Job Description
Grade UE07: £40,497- £48,149 per annum
CSE / School of Engineering
Full-time: 35 hours per week
Fixed-term: 24 months
The Opportunity
Our team, Mechanics and Geometry of Advanced Structures Laboratory (MEGA SLab), aims to understand a broad range of topics in structural mechanics, mechanical metamaterials, and soft condensed matter physics. We are fascinated by fundamental questions on how topological and geometrical manipulations of matter, across many length scales, result in extraordinary mechanical properties. The successful candidate will develop research in the field of mechanical metamaterials in the context of adhesive bonding and mechanics of architected interfaces.
The PDRA holding this position will work closely with members of MEGA Slab and will assist with supervision of MSc and PhD students. The PDRA will contribute to the project “Metamaterial adhesives for improved performance and functionalisation of bondlines” (Meta¬-adhesives), which has many collaborators, nationally and internationally. The post holder is also expected to interact with experts in experimental interface mechanics, mechanical metamaterials, and life-cycle assessment researchers. For informal enquiries please contact
[email protected] .
Your Skills And Attributes For Success
- A PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or a related field.
- Experience in computational mechanics, finite element analysis, and numerical simulations.
- A strong background in solid mechanics, fracture mechanics, with practical experience
- in (or willingness to learn) phase-field modelling, homogenization, and/or Cosserat continuum.
- Familiarity with topological mechanics and metamaterial design is a plus.
- Proficiency in programming (e.g., MATLAB, Python, or C++) and relevant simulation
- software (COMSOL and/or Abaqus).
- Excellent communication skills and a proven record of interdisciplinary collaboration.
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Please ensure you include the following documents in your application:
As a valued member of our team you can expect:
- A competitive salary.
- An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
- To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
- Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, competitive pension schemes, staff discounts, and family-friendly initiatives. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits.
Championing equality, diversity and inclusion
The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.
Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens new browser tab).
The University may be able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. This will depend on a number of factors specific to the successful applicant.
Key dates to note
The closing date for applications is
30th July 2025.
Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.
About Us
As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.
About The Team
Engineering has been taught at Edinburgh in one form or another since 1673. In 2002, the present School of Engineering was formed from the previously existing departments of Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electronics and Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. Since then, the School has grown from strength to strength, growing rapidly in the last 5 years, now having the largest number of students among the seven Schools in the College of Science and Engineering, offering undergraduate degree programmes across all disciplines and taught Masters courses in niche areas. All of the undergraduate degree programmes are accredited by the relevant professional institutions.
The School of Engineering addresses diverse complex challenges across the entire field of engineering, at the micro- and macro/global scales. At the microscopic scale, its research supports the design and deployment of novel nanotechnology and devices for biological monitoring and medical diagnosis; at the macro/global scale, it optimises the security and sustainability of the built environment and develops engineering solutions to climate change issues. In REF 2021 the joint submission from the University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University to General Engineering was ranked 1st in Scotland and 3rd in the UK for quality and breadth of research. The ranking cited is based upon the breadth and quality of research which apply standard formula (as used by the Times Higher Education) to the REF 2021 results.
The School has a strong track record in producing more than 50 technology spin-outs and developing industry links that enable our graduates to build career-long relationships. Current research income in the School was c.£22.0M in 2020/21.
We aim to ensure that our culture and systems support flexible and family-friendly working and recognise and value diversity across all our staff and students. The School has an active programme offering support and professional development for all staff; providing mentoring, training, and networking opportunities.
The School of Engineering holds a bronze Athena SWAN award, in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education & research.
Further information, including details of undergraduate & postgraduate taught programmes: www.eng.ed.ac.uk
