Research Fellow in Civil Engineering

University of South Wales; Pontypridd; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of South Wales invites a highly motivated Research Fellow for a full-time, fixed-term post in Civil or Materials Engineering at the Pontypridd Campus. The role forms part of the Switch to Net Zero Buildings (SNZB) project funded by UKRI EPSRC, collaborating with industry partners to advance low-carbon building components.

You will bridge laboratory innovation and industrial adoption, conducting rheological studies, evaluating waste-derived materials, and delivering demonstrators,

Qualifications

• PhD in Civil or Materials Engineering with strong communication skills.
• Experience with cement, concrete and low-carbon formulations desirable.
• Ability to collaborate with academic and industrial partners.
• Good data handling and publication track record.

Responsibilities

• Produce demonstrator components and adoption-ready datasets.
• Publish high-quality research and write grant proposals.
• Investigate rheological and curing behaviour of low-carbon formulations.
• Assess waste aggregate variability and establish processing envelopes for automated manufacturing.

Skills

Communication skills

Networking

Education

PhD in Civil Engineering

Job description

Research Fellow in Civil Engineering

Company: University of South Wales

Salary: from £41,064 a year, pro rata

Hours: Full-time

Location: Pontypridd, CF37 1DL

Working pattern: On-site

Job type: Temporary

Posting date: 20 Oct 2026

Closing date: 2 Nov 2026

Summary

The University of South Wales seeks a highly motivated Research Fellow for a full‑time position in Civil or Materials Engineering. This role is funded by the Switch to Net Zero Buildings (SNZB) PBIAA grant via UKRI EPSRC for the project: "Accelerating Net‑Zero Construction in the Swansea Bay City Region: Validation and Industrial Scale‑up of Low‑Carbon Building Components Using Local Waste‑Derived Materials".

The post holder will bridge the "translation gap" between laboratory innovation and industrial adoption. Working closely with industrial partner Carapace Slate Ltd, you will investigate ultra low‑carbon roofing and façade products using regionally relevant waste materials, such as waste derived aggregates.

The Post holder will investigate the rheological and curing behaviour of low‑carbon formulations, assess the impact of waste aggregate variability, and establish validated processing envelopes for repeatable automated manufacturing. Responsibilities include producing demonstrator components, adoption‑ready datasets, high‑quality publications and grant proposals. The post holder should hold a PhD in Civil Engineering, Materials Engineering or a related discipline, with resin, cement and concrete knowledge and experience desirable, alongside good communication and networking skills for collaboration with partners.

This is a full‑time, fixed‑term position based at the Pontypridd Campus.

We welcome applications from the UK and worldwide; consideration is subject to relevant UK Visas & Immigration permissions.

For an informal conversation about this post please contact:

Dr Jiping Bai, Email: [e-mail]

Discover the advantages of working for USW: https://tinyurl.com/WorkatUSW

USW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All those working at the University are expected to share this commitment.

We are committed to employing a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment. Where colleagues can be themselves and every person is treated with dignity, fairness and respect. We actively encourage applications from diverse backgrounds and communities,

especially with regards to age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, race and religion and/or belief. We benchmark our success through equality accreditations with Athena Swan, Race Equality Charter, Stonewall and Disability Confident.

If you’re a Welsh learner or a Welsh speaker, we’d be delighted to receive your application. At USW, you’ll have access to Welsh courses to enable you to develop your Welsh skills further, in order to provide a bilingual service to our students, colleagues and the public.

We welcome applications in Welsh and English. Applications in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than those made in English.

Essential requirements

The Post holder will investigate the rheological and curing behaviour of low‑carbon formulations, assess the impact of waste aggregate variability, and establish validated processing envelopes for repeatable automated manufacturing. Responsibilities include producing demonstrator components, adoption‑ready datasets, high‑quality publications and grant proposals. The post holder should hold a PhD in Civil Engineering, Materials Engineering or a related discipline, with resin, cement and concrete knowledge and experience desirable, alongside good communication and networking skills for collaboration with partners.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Disability Confident Disability Confident is a government scheme. It encourages employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term health conditions.