Vacancies: Research

School of Engineering & Physical Sciences

Research Associate Position in Fuel Cells & Polymer Membrane - Ref 07/10/W

Research Associate Position in Fuel Cells & Polymer Membrane - Ref 07/10/W

A Research Associate position is available for the investigation of novel materials for polymer membrane fuel cells and further optimisation of the fuel cell performance.  This post is funded by the EPSRC following a successful feasibility study.

The successful candidate will have or about to obtain a PhD in a relevant area of chemistry or materials science. Applicants with demonstrated experiences in synthesis of ion exchange or ionic conducting polymer membranes, particularly anion exchange membranes are welcome. Some basic knowledge in fuel cells or electrochemistry, experience in polymer membrane electrolyte fuel cells, particularly alkaline membrane fuel cells is preferable.

The post is available for 12 months from 1st March 2010 or sooner after.

Informal enquiries may be made to Dr Shanwen Tao at S.Tao@hw.ac.uk

Ref    07/10/W                                           
Closing date:   20 February 2010

International Centre for Island Technology (ICIT) - Institute of Petroleum Engineering

Post Doctoral Research Associate - EU FP7 Project MESMA - Ref 16/10/W

Post Doctoral Research Associate - EU FP7 Project MESMA - Ref 16/10/W

Based at our Orkney Campus, we are looking for a highly motivated Post Doctoral Research Associate with a socio-economic background in high level research in fisheries and marine spatial planning to support ICIT participation in this exciting European project.   The post is available for 28 months.

Informal enquiries may be made to: Kate Bullen, ICIT, Heriot-Watt University, The Old Academy, Stromness, Orkney. KW16 3AW (Tel: 01856 850605), or by email: k.l.bullen@hw.ac.uk  Web: www.icit.hw.ac.uk

Ref    16/10/W                                           
Closing date:   12 February 2010

School of Mathematical & Computer Sciences

Research Associate in Mathematics - Ref 18/10/W

Research Associate in Mathematics - Ref 18/10/W

Applications are invited for the position of Research Associate in the Department of Mathematics at Heriot-Watt University, working on a project entitled 'Spectral-type problems and nonlinear boundary value problems'.

This position is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.

The project is to investigate spectral-type properties of various homogeneous, nonlinear boundary value problems (e.g. for the p-Laplacian) and then use these properties to obtain qualitative properties of the solution sets of more general (non-homogeneous) problems.  Both ordinary and partial differential equations will be considered, and the project will use many techniques from nonlinear analysis, such as nonlinear functional analysis, bifurcation theory, degree theory, variational methods.

Applicants should have a PhD, or an equivalent level of professional qualifications, and research experience in differential equations, or a closely related discipline.  A demonstrated strong track record of original research is essential.  Informal enquiries may be made to Prof Bryan Rynne bryan@ma.hw.ac.uk.

The post is available at a mutually agreed date on or after 1 May 2010 for a period of 36 months.  We reserve the right not to consider applications received after this date, or applications that are incomplete.

Ref    18/10/W                                           
Closing date:   5 March 2010

School of Mathematical & Computer Sciences

Research Associate for UKRC project SerenA - Ref 25/10/W

Research Associate for UKRC project SerenA - Ref 25/10/W

SerenA -the Serendipity Arena - is a project funded by UKRC to investigate the generation of serendipitous connections in research and is due to start in June 2010 for 36 months. It has 6 University partners - Heriot-Watt, Dundee, Lancaster, Nottingham, UCL and Goldsmiths. It aims to design and implement a Serendipity Arena, called SerenA, that will proactively search information available in a user’s documents and on the Web to identify relevant knowledge and connections related to their work and their environment.

Required: Experience and degree-level or higher qualification containing a substantial element of AI and extensive programming in C++ or Java, ability to work well in a group and without supervision, good problem-solving skills and practical software development skills, strong written and verbal communication skills. You must be willing to travel to collaborate on other partner sites and it is desirable that they have some familiarity with the research themes of the project, experience of independent research and publications, and experience of programming on mobile platforms such as Google Android.

For further information contact Prof Ruth Aylett, ruth@macs.hw.ac.uk, http://www.macs.hw.ac.uk/~ruth/, 0131-451-4189

Ref    25/10/W                                           
Closing date:   5 March 2010

School of Mathematical & Computer Sciences

Part-time Project Research Administrator for UKRC network SPIRES - Ref 26/10/W

Part-time Project Research Administrator for UKRC network SPIRES - Ref 26/10/W

The SPIRES network - Supporting People Investigating Research Environments and Spaces - has been funded by UKRC (EPSRC) for 36 months starting from August 2010. SPIRES arises from a Digital Economy sandpit held in July 2009 on Effective Research Spaces aims to bring together currently disparate groups interested in the design of effective research spaces and environments in order to create a new research community. Through a set of focused workshop and outreach activities it will bring together the three perspectives of physical spaces, novel technology, and social interaction to support a new synthesis of ideas and new conversations between groups currently not in contact with each other.

Required: Interest in learning spaces/research environments, Bachelors or Masters degree containing a high computing content, excellent web development skills, ability to work in a team, good organisation, communication and time management skills. Desirably candidates should have the desire and ability to register for a part-time PhD, preferably in Research Environments, experience of organising educational or training events, and experience of designing and/or carrying out field evaluations.

Heriot-Watt’s School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences is internationally renowned for its research in computational and mathematical sciences. In Computer Science, strong groups with excellent international profiles pursue foundational and strategic research and HW-CS is a member of the Scottish Informatics and Computer Science Alliance, bringing together the strongest Scottish research departments in the discipline.

For further information contact Prof Ruth Aylett, ruth@macs.hw.ac.uk, http://www.macs.hw.ac.uk/~ruth/, 0131-451-4189

Ref    26/10/W                                           
Closing date:   5 March 2010