The Department of Mechanical Engineering is looking to appoint a Researcher for 15 months with a possible extension of up to an additional 12 months in order to develop experimental and analytical techniques for analysing the dynamic response of nonlinear mechanical structures. The post is part of a EPSRC programme grant across five universities. In addition to working with the Bristol team, you will be encouraged to collaborate within this wider research effort.

The dynamics of linear systems are almost universally analysed and experimentally validated using modal analysis and identification. Modal decomposition is based on the assumption the structure is linear. Hence these techniques cannot be applied with any confidence to nonlinear structures. Driven by the need to build more cost-efficient, less resource-intensive structures, their operating envelopes are expanding, for example by moving to more lightweight flexible structures resulting in larger deflections and geometric nonlinearity. These developments have generated the urgent need for a technique that can handle nonlinearity rigorously.

Aspects that might be addressed include
• How stiffness and damping nonlinearities result in cross-coupling between the dynamics when considered in linear modal coordinates. 
• How these interactions can be identified and quantified experimentally.
• How experimental data can be used to calibrate or modify a numerical model to better capture the nonlinear behaviour.

It is anticipated that in collaboration with the wider project team you will demonstrate the techniques you develop on an industrially relevant experimental test-case.
You will have a first degree and preferably a PhD in Engineering/Physics/Applied Mathematics (or closely related discipline) and have good experience of structural dynamics theory and ideally experimental testing.

This post is offered on a full time fixed term contract for 15 months with a possible extension of up to a further 12 months.

Please direct any questions to Simon Neild, simon.neild@bristol.ac.uk

It is expected that interviews will be held within two weeks of the application closing date.

Appointment may be either on a fixed term or a permanent contract depending on the extent of previous relevant research experience, in line with the University’s Fixed Term Contract Agreement. Further information can be found at www.bristol.ac.uk/hr/ftc/

The University of Bristol is committed to equality and we value the diversity of our staff and students.

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Closing date: 4 January 2015.