Research Associate in Modelling Ultrasonic Particle Manipulation Devices

Economicsnetwork; Bristol; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative research opportunity awaits at a prestigious university, focusing on the development of acoustic manipulation devices. This role offers the chance to engage in cutting-edge interdisciplinary research, utilizing advanced multi-physics simulations to model forces and optimize acoustic fields for manipulating biological objects. With access to a fully equipped ultrasonics laboratory and high-performance computing resources, you will contribute to groundbreaking applications in biomedicine, including micro-scale tomography and neural cell stimulation. Join a dynamic team dedicated to pushing the boundaries of technology and science in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Qualifications

• Possess a relevant postgraduate research degree or equivalent experience.
• Enthusiasm for collaborative research across disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Modeling forces in acoustic manipulation devices.
• Optimizing acoustic fields for biological object manipulation.

Skills

Multi-physics simulations

Acoustic manipulation

Modeling forces

Optimizing acoustic fields

Education

Postgraduate research degree

Equivalent professional qualification/experience

Tools

High-performance computer cluster

Multi-channel signal generators

Transducers

Amplifiers

Job description

The role

This role is part of an ERC Advanced Grant. The project aims to develop acoustic manipulation devices that enable microscope users to move, assemble, and deform objects. This will be achieved using ultrasonic arrays to create static and dynamic forces applied to objects under observation by an optical microscope. The ideas will be applied to a wide range of matter, focusing on applications in biomedicine, including micro-scale tomography requiring precise 3D rotation of arbitrary-shaped objects, stimulation of neural cells requiring user-specified force-fields, and bone-tissue engineering.

This role involves working on the modelling aspects of the project, including:

1. Multi-physics simulations of forces on objects in acoustic devices
2. Optimising acoustic fields for efficient and targeted manipulation

The project is an interdisciplinary collaboration between researchers at the University of Bristol, the University of Lille, France, and the Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria. The role requires enthusiasm for collaborative research and willingness to work across disciplinary boundaries.

What will you be doing?

You will be based in the Ultrasonics and Non-Destructive Testing (UNDT) research group within the School of Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bristol. Your research will focus on modeling forces in acoustic manipulation devices and optimizing acoustic fields to manipulate biological objects such as cells and micro-organisms.

The University of Bristol offers a fully equipped ultrasonics laboratory with multi-channel signal generators, amplifiers, transducers, and arrays. A high-performance computer cluster is also available for large and parallel models, which you will have full access to.

You should apply if

You possess a relevant postgraduate research degree, an equivalent professional qualification/experience, or are working towards one.

Additional information

For informal queries please contact:

Prof. Bruce Drinkwater - [e-mail]

Learn more about working in the Faculty of Engineering and how the Faculty supports staff at:

https://engineeringincludesme.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/

Contract type: Open-ended with fixed funding for 3 years.

Application deadline: 23:59 UK time on Wednesday, 28th May.

Interviews are expected to take place on Friday, 6th June.

Our strategy and mission

We recently launched our strategy to 2030, aligning our mission, vision, and values.

The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential.

We seek to attract, develop, and retain individuals with diverse experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives—particularly people of colour, LGBT+ individuals, and disabled people—because diversity of people and ideas is essential to our excellence as a global civic institution.

Salary: £38,249 to £44,128 per annum, Grade: I