VACANCY: Postdoctoral Researcher Mathematical Modelling
Application details:
Start date: Immediately
Closing date: Open – immediate start required
The University of Limerick (UL) with over 15,000 students and 1,400 staff is an energetic and enterprising institution with a proud record of innovation and excellence in education, research and scholarship. The dynamic, entrepreneurial and pioneering values which drive UL’s mission and strategy ensures that we capitalise on local, national and international engagement and connectivity. We are renowned for providing an outstanding student experience and conducting leading edge research. Our commitment is to make a difference by shaping the future through educating and empowering our students. UL is situated on a superb riverside campus of over 130 hectares with the River Shannon as a unifying focal point. Outstanding recreational, cultural and sporting facilities further enhance this exceptional learning and research environment
UL is home to the Mathematics Applications Consortium for Science and Industry (MACSI), one of Europe’s foremost industrial and applied mathematics research group.
SoundBounce is an SME (Small to Medium Enterprise) based in Dublin, which has developed a novel acoustic material for use in the automotive, aerospace, construction, and power generation industries. The company is at the forefront of development of new materials for the acoustics industry and provides exciting employment opportunities to work on the next generation of acoustic materials.
Job description
In recent years, a new class of acoustic materials which alter the reflection, absorption, or transmission of sound in a controlled manner have been developed. These materials, known as acoustic metamaterials, are often composed of novel materials with complex geometric structures that must be precision manufactured to achieve the acoustic properties desired.
SoundBounce is an acoustic metamaterial for superior noise reduction developed in Ireland. SoundBounce is a composite material, comprising fluid enclosed in a solid structure. The multi-physics relationships between the mechanics of the fluid and solid provide the framework for acoustic tuning. However a precise relationship between material properties and acoustic response is lacking. The proposed research project will focus on the development of mathematical models for the relationship between the composition and structure of SoundBounce and its frequency response. This work is funded through the EU H2020 SME instrument.
The researcher will collaborate with a team from MACSI and build upon previous work on developing and analysing mathematical models of the frequency response of acoustic metamaterials. These modelling efforts concentrated on acoustic responses to Newtonian fluids with solid structures where small deformations allowed for the application of linear theory. The researcher will extend this work to capture nonlinear acoustic responses through the inclusion of new physics such as geometry, solid structure, and non-Newtonian fluids. This work will guide and be guided by experimental studies, and ultimately lead to the development of an easy-to-use software tool to aid material design.
The post is fully sponsored by SoundBounce who will be the direct employer of this role.
TANDEM is an EU H2020 SME Instrument funded project that brings together expertise from acoustics, applied mathematics, and chemistry to deliver the next generation of acoustic materials. Team members will collaborate with colleagues across Ireland digitally, with regular face to face meetings too.
SoundBounce is an acoustic metamaterial providing superior noise reduction and is the focus of project TANDEM. It is a paradigm shift over the current state of the art, enabling the creation of smaller, lighter products with unrivalled low frequency performance. This is critical in the construction, automotive, power generation and aerospace sectors where space is at a premium.
Find out more:
Essential requirements
The ideal candidate should have the following requirements:
Essential
- A doctoral degree (level 10 NFQ) completed, in mathematical modelling or related discipline with significant modelling and computational content
- Highly proficiency in the use of at least one high-level computing language (e.g., MATLAB, Python etc.)
- Proficiency with continuum mechanics, analysis of wave propagation or a related area.
- Well-developed ability to communicate technical concepts to non-experts
- Demonstrated ability to liaise and collaborate with other researchers in the University and Industrial clients
- Ability to lead the organisation of their own work
Desirable
- Experience in model development for use within industry
- Experience of Industrial Research & Development, including being fully aware of the importance of Intellectual Property management and protection.
- Evidence of participation in interdisciplinary research projects
- Ability to write scientific papers jointly with the other members of a research group.
SALARY AND CONTRACT TERMS
The post is funded by the SoundBounce project for a fixed-term of 2 years. Salary will be placed on the Irish University Association’s Researcher salary scales between point 2 and point 9 dependent on experience (€37,757 – € 46,853). Successful candidates can access an employee share option scheme, personal conference and training budget, and company bonuses.
Applications
Please apply directly to macsi@ul.ie including the following attachments:
Cover Letter (Max 2 pages)
Curriculum Vitae (Max 2 pages).
Course transcripts of Doctoral degree with grades and Certificate of Doctoral degree.
List of publications with the most significant publications highlighted.
References with names and contact details.
Applications will be considered until the position is filled but we will start reviewing candidates immediately.
For additional information, please contact macsi@ul.ie