Research Assistant / Associate

Advert

Research Assistant / Research Associate
Cardiff School of Engineering

We are looking for a Research Assistant/ Research Associate who will help to create material selection demonstrations from a comprehensive material database. The main goal of this job is to work on real-world material selection challenges using an ANSYS Inc. (USA) database, focusing on engineering applications in the energy sector.

The responsibilities include discussing material performance and life cycles in detail, doing calculations at the undergraduate level, exploring physical principles of materials, and making detailed diagrams. The educational content created will be used in short 60-second lectures and notes for both university and industry teaching. We will use advanced text to speech and video technology to make the recordings more accessible.

This role is a great opportunity for recent graduates/postgraduate students nearing completion who want experience in higher education and professional reporting. The project is funded by ANSYS, a well-known leader in simulation software. We welcome individuals with a background in electrical engineering, material science, or related fields like engineering, physics, or chemistry.

This post is full-time (35 hours per week), available immediately and is fixed term for 1 month or until 31 July 2024 whichever date is earliest.

The appointment will be made, dependent on relevant qualifications, skills and experience, within the Grade 5 or Grade 6 scale.

Research Assistant:  £32,332 - £34,980 per annum (Grade 5), we do not anticipate appointing this position above point 25. £32,332 per annum.

Research Associate:  £39,347 - £44,263 per annum (Grade 6), we do not anticipate appointing this position above point 32. £39,347 per annum.

Job ref: 18373BR

For informal enquiries about the post please contact Daniel Zabek at [email protected]
For further details about working at Cardiff School of Engineering please contact Bev Jones at [email protected]

Date advert posted: Wednesday, 6 March 2024

Closing date: Friday, 22 March 2024

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

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. 

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

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

Grade 5
Main Function: 

• To contribute to research within specialist area, carrying out supporting work that helps lead to the publishing of high-quality research. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same
• To undertake research, e.g. by planning, preparing, setting up, conducting and recording the outcome of experiments /field work/desktop research/questionnaires.
• Actively participate within the research group, communicating and presenting research at meetings, through publications and other recognised avenues as appropriate, ensuring information is communicated to internal and external partners
• To contribute and support research publications and presentations as required
• To contribute and support research funding bids as required
• To analyse and communicate complex ideas, concepts and data using appropriate methods and packages
• To resolve issues and support colleagues in devising procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting
• To generate research output and contribute to the development of  independent  and original ideas as appropriate
• To provide support in research activities for undergraduate courses and research programmes and provide guidance to other members of staff within the research team
• To maintain and update area of specialist knowledge, researching and critically appraising relevant literature within the area.

• To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world
• To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
• To ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties
• To abide by the University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

Person Specification

Research Assistant – Grade 5 Person Specification

Essential Criteria
Qualifications and Education
1.    A degree in a relevant discipline, or equivalent experience

Knowledge, Skills and Experience
2.    Knowledge of research methods and techniques within specialist field
3.    Proven ability to analyse complex information and summarise appropriately
4.    Ability to demonstrate the capability and drive to succeed in securing research funding 

Communication and Team Working
5.    Proven communication skills, including presentation to various audiences
6.    Excellent organisational and team-working skills

Other
7.    Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and teamworking within work

Desirable Criteria 
1.    Postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion / submission) in a related subject area or relevant industrial experience
2.    Evidence of collaborations with industry.
3.    Proven ability to work without close supervision
4.    Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community. 

Research Associate Grade 6 Person Specification

Essential Criteria
Qualifications and Education
1.    Postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion / submission) in a related subject area or relevant industrial experience

Knowledge, Skills and Experience
2.    An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within the following research fields:
i.    Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
ii.    Materials.

3.    Knowledge of current status of research in specialist field
4.    Proven ability to publish in national/international journals / national/international conferences and/or other research outputs.
5.    Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies 

Communication and Team Working
6.    Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication
7.    Ability to supervise the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individuals

Other
8.    Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work
9.    Proven ability to work without close supervision

Desirable Criteria
1.    Evidence of collaborations with industry.
2.     Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community.
3.    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

Grade 6 Research Associate Job Description

Main Function: To conduct research within the field of material selection and support ANSYS (Inc.) in developing a world leading material database and contribute to the overall research performance of the school, carrying out high-quality research. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same.

Main Duties and Responsibilities
Research

• To conduct research within electrical insulators 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 develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research including research funding proposals
• To attend and or present at conferences/seminars at a local and national level as required
• To undertake administrative tasks associated with the research project, including the planning and organisation of the project and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting
• To prepare research ethics and research governance applications as appropriate
• To review and synthesise existing research literature within the field
• To participate in School research activities.
• 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.
• To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

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, 18373BR.

Job Category

Academic - Research