Job Description
Job Title: Vibro Acoustics and Robotics Sensing (KTP Associate)
Posting Start Date: 25/02/2025
Job Id: 625
School/Department: Mechanical, Aerospace & Civil Engineering
Work Arrangement: Full Time (Hybrid)
Contract Type: Fixed-term
Salary per annum (£): £39,105
Closing Date: 11.03.2025
The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.
We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

• Deliver the project objectives as detailed in the KTP project work plan.
• Contribute to the development of a new sensor technology that can be deployed on a mobile robot and used to detect early onset of pipe wall damage. This will include:
• propose and develop the right science and to use and to inform the development of the vibro-acoustic sensor
• design of the sensors
• deployment of the sensors on a robust robotic platform
• testing the sensing technology in collaboration with other non-academic partners
• technology transfer
• participating in project meetings
• Take a leading role in identifying, assessing, and addressing project risks and challenges on an ongoing basis to ensure successful completion of the project.
• Maintain an up-to-date project plan and provide regular progress reports.
• Organise project technical and progress meetings.
• Deliver presentations to immediate project team members and other stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the supervisory teams in the University and Synthotech to write and publish technical papers based on the project outcomes.
• Completion of all KTP Training and KTP Associate Final Report in a timely manner.
• Contribute to the enhancement of the University research profile through publications,collaborations, and knowledge exchange activities.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.
  Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn’t match perfectly with this role’s criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Essential criteria

• BEng/MEng, 1st or 2.1 degree in Engineering, Physics or Mathematics. Essential, Application, Interview.
• PhD in Engineering, Physics or Mathematics. Essential, Application, Interview.
• Strong working knowledge of acoustics, fluid mechanics plus experience of signal processing for experimental data. Essential, Application, Interview.
• Good working knowledge of other types of sensors and instrumentation through modelling and laboratory experiments. Essential, Application, Interview.
• Good working knowledge of a relevant computer programming language and simulation packages, for example Matlab, C/C++, Comsol or Ansys. Essential, Application, Interview.
• Good working knowledge of Python and ROS2. Essential, Application, Interview.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal. Ability to write technical reports showcasing the progress of the work. Ability to present results at conferences. Essential, Application, Interview.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to listen, engage and persuade, and to present complex information in an accessible way to a range of Stakeholders. Essential, Application, Interview.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Essential, Application, Interview.
• Ability to assess and organise resources, and plan and progress work activities effectively and efficiently to meet strict deadlines. Essential, Application, Interview.

Desirable criteria (max 2)

• Good working knowledge of robotics. Desirable, Application, Interview.
• Develop leadership and management skills appropriate to take on a lead role within the project. Desirable, Application, Interview.