A Post-Doctoral Research Assistant (PDRA) is sought for a new EPSRC-funded research project: STORMLAMP (STructural behaviour Of Rock-Mounted Lighthouses At the Mercy of imPulsive waves). Academics from Plymouth University, University of Exeter and UCL will be working with the UK General Lighthouse Authorities to develop methods to monitor and model rock lighthouses that are vulnerable to wave impacts. The post will be based at Plymouth University in the School of Marine Science and Engineering, but the PDRA will form a two-person team with a technician in the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences at the University of Exeter.
At Plymouth University the PDRA will be in charge of lighthouse physical modelling in the Coastal Ocean and Sediment Transport (COAST) laboratory housed within the new Marine Building. Close collaboration with the University of Exeter will involve offshore deployments to six rock lighthouses around the UK, modal analysis using forced and ambient vibration testing, optimisation of long-term monitoring systems and interpretation of field data with the weather and video information. The PDRA will also provide field and laboratory data for the team in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering at UCL who are developing discrete/finite element models of lighthouse structures.
The physical modelling in the COAST laboratory will require knowledge of hydrodynamics and associated instrumentation, though support will be provided by our experienced technicians. The offshore deployments will require physical exertion, the willingness to potentially undertake training for helicopter ditching and the ability to work in conditions that are both space and time constrained. Field data analysis will require familiarity with analysis software and statistical methods. The development of monitoring systems will require instrumentation development skills including programming with languages such as MATLAB and LabVIEW. The candidate will spend an average of 50 days per year working in the Structural Engineering Laboratory at the University of Exeter.
This is a full-time post working 37 hours per week on a fixed term basis for a period of 3.5 years.
For an informal discussion please contact Dr Alison Raby, Associate Professor of Coastal Engineering by email alison.raby@plymouth.ac.uk or telephone 01752 586133.
Plymouth University is committed to an inclusive culture and respecting diversity, and welcomes applications from all sections of the community and is a Stonewall diversity champion.
The University holds a Bronze Athena SWAN Award which recognises commitment to advancing women's career in STEMM academia.
Plymouth University has been recognised by Bloomberg as one of the 50 best UK employers for 2016.
Job Description