Research Assistant / Associate - Biomechanics of Injury

This exciting post is funded by Autoliv Development AB (Autoliv Research) to develop a new evidence-based method for testing solutions designed to protect against facial impacts in road traffic collisions.

Face is a commonly impacted area in cyclists, motorcyclists and e-scooter riders during road traffic collisions. In addition to brain injuries, facial impacts can cause complex fractures, such as facial and basilar skull fractures with life-changing and fatal consequences. However, apart from full-face helmets, there is no effective solution for protection against facial impacts. In addition, the existing standard methods for testing facial impacts use linear acceleration of the head or deflection of the helmet chin-bar to assess the chin-bar of full-face helmets. This approach does not address protection against facial injuries and particularly basilar skull fracture which is caused by the neck forces. This project aims to bridge this important gap.

The Research Assistant/Associate will carry out research programmes in Biomechanics of Injury, which involves analysing real-world road traffic collisions data and computational modelling. They will be expected to collaborate effectively with Autoliv scientists and engineers. The Research Associate will also be expected to submit publications to world-leading journals and contribute to attracting external research funding.

Research Duties:

• To take initiatives in the planning of research


• To identify and develop suitable techniques for the analysis of data


• To develop MADYMO multi-body dynamics and LS-DYNA finite element models


• To reconstruct real-world road traffic collisions


• To ensure the validity and reliability of the simulations


• To maintain accurate and complete records of all findings


• To collaborate with Autoliv scientists and engineers for the successful delivery of the project


• To attend project meetings held nationally or internationally


• To publish in high quality journals and to present the work at national and international meetings


• To contribute to bids for research grants


• To develop contacts and research collaborations within the College and the wider community


• To promote the reputation of the Group, the Department and the College


• To conduct and plan own scientific work with appropriate supervision


• To assist in the supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate research students and research assistants as required


• To comply with the College, Division, and Unit safety practices and to attend courses on safety when appropriate


• Any other duties as may be deemed reasonable by Head of group as well as Head of the Department

Other Duties:

• To undertake any necessary training and/or development


• To undertake appropriate administration tasks


• To attend relevant meetings


• Research Associate: Hold a PhD in in Biomechanics, Impact Mechanics or a closely related discipline, or equivalent research, industrial or commercial experience

Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant.

• Research Assistant: A first / master's degree (or equivalent) in Biomechanics, Impact Mechanics
  
  Practical experience within a research environment


• Practical experience in data analysis and computational modelling


• Practical experience in finite element modelling and multibody dynamics modelling

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of biomechanics and computational modelling


• Knowledge of statistical procedures

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to conduct a detailed review of recent literature


• Ability to develop and apply new concepts


• Creative approach to problem-solving


• Excellent verbal communication skills


• Excellent written communication skills and the ability to write clearly and succinctly


• Ability to organise own work with minimal supervision