Skip to main content

This job has expired

Research Fellow in Railway Track Infrastructure

Employer
Global Academy Jobs
Location
United Kingdom
Closing date
Sep 4, 2017

Job Details

Research Fellow in Railway Track Infrastructure Infrastructure Group

Location: Highfield Campus

Salary:  £29,301 to £36,001 per annum

Full Time Fixed Term (for 2 years, 6 months)

Closing Date:  Sunday 03 September 2017

Interview Date:  To be confirmed

Reference: 902617AT

The Faculty of Engineering and the Environment has an opportunity for a researcher to join a world-leading team developing low-maintenance, long-life railway track systems. The post, funded for 2.5 years, has been primarily created to develop, carry out and interpret data from field monitoring programmes. There could also be opportunities to carry out laboratory testing and to develop numerical models.  More information on the related research can be found at www.t2f.org.uk.

Monitoring the performance of live railway tracks may be carried out in a number of different ways. Selection of appropriate sensors/techniques and logging systems depends on the objectives of the monitoring and site access conditions. Sensors/techniques commonly used include accelerometers, geophones, pressure cells, high speed filming with digital image correlation, multi-depth deflectometers, strain gauges and shape arrays. Selection of appropriate sensors and logging systems requires an understanding/appreciation of the anticipated local track system performance. Deployment of systems also requires an appreciation of the safety procedures for working on railways.

Over a number of years the University of Southampton has developed systems for field deployment at railway sites but we are always looking to further develop our offering and to improve the quality and breadth of measurements to gain improved insights into railway track system performance. Our field deployments usually focus on particular “problem” sites, e.g. level crossings, transition zones, S & C and bridge expansion zones. Studies at problem sites improve the understanding of the mechanical performance of particular track system solutions so that improvements can be made in both design and maintenance.

The role would be within both the geomechanics and infrastructure research groups with the focus of the monitoring on the interaction between the superstructure (e.g. rails and sleepers) and the substructure (ballast and other soil layers). Your role would be to work within a team of existing researchers and to take a leading role in further developing the existing field monitoring systems, for example, by trialling/developing the use of new generations of sensors. One particular strand of development would be the use of lower cost MEMs sensors. Interpretation of the monitoring data is usually carried out in Matlab using signal processing tools. The role requires having or developing a working knowledge of filtering techniques (e.g. Butterworth type filters) and being confident to assess data in the frequency domain (following the use of Fourier Transforms). The role requires having or being willing to develop an appreciation of the effects of filtering, the role of oversampling and the likely operational ranges encountered of particular sensors based on simple numerical and/or analytical models of track system behaviour. Interpretation of the results requires an appreciation of structural mechanics and soil mechanics.

Applications will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification* and experience in civil engineering or a related area. 

Informal enquiries to Rod Anderson, Rail Centre Coordinator, email r.g.anderson@soton.ac.ukor telephone +44 (0)23 8059 3960.

 

About the Faculty

The University of Southampton is an institution in the top one per cent of world universities** and one of the UK’s top 15 research-intensive universities.  We have an international reputation for research, teaching and enterprise. 

You will join a leading Engineering Faculty with an excellent record of collaborative research with industry and academic institutions in the UK and abroad.  The University is first for research power in General Engineering in the UK Research Excellence Framework. In September 2013 an Athena SWAN Bronze award was received in recognition of our continued commitment to improving equality for women in science and engineering.

*Applications will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification and have experience in civil engineering or a related area.  The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon completion of PhD.  Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given.

**QS World University Rankings 2012-13

Company

Global Academy Jobs works with over 250 universities worldwide to promote academic mobility and international research collaboration. Global problems need international solutions. Our jobs board and emails reach the academics and researchers who can help.

"The globalisation of higher education continues apace, driving in turn the ongoing development of the global knowledge economy, striving for solutions to the world’s problems and educating a next generation of leaders and contributors."

Company info
Website

Get job alerts

Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert