UCD Postdoc Lvl 1 x 2,Civil Engineering, Temp 30 months

EURAXESS Ireland; Dublin; Remote; EUR 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

University College Dublin invites applications for a postdoctoral PD1 position in the SYN-Bridge project. The role focuses on developing and validating methods for assessing bridge condition using measurements from instrumented vehicles and stationary sensors.

The successful candidate will advance damage detection, vehicle-bridge interaction analysis, and probabilistic assessments, contributing to publications and project datasets over a 36-month period.

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field and strong research record.
• Experience in structural dynamics and structural health monitoring.
• Demonstrated ability to publish and present research.
• Good understanding of operational requirements for research projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop, test and validate methods for assessing bridge condition.
• Move from numerical simulations to laboratory validation and field trials.
• Contribute to shared datasets and peer-reviewed publications.
• Lead work-package activities according to expertise.

Skills

Numerical modelling

MATLAB

Python

Bridge dynamics

Data analysis

Machine learning

Finite element modelling

Signal processing

Bayesian methods

Education

PhD in civil/structural engineering, applied mathematics or statistics

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Finite element software

Job description

Organisation/Company University College Dublin Research Field Engineering » Civil engineering Engineering » Civil engineering Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Application Deadline 9 Nov 2026 - 12:53 (UTC) Country Ireland Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

SYN-Bridge (Synchronized Mobile and Stationary Sensor Networks for Real-Time Bridge Health Assessment) is a 36-month US-Ireland R&D Partnership project between University College Dublin, Queen's University Belfast and a partner university in the United States. The UCD component is funded by Research Ireland. The project combines measurements from instrumented vehicles with stationary sensors on the bridge to produce reliable indicators of bridge condition.

The posts exist to deliver UCD's contribution to Work Package 1, Development and Testing of Damage Detection Algorithms, which UCD leads. Reporting to the Principal Investigator, the postholders will develop, test, and validate methods for assessing bridge condition, moving from numerical simulation through laboratory validation to field trials with project partners. The work will initially cover damage detection and the identification of vehicle loads, together with the probabilistic assessment of detection reliability and digital-twin modelling; the allocation of work between the two posts will depend on the expertise of the appointees and on how the research develops. Expected outcomes are validated methods, contributions to shared project datasets and peer-reviewed publications.

The PD1 position is intended for early-stage researchers, either just after completion of a PhD or for someone entering a new area for the first time. If you have already completed your PD1 stage in UCD or will soon complete a PD1, or you are an external applicant whose total Postdoctoral experience, inclusive of the duration of the advertised post, would exceed 4 years, you should not apply and should refer to PD2 posts instead.

Additional Information

Eligibility criteria

Mandatory:

• PhD in structural, civil or mechanical engineering, applied mathematics or statistics, or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated research experience in structural dynamics, structural health monitoring, structural reliability or a related area.
• A demonstrated commitment to research and publications.
• An understanding of the operational requirements for a successful research project.
• Evidence of research activity (publications, conference presentations, awards) and future scholarly output (working papers, research proposals, and ability to outline a research project.
• Excellent Communication Skills (Oral, Written, Presentation, etc).
• Excellent Organisational and Administrative skills, including a proven ability to work to deadlines.
• Candidates must demonstrate an awareness of the equality, diversity and inclusion agenda.

The PD1 position is intended for early-stage researchers, either just after completion of a PhD or for someone entering a new area for the first time. If you have already completed your PD1 stage in UCD or will soon complete a PD1, or you are an external applicant whose total Postdoctoral experience, inclusive of the duration of the advertised post, would exceed 4 years, you should not apply and should refer to PD2 posts instead.

• Experience of numerical modelling or data analysis of structural response.
• Strong programming skills in MATLAB or Python.
• Experience in bridge dynamics, vehicle-bridge interaction or structural health monitoring of bridges.
• Experience in inverse problems, system identification or signal processing applied to measured structural response.
• Experience in machine learning applied to vibration or strain data.
• Experience in processing experimental data from laboratory or field tests.
• Experience in Monte Carlo simulation, Bayesian methods or Probability of Detection analysis.
• Experience in digital twins, model updating or finite element modelling of bridges.
• Experience in value-of-information analysis or optimal sensor placement.
• Experience in setting own research agenda.