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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.

Overview

We are seeking a highly motivated research associate to lead a collaborative project between Johnson Matthey PLC and The University of Sheffield. This role offers a unique opportunity to apply your mathematical modelling, coding, and ultrasound instrumentation expertise to develop and implement innovative solutions for sensing particulate materials within a dynamic business environment.

Johnson Matthey, a FTSE 250 organisation, is a global leader in sustainable technologies specialising in catalysis, precious metal products, chemicals and process technology.  With operations in over 30 countries world-wide, we have more 200 years of success behind us; be part of the next stage of our growth journey and help us catalyse the race to net zero.

The primary place of work will be at Johnson Matthey, Belasis Avenue, Billingham,TS23 1LB, and while employed by The University of Sheffield, you will spend a significant portion of your time working on-site at Johnson Matthey PLC. You will also spend time working at the University of Sheffield.

Main duties and responsibilities

Key Responsibilities are to

• Lead the development of mathematical models for the propagation of ultrasound waves in particulate materials
• Design and help instrument sensors based on these models to measure particle properties, such as the particle size distribution.
• Balancing experimental needs, such as bandwidth requirements, with mathematical restrictions, and restrictions from use in plants.
• Data manipulation, signal processing, and software development to integrate new theoretical tools to develop new sensing products to be used in plants.
• Lead the project and plan own workload
• Publishing scientific papers.
• Presenting work and results to both the KTP supervision team and at scientific meetings.
• Ultimately deliver a prototype ultrasonic sensor to work in processing plants,

Person Specification

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 are 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

• A PhD in Acoustics, Sound Scattering, or equivalent research experience. Candidates close to completing a PhD will be considered. (assessed at: application and interview)
• Knowledge in mathematical modelling and physics of waves. (assessed at: application and interview)
• Knowledge of numerical methods for solving scattering problems and inverse problems (assessed at: application and interview)
• Proficiency in scientific programming languages, Julia or Python (assessed at: application and interview)
• Experience in ultrasound instrumentation (assessed at: application and interview)
• A strong track record of publishing research in established journals (assessed at: application)
• Good team working skills
• Excellent communication skills and track record of delivering talks to a high standard (assessed at: interview)
• Experience in multiple scattering problems and statistics is desirable.​

Further Information

Grade:  OFFSCALE

Salary: £38k to £40k

Work arrangement: Full-time, 7.5 hours per day with flexible working. Core hours are 10am to 4pm.

Duration: 30 months

Line manager: Senior Lecturer in Dynamics (University of Sheffield) and Principal Engineering (Johnson Matthey)

Direct reports: None

For informal enquiries about this job contact
Art Gower, Senior Lecturer: on a.l.gower@sheffield.ac.uk

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on the 21st of July 2025. This will consist of an interview and for the candidate to give a presentation that covers both previous relevant work and why they are a good fit for this role. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing the 14th of July 2025. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact mac-recruitment@sheffield.ac.uk

By applying you are agreeing to share your information with Johnson Matthey.

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• Access to training modules focusing on project management, leadership, and business skills.​ Including two residential programmes on management.
• Budget for further development and training.
• 10% of your time can be dedicated to research or personal development.
• A tailored personal development plan with structured mentoring.
• ​ Engage with professionals across academia and industry, expanding your professional network.​
• A minimum of 25 days annual leave plus bank holiday's.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.