Research Officer in Uncertainty Quantification

Job title:

Research Officer in Uncertainty Quantification

Company

Bangor University

Job description

Applications are invited for a fixed-term, full-time Postdoctoral Research Officer in Uncertainty Quantification working in the School of Computer Science and Engineering on a UKAEA project focusing on tritium mobility in lithium-based ceramics.Duties will include leading a modelling-focused work package aimed at quantifying and propagating the uncertainties arising from various parameters and mechanisms throughout a multiscale simulation code for tritium breeder blankets, and liaising with other group members involved in experimental work and atomistic simulation of tritium breeder blankets to validate the developed models.Candidates should possess or be close to completing a PhD in Physics, Mathematics, or Engineering, (or have equivalent research experience) and have previous experience in uncertainty quantification such as by using Bayesian statistics or other statistical or deterministic approaches.The successful candidate will be expected to commence on 1 April 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter, and the post is available until 31 March 2026.This role will be located on campus at Bangor. Through , there will also be the option to spend some time working remotely (although remaining in the UK) to support work life balance, which will be discussed further with candidates at interview.Applications will also be considered to carry out this role on a part-time or job share basis.Applications will only be accepted via our on-line recruitment website, jobs.bangor.ac.uk. However, in cases of access issues due to disability, paper application forms are available by telephoning 01248 383865.Closing date for applications: 12 March 2025Informal enquiries can be made by contacting: Dr Tessa Davey, Reader in the School of Computer Science and Engineering, t.davey@bangor.ac.ukCommitted To Equal OpportunitiesOverviewBangor University, through the Nuclear Futures Institute (NFI), has established a world leading capability in Nuclear Engineering, which is placing north Wales as a global centre, delivering international partnerships and opportunity from a rich mix of existing and new talent.The city of Bangor is located in an area of outstanding natural beauty close to the mountains of Eryri and the beach resorts of the North Wales coast and offers a quality of life that surpasses that in most regions of the UK. Lying on the Euroroute to Ireland, Bangor is served by fast train services to most major cities and excellent road connections via the A55 expressway to the motorway network. Manchester and Liverpool’s airports are within 90 minutes away by car.The ProjectTRIMAX is a joint project between Bangor University and the University of Birmingham whose objectives are to construct the necessary infrastructure as part of UKAEA’s LIBRTI programme in support future fusion reactor breeder blanket modules.The LIBRTI programme aims to provide the experimental testbed facility and digital platforms required to assist the design and testing of fusion reactor breeder blanket modules and to grow skills within UK industry and academia within the fusion fuel cycle.The TRIMAX project constitutes a foundational step in LIBRTI’s deliverables. The project objectives are the generation of systems level multiphysics code, equipped with uncertainty quantification, to predict the performance of lithium ceramic based breeder blankets, and validating and ameliorating this code with a combination of experiments (in collaboration with the University of Birmingham) and atomistic simulations. The research will lay the groundwork in the creation of a bespoke LIBRTI code for data analysis and predictions, as well as providing new insight into the structural characteristics of light element retention in ceramics, and the mechanisms governing the mobility of the latter within the former.Purpose of the JobThe post is part of a new team working in the area of tritium breeder blankets for fusion reactors. The post holder will develop and implement tools for multiphysics software validation, with particular emphasis on integration of uncertainty quantification throughout the code and performing sensitivity analysis of individual model parameters. The post holder will be responsible for developing, implementing, and publishing methods related to the quantification and propagation of uncertainty within the multiphysics code, as well as furthering the broader goals of the TRIMAX project by contributing to the design of simulation and experimental campaigns supporting the validation of the multiphysics code and liaising with external and internal partners and project management.Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Gathering and analysis of data and selection and development of appropriate uncertainty quantification techniques. Developing an understanding of the sources of uncertainty arising from the different parameters and properties relevant to the multiphysics code, and developing statistical and/or deterministic models to represent the uncertainty and its propagation throughout the code. Integrating these uncertainty models into the wider multiphysics code. Performing sensitivity analysis to understand how individual uncertainties affect the overall uncertainty of the system. Working alongside other team members in designing simulations or experiments to determine uncertainties or validate the models.

