Research Associate: Steel Structures & Sustainable Design

The Knowledge Transfer Network Limited; Smethwick; Remote; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Hadley Group is seeking a Research Associate (KTP Associate) to advance steel structures and sustainable design. The role spans experimental testing, ABAQUS-based modelling, and AI-informed surrogate modelling, with collaboration across Hadley Group and the University of Sheffield.

You will help develop lighter, more efficient steel profiles and deliver practical design tools, documentation, and knowledge transfer across teams and sites in Smethwick and Sheffield.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent experience in structural engineering or related field.
• Experience with full-scale testing and instrumentation.
• Strong modelling skills in finite element analysis and materials.
• Experience with AI-informed surrogate modelling is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop experimental methodologies and undertake full-scale structural testing of steel sections and systems.
• Develop and validate nonlinear finite element models in ABAQUS.
• Undertake parametric studies and surrogate modelling to aid rapid prediction of structural performance.
• Translate findings into design tools, software workflows and guidance for Hadley Group.

Skills

Experimental testing

Finite element modelling

Data analysis

AI-informed surrogate modelling

Education

PhD in structural engineering

MSc in a relevant field

Tools

ABAQUS

Python scripting

MATLAB

Job description

Hadley Group is seeking a Research Associate (KTP Associate) to advance steel structures and sustainable design. The role spans experimental testing, ABAQUS-based modelling, and AI-informed surrogate modelling, with collaboration across Hadley Group and the University of Sheffield.

You will help develop lighter, more efficient steel profiles and deliver practical design tools, documentation, and knowledge transfer across teams and sites in Smethwick and Sheffield.