31st December 2024.
Salary: £39,347 - £44,263 per annum (Grade 6). We do not anticipate appointing this position above point 6.32, £39347 per annum.

Location: Sports Lab, Stirling Scotland

Job Ref: 17951BR
For informal enquiries about the post please contact Dr Peter Theobald, [email protected]

For further details about working at Cardiff School of Engineering please contact [email protected] 

It is anticipated the interviews will be held on Wednesday 6th March 2024.

Date Advertised: 29 January 2024
Closing date: 28 February 2024.

The School of Engineering holds an Athena SWAN Bronze Award that recognises good employment practice and a commitment to develop the careers of women working in science. Cardiff University is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. For this vacancy we actively encourage women to apply. We will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share opportunities.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds.  We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at:  Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University

Job Description

Job Description

• To conduct research and development (R & D) within injury biomechanics and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University by the production of measurable outputs including bidding for funding, publishing in national academic journals and conferences, and the recruitment and supervision of postgraduate research students. 
• To attend and or present at conferences/seminars at a local and national level as required.
• To undertake administrative tasks associated with the R & D project, including the planning and organisation of the project and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
• To build and create networks both internally and externally to the university, to influence decisions, explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of research projects.
• To engage effectively with industrial, commercial and public sector organisations, professional institutions, other academic institutions etc., regionally and nationally to raise awareness of the School’s profile, to cultivate strategically valuable alliances, and to pursue opportunities for collaboration across a range of activities. These activities are expected to contribute to the School and the enhancement of its regional and national profile.

• To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.

• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education

1.   Relevant professional qualification(s
2.   Evidence of collaborations with industry.
3.   Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community.
4.   Evidence of ability to participate in and develop both internal and external networks and utilise them to enhance the research activities of the School.

Additional Information

This post will benefit from secondment to Sports Labs for the duration of the project.  The successful applicant will be a university employee.

IMPORTANT: Evidencing Criteria
Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable criteria.
As part of the application process you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement. Please ensure when submitting this document / attaching it to your application profile you name it with the vacancy reference number, in this instance, 17951 BR.  

Job Category

Academic - Research