Research Associate in Blast Engineering

Sheffield, England, United Kingdom

6/23/2025

The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

Are you a researcher looking to who is looking to expand their career in a collaborative and purposeful environment? This role is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the expansion of the blast and impact group’s capability as it seeks to lead and expand its work in explosive characterisation, underwater blast and explosion modelling. We are looking to recruit motivated researcher who will lead and perform research in these areas, who will have practical experience of blast experimentation, underwater blast loading, and demonstrable computational modelling experience in a relevant area. Your time will be split between the Sheffield City Centre campus and the Buxton blast laboratory. You will be a person who enjoys the challenges of working across different sites, on wide-ranging projects with multiple teams of people, and you will relish the challenge of advancing the state of the art in blast engineering.

Main Duties And Responsibilities

• Design and implementation of the experimental studies to support a range of group projects concerning explosive detonations, explosive characterisation, underwater blast, mitigation and structural response to dynamic loads.
• Computational modelling to support the group’s research remit, including modelling explosive detonations, blast wave propagation and structural response using software such as Viper:: Blast, LS Dyna and/or BlastFoam, including repeatability and/or optimisation studies.
• Processing data and preparing project deliverables to a range of funding bodies, industry, collaborative partners and other stakeholders.
• Involvement in wider group activities, such as running seminars, co-supervising students, supporting funding applications and organising meetings and industrial visits as necessary.
• Managing and overseeing budgets, reporting costs and resource deployment in co-operation with the Lab Manager and senior group staff.
• Dissemination of findings, including the co-authoring of high quality international journal publications, presenting at conferences and communicating findings to wider audiences as appropriate.
• Liaising with collaborators, industry, and funders to determine requirements and implement research projects which match their requirements.
• Developing new experimental techniques and modelling approaches to further the groups goals, especially those related to underwater blast.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post
  
  

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

Essential Or Desirable

Stage(s) assessed at

A PhD, or be near completion, in the field of engineering, physical or mathematical sciences, related to explosions and blast load characterisations

Essential

Application/interview

Experience in designing and running experimental blast trials using explosives and/or energetic materials, including proficiency with instrumentation including high-speed cameras and pressure transducers

Essential

Application/interview

Experience in designing and performing underwater explosive detonation experiments

Essential

Application/interview

Excellent organisation and time management skills, and the ability to plan own workload in accordance with the overall project goals

Essential

Application/interview

Strong and relevant publication record (relative to career stage)

Essential

Application

Computer programming skills and the ability to effectively manage and process experimental data

Essential

Application/interview

Demonstrable ability to lead technical staff and manage a diverse range of experimental work in the field of blast

Essential

Application/interview

Creative approach to analysing and solving problems, with an appreciation of longer-term impact

Essential

Application/interview

Willingness to be involved in wider research group activities including PhD supervision, chairing meetings, planning seminars and supporting funding applications

Essential

Application/interview

Ability to lead and work in teams with diverse individuals, including students, technical staff, researchers, academics and industrial collaborators.

Essential

Application/interview

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Essential

Application/interview

Eligibility for UK Security clearance

Essential

Application/interview

Experience and capability in blast computational simulations using codes such as Viper:: Blast and/or LS Dyna

Desirable

Application/interview

Experience in the safe use and detonation of explosives (range conducting officer or equivalent)

Desirable

Application/interview

Further Information

Grade

7

Salary

£38,249 - 46,735

Work arrangement

Full-time

Duration

[1 August 2025, fixed term for 12 months]

Line manager

[Research Group Leader]

Direct reports

N/A

Our website

https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/mac

For informal enquiries about this job contact [Prof Andy Tyas] on [email protected]

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on week commencing 7th July. This will consist of an interview and a 10–15-minute presentation. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 30th June. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact [email protected]

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What We Offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways.
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
• paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
• support for those going through the menopause
• paid time off and support for fertility treatment
• and more
  

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.