Researcher in Integrated Computational Materials Engineering

Onsite This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location.

We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact.

Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook.

Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.

Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

Here at the University of Derby, the College of Science and Engineering is the home of STEM: the skills that are essential to the UK’s Industrial Strategy.

From digitisation to decarbonisation, we have an important role to play in shaping the future.

And by researching or collaborating with us, you can too.

The College brings together a powerful combination of scientific expertise, technological innovation, and creative practice.

With disciplines spanning computing, AI, data science, engineering, environmental sciences, built environments and psychology - we are uniquely positioned to solve real-world challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration.

Our courses are designed with employability and future industry needs in mind, supported by cutting-edge facilities, strong employer partnerships, and a commitment to sustainability.

Through applied research and hands‑on learning, we equip students and staff to drive progress in areas that matter most; from smart technology to clean energy, advanced manufacturing to immersive design.

School of Engineering and Built Environment

The School of Engineering and Built Environmentat the University of Derby is a dynamic and future‑focused academic community that blends technical excellence with creative innovation.

It offers a wide range of programmes across engineering, architecture, construction, and design, preparing students to tackle global challenges in sustainability, infrastructure, and the built environment.

The School is home to research‑active academics with backgrounds in engineering, architecture, interior design, and construction.

Our staff bring real‑world experience and academic rigour to the classroom, supporting students in developing both creative portfolios and technical competencies.

The discipline area is located in the University’s STEM annex in Markeaton Street, where staff offices and lab facilities are co‑located.

Key investments in the last few years include dedicated intelligent instrumentation and smart sensor technologies, robotics, renewable energy, power engineering and advanced materials and manufacturing.

The discipline area is actively engaged in knowledge exchange projects and has an active applied research agenda.

We are seeking a Researcher with proven experience in computational methods to join our team and contribute to a range of internationally funded research projects.

The postholder will play a key role in the European‑funded PANTAREI project, while also supporting activities within the NATO Science for Peace‑funded ATHENA project, focused on nanocomposites for space applications, and the ESA Topical Team ENABLE.

Working closely with the Principal Investigator and project partners, you will contribute to the development and application of innovative research methodologies, undertake data analysis and investigation, and help advance knowledge within these cutting‑edge research areas.

You will be expected to take initiative in shaping research activities, contribute to funding proposals where appropriate, and build collaborative relationships with academic and external stakeholders.

The role also includes supporting the supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate students involved in project‑related research, helping to develop their research skills and contributing to teaching activities where appropriate.

A key aspect of the position will be disseminating research outcomes through publications in high‑quality journals and presentations at national and international conferences, in line with the projects’ dissemination objectives.

The PANTAREI Project

PANTAREI provides concrete, attractive, interdisciplinary and tech‑oriented solutions for digitalising the entire life cycle of complex multi‑scale bio‑derived materials, from the design, to meta‑structures realization and assessment stage.

Buildings are globally responsible for more than 30% of total energy use and 19% of global Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions.

They wield a colossal and far‑reaching impact on the environment, voraciously consuming vast natural resources and spewing out emissions that fuel the relentless advance of global warming.

The future of sustainable constructions is represented by the Net‑Zero Energy Building (NZEB) concept, that pertains to a structurally advanced and highly energy‑efficient edifice, which, over a defined timeframe, generally a year, generates an equivalent amount of energy as it consumes.

To materialise this goal, there is the urgency to overcome an evident mismatch between digital technologies and meta‑structures made of novel sustainable materials.

You will hold, or be close to completing, a Ph D in Computational Mechanics, Applied Mathematics, Applied Physics, or a related discipline, with experience of delivering high‑quality research in computational modelling and simulation.

You will have expertise in one or more of the following areas: computational multiscale/multiphysics analysis, finite element methods (e. g.

FEni CS), machine learning for materials and structural optimisation, high‑performance computing, or advanced programming and user‑defined subroutines.

Knowledge of Noise Reduction Methods and Thermal Analysis is welcome.

Experience with ICME tools and modern software engineering approaches for computational research is also essential.

With strong analytical, communication and problem‑solving skills, you will be able to work independently and collaboratively, contribute to publications and presentations, and support the supervision of student researchers.

You will be adaptable, proactive and committed to delivering high‑quality research outcomes within an international, multidisciplinary environment.

A Higher Education Academy (HEA) Fellowship is desirable but not essential. A willingness to travel occasionally within the UK and overseas is required.

