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.

Overview

There is an exciting opportunity for a candidate with the knowledge of fundamental mathematical and physical principles of acoustics to join a multi-disciplinary team working on research grant sponsored by the UK’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council to develop a theory for novel bio-inspired micromachine sensors to measure acoustical quantities that have not been measured before. This project is a collaboration between the Universities of Sheffield, Imperial College London and Southampton bringing together the expertise in acoustics, fluid dynamics, mathematics, microelectronics and civil engineering. The project is also supported by a robotic manufacturing company and key water utilities in the UK. A key aspect of the role is to support the development of the new theoretical base to understand the behaviour of the acoustic velocity vector (the gradient of the acoustic pressure) and higher-order acoustic pressure derivatives in an irregular waveguide filled with moving fluid. A main application of this technology is for the detection of wall defects and leaks in pressurised water pipes.

If you have a degree in Mathematics, Physical Science, or Engineering and a PhD (or equivalent experience) in the subject area close to acoustics or elastic wave propagation, you are encouraged to apply. Applicants who are about to submit their PhD thesis or awaiting their viva will be also considered.

Since the role involves significant collaborations with academic and industry partners outside Sheffield, you need to be willing and able to travel within the UK and overseas. You will also need to demonstrate good knowledge of mathematics, numerical modelling, fluid dynamics and signal processing and be a proficient user of a programming language, e.g. Python or Matlab.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Develop a new theoretical foundation to understand the behaviour of the acoustic waves in an irregular waveguide filled with moving fluid.
• Support the theoretical development with numerical modelling of acoustic wave propagation in moving fluid and physics-based machine learning (ML) methods.
• Support experimental design in the laboratory, carry out data processing and to use the experimental results to validate the developed theoretical foundation.
• Use the developed theoretical foundation and numerical simulations to support the design of micromachine sensors.
• Apply the new theoretical foundation and results from numerical and machine learning work to support the optimal deployment of the new sensors and their applications.
• Support field experiments with the new sensing technology in collaboration with our non-academic partners.
• Take a leading role in identifying, assessing, and addressing project risks and challenges related to the above.
•  Participate in project meetings.
•  Deliver presentations to immediate project team members and other stakeholders.
•  Collaborate with the supervisory teams in the University of Sheffield and with our academic partners.
• Support the completion of the Final Report in a timely manner.
• Contribute to the enhancement of the University research profile through high-quality journal publications, collaborations, and knowledge exchange activities.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

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 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.

Further Information

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in June and will include an interview with a presentation.  We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage at the end of May. 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.

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

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• 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 commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways.
• 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.

Closing Date : 06/07/2025 

The University of Sheffield is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our staff and students. It is an offence to apply for this role if you have been barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. Applicants will be subject to relevant safeguarding checks in line with the requirements of each role and the guidance from the Department for Education.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.
Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
- Childcare disqualification
- Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
- Medical
- Online and social media
- Eligibility to work
- Satisfactory references
- Suitability to work with children
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Safeguarding policy

Employment of ex-offenders policy