Research Fellow 774285
| Posting date: | 08 December 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £47,389 to £58,225 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 05 January 2026 |
| Location: | Glasgow, Scotland |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 2 days per week |
| Company: | University of Strathclyde |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | 774285 |
Summary
The Sensor Enabled Research & Control Hub (SEARCH) at the University of Strathclyde are seeking to recruit a Research Fellow to develop, manage and coordinate R&D activities focused on in-process inspection of fusion welding and additive manufacturing operations within large multi-partner collaborative research projects.
SEARCH focusses on automated in-process inspection of high-value components at the point of manufacture, working alongside industrial partners in the Energy, Marine, Defence and Aerospace sectors. Featuring a new £2.1M laboratory and housing state-of-the-art equipment, SEARCH aims to deliver impact at pace and scale to key external partners.
Traditionally, the welding and inspection of such components are distinctly separate manufacturing processes. This ultimately limits productivity and throughput along with increased re-work if defects are only detected post-build. We are investigating novel in-process ultrasonic inspection directly at the point of joining and deposition. This allows detection of imperfections and flaws as they occur, reducing rework and removes redundant mid-stage inspections, delivering high-quality components right, first time.
You will form part of an amazing, diverse and inclusive team of talented people consisting of 8 academics, over 35 researchers/PhD Students and multiple technicians that provide specialist knowledge and technical expertise across a range of innovative technologies.
As a SEARCH Research Fellow, you’ll have a role that’s out of the ordinary - Working alongside SEARCH colleagues you will research and develop the latest cutting-edge novel innovations in in-process inspection at the point of manufacture.
Daily activities within the role will include one or more of the following depending on skills and experience:
• research in high-temperature phased array ultrasonics
• in-process phased array ultrasonic imaging during fusion welding
• signal processing, automated data and defect interpretation/sentencing
• translation of in-process inspection innovations to industrial partner sites and shopfloors.
You will be lead and be responsible for aspects related to enhancing the in-process inspection, imaging and defect detection/interpretation in weld manufacturing in-process inspections. You will be motivated by the aim of acquiring, interpreting and reporting scientific in-process inspection results to the supervision team, industrial stakeholders, and the overall project team. You will be motivated in translating such innovations onto industrial partner sites and factories, engaging with the partners to ensure successful trialling and optimisation. Scientific publication and dissemination of results will be required, through both academic journals and conferences.
To be considered for the role, you will have a good honours degree and PhD / higher degree (or equivalent professional experience) in appropriate discipline. (e.g. mechanical & electrical engineering, physics, automation); or have equivalent relevant experience in addition to a relevant Degree. You will have an ability to conduct individual research work, manage and supervise other researchers, disseminate results and be responsible for acquisition of funding (as PI/Co-I). You will have excellent written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to listen, engage and persuade and to present complex information in an accessible way to a range of audiences, and you will have the ability to work as part of a team, integrating with existing research team members and collaborating effectively with both academic and industrial partners.
The Research Fellow will be required to travel to partner sites for technical meetings and project demonstrations on a regular basis and, as such, applicants must be willing and able to travel. Applications from candidates with a valid UK driving licence are therefore desirable.
While the initial post is for an initial 24-month period, the project is part of a much larger body of work and as such it is anticipated that continued employment would continue past this initial phase based on satisfactory performance.
* Whilst Research Fellows are sought for these positions, applications from candidates at Research Associate level may also be considered. Dependent on the profile and experience of the candidate the appointment may be made at a lower level (RS07 salary scale £37,694 - £46,049) and duties will be adjusted to reflect the grade of the post.
SEARCH focusses on automated in-process inspection of high-value components at the point of manufacture, working alongside industrial partners in the Energy, Marine, Defence and Aerospace sectors. Featuring a new £2.1M laboratory and housing state-of-the-art equipment, SEARCH aims to deliver impact at pace and scale to key external partners.
Traditionally, the welding and inspection of such components are distinctly separate manufacturing processes. This ultimately limits productivity and throughput along with increased re-work if defects are only detected post-build. We are investigating novel in-process ultrasonic inspection directly at the point of joining and deposition. This allows detection of imperfections and flaws as they occur, reducing rework and removes redundant mid-stage inspections, delivering high-quality components right, first time.
You will form part of an amazing, diverse and inclusive team of talented people consisting of 8 academics, over 35 researchers/PhD Students and multiple technicians that provide specialist knowledge and technical expertise across a range of innovative technologies.
As a SEARCH Research Fellow, you’ll have a role that’s out of the ordinary - Working alongside SEARCH colleagues you will research and develop the latest cutting-edge novel innovations in in-process inspection at the point of manufacture.
Daily activities within the role will include one or more of the following depending on skills and experience:
• research in high-temperature phased array ultrasonics
• in-process phased array ultrasonic imaging during fusion welding
• signal processing, automated data and defect interpretation/sentencing
• translation of in-process inspection innovations to industrial partner sites and shopfloors.
You will be lead and be responsible for aspects related to enhancing the in-process inspection, imaging and defect detection/interpretation in weld manufacturing in-process inspections. You will be motivated by the aim of acquiring, interpreting and reporting scientific in-process inspection results to the supervision team, industrial stakeholders, and the overall project team. You will be motivated in translating such innovations onto industrial partner sites and factories, engaging with the partners to ensure successful trialling and optimisation. Scientific publication and dissemination of results will be required, through both academic journals and conferences.
To be considered for the role, you will have a good honours degree and PhD / higher degree (or equivalent professional experience) in appropriate discipline. (e.g. mechanical & electrical engineering, physics, automation); or have equivalent relevant experience in addition to a relevant Degree. You will have an ability to conduct individual research work, manage and supervise other researchers, disseminate results and be responsible for acquisition of funding (as PI/Co-I). You will have excellent written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to listen, engage and persuade and to present complex information in an accessible way to a range of audiences, and you will have the ability to work as part of a team, integrating with existing research team members and collaborating effectively with both academic and industrial partners.
The Research Fellow will be required to travel to partner sites for technical meetings and project demonstrations on a regular basis and, as such, applicants must be willing and able to travel. Applications from candidates with a valid UK driving licence are therefore desirable.
While the initial post is for an initial 24-month period, the project is part of a much larger body of work and as such it is anticipated that continued employment would continue past this initial phase based on satisfactory performance.
* Whilst Research Fellows are sought for these positions, applications from candidates at Research Associate level may also be considered. Dependent on the profile and experience of the candidate the appointment may be made at a lower level (RS07 salary scale £37,694 - £46,049) and duties will be adjusted to reflect the grade of the post.
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