School of Biosciences
Centre for Plant Integrative Biology
Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Finite Element Modeller
Reference : CPIB01

DESCRIPTION

The 5 year programme within the Centre for Plant Integrative Biology (CPIB) at the University of Nottingham aims to create a virtual root which will serve as an exemplar for using Integrative Systems Biology to model multi-cellular systems. CPIB is jointly funded by the BBSRC and EPSRC as part of their Systems Biology Initiative to establish a number of Centres for Integrative Systems Biology. This project brings together biologists, engineers, mathematicians and computer scientists to generate new data, biological resources and virtual models that will aid an understanding of how plant roots grow and develop.
Applications are invited from researchers to develop and verify adaptive, non-linear Finite Element Models of plant materials and roots; this wil require the development of in-house written routines for commercial software packages.
Knowledge of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and with non-linear FEA are essential, familiarity with adaptive mesh FEA are highly desirable.
Other duties will include publication of this research in international leading journals and presentations at national and international conferences and the supervision of PhD students and technical staff as required. The role requires the candidate to be innovative in developing new techniques and applications, to be able to work independently and as part of a team and to have good communication and interpersonal skills.

REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants must have a Bachelors degree in engineering, biophysics or physics and a PhD in a relevant field. A background in plant biology or biophysics is desirable.

COMPENSATION

Salary will be within the range £24,161 - £30,606 per annum, depending on qualifications and experience (salary can progress to £34,448 per annum, subject to performance). This post is available from 1 February 2007 or as soon as possible thereafter and will be offered on a fixed-term contract for a period of three years.

DEADLINE:
12th January 2007 (or 3 weeks from date of advert)

HOW TO APPLY

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Dr Geoff Tansley, email: geoff.tansley[at]nottingham.ac.uk or Prof Charlie Hodgman, email: charlie.hodgman[at]nottingham.ac.uk
Candidates should send a detailed CV, together with the names and addresses of two referees, to Mrs Sue Woodward, School of Biosciences, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Nottingham, LE12 5RD. Email: susan.woodward[at]nottingham.ac.uk