• Delivering research outcomes. Contribute to the dissemination of the research with project partners, UKAEA, and the broader community – this will include the composition of regular update reports for UKAEA and experimental colleagues in Birmingham, the presentation of the project and its findings at national and international conferences and meetings, preparation of manuscripts detailing the research undertaken on the project, and a composition of a final report on the TRIMAX project for submission to UKAEA.

• Administration of the research project. This includes participation on regular project meetings with the other work packages at Bangor and with experimental colleagues in Birmingham, and aiding the identification, benchmarking, and application for the computational resources needed to perform simulations for the project.

• Other duties and responsibilities specific to the role include advising and collaborating with masters and PhD students within the research programme, contribute to the undergraduate programme, organise and participate in college activities (seminars, workshops etc.), and applying for external funding.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• The post holder will be expected to participate in performance review and developmental activities.
• The post holder will be expected to comply with the University’s equality policies and statements, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Scheme.
• The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for themselves and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by their actions or inactions. The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments.
• The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their post.

Person SpecificationQualifications/TrainingEssential

• PhD (physics, mathematics, engineering or similar), or be close to the completion of or have equivalent research experience relevant to the role.

Experience/KnowledgeEssential

• Uncertainty quantification via statistical or other methods.
• Development and coded implementation of uncertainty models.
• Proven track record of publications in quality journals.
• Proven track record of conference presentations.

Desirable

• Bayesian statistics.
• Statistical physics of crystalline and amorphous solids.
• Understanding of meso and macroscale materials concepts.
• An understanding of multiscale modelling phenomena.
• Nuclear physics and nuclear engineering.
• Proven track record of publications in quality journals.
• Proven track record of conference presentations.

Skills/AbilitiesEssential

• Demonstrate good verbal and written skills, especially in the production of manuscripts and project reports.
• Demonstrate good analytical skills, ability to analyse numerical data and present results appropriately.
• Demonstrate the ability to prioritise work load and work to deadlines.
• Demonstrate the good presentation skills.
• No specific Welsh language requirement. Candidates will be expected to work positively in a bilingual environment.

Desirable

• Demonstrate proven project management skills.
• Demonstrate good computer skills, including high performance computing architecture.
• Demonstrate the ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.

GeneralThe University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We strive to develop a workforce from all sections of the community regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language through our progressive Welsh Language Policy. We comply with the Welsh Language Standards and are committed to equality of opportunity. You are welcome to apply for any job in English or Welsh and all applications submitted will be treated equally.We are a member of Advance HE’s Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter and hold a Silver award in recognition of our commitment to and progress towards gender equality within the University’s policies, practices, and culture. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.All members of staff have a duty to ensure their actions are in line with the overall environmental aims of the University and minimise their environmental impact.All offers are made subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and receipt of satisfactory references.We have a legal responsibility to ensure that you have the right to work in the UK before you can start working for us. When you apply for this post you will be required to explain the basis upon which you believe you will able to live and work in the UK legally on the commencement date of the role should your application be successful. If you do not have the right to work freely in any position in the UK already, any offer of employment we will make to you will be subject to you obtaining a right to work visa. The following link provides information on the various visa routes into employment and the eligibility requirements (including switching visa status where permissible) . If you are successful in your application we will discuss visa options with you at the time of making the offer of employment.Candidates should also note that they may be required to apply for an ATAS certificate (Academic Approval Technology Scheme) from the Counter-Proliferation and Arms Control Centre of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office before being able to apply for a visa –Please note that, in the event of applications being received from candidates on the University’s Redeployment Register with a reasonable skills match to the post specification, these applicants will be given prior consideration.

Expected salary

Location

Bangor, Co Down

Job date

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 03:44:17 GMT

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