Research Associate For The RESURGAM Programme
University Of Lancaster
Description
Research Associate for the RESURGAM Programme
EngineeringSalary: £28,331 to £32,817 Closing Date: Tuesday 27 July 2021 Interview Date: To be confirmed Reference:A3305-R
Applications are invited for a Horizon 2020 (H2020-Mobility for Growth) funded post-doctoral research associate position, situated within the Engineering Department at Lancaster University, to work on a project entitled “RESURGAM – ROBOTIC SURVEY, REPAIR & AGILE MANUFACTURE”. Part of a collaborative programme involving 13 partners across the EU and UK, RESURGAM is described as follows:
RESURGAM focuses on developing innovative shipbuilding and maintenance technologies and approaches that will boost the competitiveness of European shipyards (especially the smaller shipyards), ensuring Europe remains a global leader in the production and maintenance of very high technology ships. RESURGAM will bring to bear two FSW systems, one a low cost welding head that can be retrofitted to existing CNC machining systems, and the second an AI enabled, underwater FSW robot. These, in combination with a supporting digital infrastructure will allow European shipbuilders, shipyards and maintenance stakeholders to deliver collaborative, flexible and modular shipbuilding and modification/retrofitting of ships as well as the in-water/underwater survey, repair and maintenance of ship hulls and other components. RESURGAM's FSW system and digital platform will enable collaborative production engineering, allowing European shipyards (especially the smaller shipyards) to be agile in building, modifying, retrofitting and maintaining ships, ship modules and components. RESURGAM digital platform and modular fabrication capability (enabled by FSW) will create a smart European shipbuilding and maintenance supply chain, streamlining production and maintenance processes in European shipyards, and providing a digital collaboration platform that will nurture supply chain synergies and spur continuous innovation or co-creation of innovative solutions that will allow Europe to stay ahead of competing regions like Asia.
To deliver the above innovation and competitive advantage vision and ambition, RESURGAM will draw, adapt and combine lessons and technologies from other sectors including automotive and aerospace (FSW, advanced robotic, digital production, flexible production systems, supply chain integration) and IT (computer vision, machine vision, IoT, digital platform with design/simulation tools, digital twins and VR for upskilling the supply chain).
The successful applicant will join a research team led by Prof Darren Williams, the researcher will have four primary objectives:
Develop Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning algorithms with defect classification features (for the Friction Stir Welding (FSW) process)
Acquire specifications, design and develop RESURGAM digital platform i.e. develop the digital platform, GUI, and overall ecosystem.
Develop and integrate digital simulation models (i.e. integrate available digital tools and develop a digital twin of the FSW process)
Develop and integrate RESURGAM training modules (i.e. create a training system and manual for new users)
The position is available to engineers / data scientists with experience of implementing data analytics in a manufacturing environment.
You will join us on an indefinite contract however, the role remains contingent on external funding which, at this time is due to come to an end on 31 January 2024.
Informal enquiries to Prof Darren Williams, email: Darren.williams@twi.co.uk.
The Engineering Department is committed to flexible working on an individual basis, welcomes and embraces diversity, and is committed to the Athena SWAN principles.
We welcome applications from people in all diversity groups.