Postdoctoral Research Associate in Applied Mathematics

The Universities of Liverpool and Bath are seeking to appoint a highly motivated and skilled Postdoctoral Researcher to join our highly interdisciplinary research team working on an innovative project aimed at enhancing first-person navigation in challenging environments using acoustics. The project focuses on developing an acoustic system that provides rapid identification of people, obstacles and topology (e.g. tunnels, stairways) in closed spaces, facilitating navigation for teams such as firefighters in complex, hazardous environments.

The position will be hosted in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at the University of Liverpool and will include regular visits to the Department of Physics at University of Bath for the experimental work. It is expected that the successful candidate will spend half their time in Liverpool and half their time in Bath. This project is an excellent way to combine and demonstrate the dual use of mathematical techniques and acoustic sensors.

All staff recruited to this project are required to undergo security checks to be carried out by the National Security Technology Innovation Exchange (NSTIx) before being employed. The post is available as soon as possible until 31 December 2027.

Key responsibilities and duties:

• Use analytical and numerical mathematical tools to design a sensor system using infrasound and ultrasound.
• Propose different sensor systems, based on a range of settings and scenarios of navigation in closed environments; these should detect obstacles and detect/characterise branches (e.g. holes, tunnels, stairways).
• Implement prototype systems and validate them in a laboratory setting (at the University of Bath) and field tests, as required by the funder and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with a second team (at the Universities of Leeds, Durham, and Birmingham) developing navigation systems and integrating sensing data into a head-mounted Augmented Reality system, jointly defining the specifications (e.g., data types, optimal refresh rates).
• Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences.
• Communicate and collaborate effectively with colleagues within and outside the immediate team, including end-users and stakeholders.

For informal inquiries about the position, please contact Professor Daniel Colquitt, University of Liverpool (d.colquitt@liverpool.ac.uk) and/or Dr Philippe Blondel, University of Bath (pyspb@bath.ac.uk).

You should have a PhD (or close to completion) in Applied Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, or a closely related discipline.

If you are still awaiting your PhD to be awarded you will be appointed at Grade 6, spine point 30.  Upon written confirmation that you have been awarded your PhD, your salary will be increased to Grade 7, spine point 31.

Commitment to Diversity

The University of Liverpool is committed to enhancing workforce diversity. We actively seek to attract, develop, and retain colleagues with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. We welcome applications from all genders/gender identities, Black, Asian, or Minority Ethnic backgrounds, individuals living with a disability, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.