Research Fellow in Quantum sensing for civil engineering applications - School of Engineering -[...]

Position Details

• Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
• Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression once in post to £48,822
• Grade: 7
• Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to February 2028
• Closing date: 11th March 2026

Background

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Fellow to drive the underground infrastructure theme within the Quantum Technology Research Hub in Sensors, Imaging and Timing (www.quisit.org). The successful candidate will focus on designing and conducting large scale laboratory and field trials using a range of geophysical equipment such as Ground Penetrating Radar or gravimeters (e.g. Scintrex CG6) to provide benchmark data as well as the quantum technology gravity gradient sensor. This involves close liaison with colleagues across campus, especially as part of QuSIT, partner institutions, project partners and asset or land owners. This role will involve working closely with civil engineers, computational modellers, physicists, and geophysicists to organise trials addressing scientific research questions. Work with asset owners will also concentrate on determining the value of the data.

Role Summary

• Design and conduct large-scale laboratory and field trials using both classical as well as quantum technology sensors
• Liaise with others within QuSIT to develop trials which answer scientifically interesting research questions and/or demonstrate the benefits of the QT gravity gradiometer in a range of different use cases
• Process, analyse and interpret data from the trials, using existing models and develop new techniques
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to interpret results and validate findings
• Contribute to technical reports, journal and conference publications, and presentations
• Collaborate with physicists, engineers, and geoscientists to enhance sensor usability
• Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids
• Operate within area of specialism
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results
• Contribute to generating funding
• Contribute to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar

The successful candidate will join a thriving quantum technology applications research base at the University of Birmingham spanning engineering, physics and earth sciences. The University has been active in quantum technologies since 2014 and now leads the UK Quantum Technology Research Hub in Sensing, Imaging and Timing (QuSIT). Bringing together academic partners from seven universities, the British Geological Survey and the National Physical Laboratory, this interdisciplinary Hub is active in translating quantum technology research into applications, including numerous collaborative projects with industry. The Geotechnical Engineering Research Group, in the School of Engineering, is dedicated to research in underground space. The School of Engineering is home to the National Buried Infrastructure Facility (www.birmingham.ac.uk/nbif). The group promotes an open and inclusive culture, fostering a friendly, supportive and collaborative working environment. The group brings together people with skillsets from across areas such as geotechnical engineering, archaeology, geophysics, sensing and machine learning, with group members from seven different countries, speaking over ten different languages.

Perks of this role include:

• Opportunity to undertake high quality research in a highly visible area with connection to impact
• Working closely with people across different disciplines
• Opportunity to develop leadership skills and capacity, and to develop personal networks with industry and other stakeholders
• Training and development through the University and QuSIT
• Allocation of time to dedicate to personal career development, such as training and development of independent research ideas
• Standard benefits of working at the University (e.g. pension scheme)

Applicants are expected to demonstrate academic citizenship, develop and maintain mutually respectful and supportive working relationships with staff and students, and ensure their role impacts positively on others.

Main Duties

• Design and conduct large-scale laboratory and field trials using both classical geophysical as well as quantum technology sensors
• Collaborate within QuSIT team to develop trials which answer scientifically interesting research questions
• Seek out trial opportunities in collaboration with the wider team and the project partners
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to process, analyse and interpret the data from the trials, using existing approaches and developing new ones
• Contribute to publications, reports, and presentations, and support project coordination and stakeholder engagement
• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
• Undertake management/administration arising from research
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture

Person Specification

• PhD (or near to completion) in physics, engineering, geophysics, or a related field
• Expertise in (large-scale) laboratory experiments or field trials, ideally with experience using geophysical sensors such as gravimeters, ground penetrating radar or magnetometers
• Proficiency in scientific computing (e.g. Python, MATLAB, or similar) for data processing and data handling
• Experience with data processing, analysis and interpretation
• Excellent interdisciplinary communication – Strong collaborative skills to work effectively with physicists, engineers, geoscientists and asset owners.
• High level analytical capability
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly

Informal enquiries to Professor Nicole Metje, email: n.metje@bham.ac.uk or telephone 0121 414 4182

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.