(£29,249 - £35,938 per annum*)

Development of Advanced Sensors for Engineered Barriers

A 3 year post-doctoral position is available in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Strathclyde to deploy and refine advanced monitoring technologies for simultaneous monitoring of pH, temperature, pore-water pressure, and swelling within clay materials (bentonite) typically used in the design of engineered barriers and back-fills. The research position is part of a 3 year £1.3M EPSRC Energy Programme consortium project entitled 'SAFE Barriers' led by Prof Lunn in the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Strathclyde. Research in the wider consortium project will be aimed at investigating the hydraulic and mechanical performance of bentonite, as a barrier material, under extreme gradients in pH and temperature. These experiments within the wider consortium will be under-pinned by this postdoctoral position to develop advanced monitoring technologies that can provide simultaneous 2 to 3-D imaging of coupled environmental variables over time. The Research Associate will adapt and develop miniature (mm2) MEMS and nanotube-based sensors for monitoring of bentonite. MEMS will then be complemented by Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) and Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) to enhance understanding and 3D data acquisition.

The Associate will work in strong collaboration with other members of the EPSRC consortium which brings together a unique mix of multidisciplinary researchers from across the UK in the fields of civil engineering, earth sciences, mathematical modelling, geophysics and wireless monitoring. We are seeking to appoint a postdoctoral researcher with skills in advanced sensor technology, who will enjoy the challenge of working in a multi-disciplinary environment to develop new interdisciplinary solutions to engineering problems in nuclear waste disposal and decommissioning. Candidates must hold or be close to completion of a PhD in a relevant field of physics, electrical engineering or mechanical engineering. Applicants with considerable relevant industrial experience will also be considered.

(* Appointment will be made at Research Assistant level (£25,251 - £28,401) where PhD award is pending).

Informal enquiries regarding the post can be directed to Prof. R. Lunn by e-mail at rebecca.lunn@strath.ac.uk or by telephone on 0141 548 2408.

For an application pack visit http://vacancies.strath.ac.uk or contact Human Resources, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XQ. Tel. 0141 553 4133, quoting ref: JA/R51/2012.

Closing date: 24 June 2012

We value diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community

The University of Strathclyde is a Registered Scottish Charity, No SCO15263