Introduction:
Acoustics and audio research has been conducted at Salford University for over 60 years. It is funded by research councils, national and international government bodies, and industry. Our research has fed into products that companies make and sell worldwide, as well as regulations and standards used in the UK, Europe and internationally. We currently have about twenty research active staff and a lively community of PhD students. Staff and students have won numerous awards for their research.
We have world-class acoustics laboratories: listening rooms, reverberation rooms, anechoic chambers, an accredited calibration laboratory and state of the art equipment and instrumentation. Through the laboratories we are able to bring much of our fundamental research into real life applications. The Acoustics Research Centre is the primary partner for Acoustics research in the BBC Audio Research Partnership.
Description:
We are looking for a PhD candidate to work on developing methods for the control of noise from explosions used in industrial processes. The successful candidate will be expected to develop analytical theory and numerical simulations of the suppression of blast noise, and perform laboratory and field experimental trials to develop and validate the solutions. The candidate will spend the initial proportion of their time at the University of Salford for research skills development and laboratory pilot studies, and will then will be located at the DNV Spadeadam Research and Testing site.
Background:
Part of the DNV Group, the Spadeadam Research and Testing site conducts a wide variety of fire, explosion and blast testing for the maritime, energy and renewables industries, the results of which are used to develop products, protect people and infrastructure. Their strategic aim is to make Spadeadam Research & Testing a world-leading test facility, and to achieve this it is necessary to ensure that the business is not put at risk by adverse impacts of noise to personnel or the environment. This research follows on from a PhD funded by DNV on managing environmental impacts of noise from on-site testing.
Better control of on-site testing noise should provide:
- Reduced risk to hearing from short duration, high-level explosive noise to best protect employees, visitors and clients
- Improved scheduling of trials, reducing costs from potential delays.
- Extension of the testing day and season, potentially increasing the number of trial slots to be conducted without generating adverse noise impacts.
Existing models for the control of noise from these types of operations are few and far between. This means that the systems developed to control explosive noise may be the first of their kind in the world.
Candidates:
We are looking for high quality candidates with an expertise in the following areas;
- Cognate acoustics, mathematical, physics, or engineering background
- Experience of experimental design and measurement, preferable noise
- Multi-Channel data acquisition systems and transducers (desirable)
- Good computer programming skills (e.g. MATLAB/PYTHON)
- Highly numerate with experience of data analysis
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work independently and within teams
Funding eligibility:
To be eligible for the full maintenance grant, students must be a UK/EU National or be able to demonstrate a relevant connection with the UK, usually through being ordinarily resident for a period of 3 years immediately prior to the date of application for an award. Member states of NATO will also be considered.
Note to applicants:
In addition to applying for this role all shortlisted applicants will also be required to complete the University application process which applies to all students wishing to study at The University of Salford. Find out more on how to apply for research studies on our postgraduate research page.
Enquiries:
Informal enquiries to Professor David Waddington: d.c.waddington@salford.ac.uk
CV and supporting statement to: m.watts@salford.ac.uk