• Under the direction of the Principal Investigator, contribute to the development of new knowledge and techniques to the research project(s).
• Contribute to the determination of appropriate research methodologies for the project(s).
• Analyse research findings and determine the need for further investigation.
• Contribute to the writing up of research findings and dissemination through publications or seminar and conference presentations.
• Assist with the preparation of proposals and applications to both external and/or internal bodies for funding, contractual or accreditation purposes.
• Support the supervision of undergraduate projects and postgraduate research students in conjunction with other staff, and provide training and limited teaching as appropriate.
• Assist in the development of student research skills, for example as part of a postgraduate supervision team.
• Plan and manage own research activity and initiate research relevant to the discipline or research project(s).
• Where opportunities exist within the research project(s), support the development and delivery of business engagement activities, developing entrepreneurial links with external organisations.
• Contribute to the writing of collective bids for funding, and, where funders permit, write individual bids for funding with appropriate support.
• Undertake appropriate training and staff development.
• Provide guidance as required to other colleagues working on related research project(s).
• Assist and help informally students working in the same research discipline.
• Develop internal and external contacts with other academic staff to form collaborative relationships and assist with their research project(s).
• Understand own development needs and formulate a personal development plan.
• Observe and implement University policies and procedures.
• Ph D (pending or awarded) in Computational Mechanics, Applied Mathematics or Applied Physics

Experience

• An appropriate level of digital capability with practical experience of applications
• Evidence of sufficient breadth or depth of research methodologies and techniques to work in research area
• Evidence of engagement in high‑quality research activity
• Experience in Integrated computational materials engineering (ICME) tools

Skills, knowledge & abilities

• Knowledge of modern software engineering experience for Multi‑Scale and Multi‑Physics simulations
• Knowledge in one or more of the following computational methodologies:
• Computational Multiscale and Multiphysics Analyses
• Finite Element Methods using Open‑Source Codes (e. g.: FEni CS)
• Machine Learning for Materials and Structural Optimisation
• High Performance Computing
• Extended programming skills for User‑Defined‑Subroutines
• Developing research skills, with the ability to creatively apply relevant research approaches, models, techniques and methods
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly both in writing and presentations
• Analytical ability to facilitate conceptual thinking, innovation and creativity
• Ability to build relationships and work collaboratively with colleagues, internally and externally
• Ability to use initiative and creativity to solve problems in a research context
• Self‑motivated and able to work independently and as part of a team
• Business requirements
• Demonstrate competences, core behaviours and supplementary behaviours that support and promote the University’s core value
• Flexible to the needs of others
• Committed to ensuring a high quality student experience
• Committed to a high‑performance culture, fostering continuous improvement and living quality
• Able to take a flexible approach to work
• Travel between sites and occasionally overseas for work
• Some evening and occasional weekend work

Qualifications

• Fellowship Status with the Higher Education Academic (HEA)
• Generous annual leave entitlement of 47 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
• Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family‑friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
• Discounted onsite gym
• Cycle to Work scheme
• A flexible working environment
• A commitment to personal and professional development

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Angelo Maligno, Research Chair in Composite Materials via a. maligno@derby. ac. uk

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby. ac. uk .

This role may be eligible for sponsorship by the University.

The offered salary for this role is less than the going rate for the occupation and the minimum salary threshold for the Skilled Worker route (£41,700 per annum, as of 22nd July 2025).

Therefore you will only be eligible to apply for a Skilled Worker visa subject to your individual circumstances which must meet one of the following criteria set out by UKVI :

• Your job is on the Immigration Skills List
• You’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training
• You have a Ph D level qualification that’s relevant to your job
• You have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education

Please note that the University will assess your individual eligibility for sponsorship at the shortlisting stage.

The University of Derby is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion, regardless of age, disability, trans status, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (or none), sex and sexual orientation.

We are Disability Confident Employers, demonstrating our commitment to disability inclusion, and invite applicants to highlight adjustments they may require to ensure equitable participation in our recruitment processes.

Further, we are committed to ensuring an environment which is trans and non‑binary‑inclusive for all our staff, students, partners, and visitors, and continuously review our policies, guidance and training.

When applying to join the University, you can choose your preferred title, including the gender‑neutral title 'Mx'.

We also ask our candidates if they would like to share their preferred pronouns.

This is voluntary but demonstrates our commitment to inclusivity for trans and non‑binary candidates.

Once employed, you can add pronouns and preferred names onto our system.

The University of Derby undertakes anonymised shortlisting during the staff recruitment process.

This means that, when shortlisting, panel members will not be able to see an applicant’s name and will see an applicant number instead.

This demonstrates the practical steps we are taking to remove barriers to recruitment by minimising the possible impact of our unconscious bias.

However you identify, we actively celebrate the knowledge, experience and talents each person brings.

Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds; therefore we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who will help our leaders and teams be more reflective of our student population.

At the University of Derby, we are passionate about embedding sustainability into everything that we do.

We aim to bring environmental sustainability into all aspects of the University, including teaching, research and operational activities.

In line with the University's strategic framework, we expect all our staff to embed sustainability into their working practices and support the University's objective to reach net zero carbon by 2050.

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