Research Fellow x2 (111335-0226)

About The Role

Informal Queries

For informal queries, please contact Assistant Professor Bryn Davies at bryn.davies@warwick.ac.uk

Flexible Working

We will consider applications for employment on a part-time or other flexible working basis (e.g. job share), despite the position being advertised as full-time.

Applications are invited for two Research Fellows to work with Dr Bryn Davies on the Leverhulme Trust Research Leadership Award entitled “Unlocking a New Generation of Imperfection-Resilient Metamaterials” at the University of Warwick.

About The Project

The performance of advanced materials such as metamaterials is often highly sensitive to imperfections, significantly hampering high-volume manufacturing and limiting operational lifespan. We will develop new mathematical tools to enable the design of a new generation of imperfection-resilient metamaterials that function despite defects or damage. By driving a discipline-wide shift towards approaching resilience as a design objective, we will reduce the hurdle between theoretical breakthroughs and real-world applications.

The Project Will Focus On Several Key Questions

• Predicting when metamaterials fail: develop new mathematical tools to predict the magnitude of imperfection that causes a given function to break down (by exploiting topological characterisations of spectra);
• Understanding how metamaterials fail: develop new tools for characterising the function of imperfect systems (by developing methods for PDEs with periodic coefficients);
• Design and fabricate imperfection-resilient metamaterials: use our new tools to develop imperfection-resilient designs (by developing numerical optimisation strategies and working with experimental collaborators to validate predictions).

Opportunity

If you’re excited by waves, metamaterials, analysis of PDEs and interdisciplinary collaboration, and want to work at the interface of first-principles mathematics and real-world applications, then this position is for you! Within this large-scale project, there is some flexibility to tailor the research direction towards the interests and background of the candidate.

About You

You should have (or be due to submit soon) a PhD, or have equivalent experience, and have expertise in mathematical analysis and/or computational modelling, ideally with some experience of wave physics and PDE models. You can work effectively in a larger research group and have the ability to communicate its results to our partners and the wider research community. You will have excellent communication and presentation skills and be comfortable talking about your work with academics from other disciplines and non-specialists. You will have a record of research papers published in journals (or accepted to be published). You will have a high capacity for original research and creative thought, as well as the ability to manage your time effectively across multiple strands of research. You will be working as part of an inclusive and flexible team, based in the Warwick Maths Institute, a world-leading mathematics department with a strong group working in applied and computational areas. You will have opportunities to travel in the UK and abroad, on research visits to collaborating groups/partners and to international conferences. You will be given both time and mentoring support to develop your own research profile and broader skills. This position is suitable for a finishing PhD student, provided you will have submitted your thesis before the start of this position.

PhD Status

If you are near submission of your PhD, or have not yet had it conferred, any offers of employment will be made at Research Assistant level, at the highest spinal point of pay grade 5 (£34,610 per annum). Upon receipt of evidence confirming the successful award of your PhD, you will be promoted to Research Fellow, at the lowest spinal point of grade 6 (£35,608 per annum).

About The Department

The Warwick Mathematics Institute is internationally recognised for its research and our best undergraduates are a match for those at any other UK university. We run a wide range of weekly seminar series, and many workshops and conferences, for which our Mathematics Research Centre provides organisational support. A list of our staff and their research interests can be found at: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/maths/research/researchers

You can see our undergraduate module pages at: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/maths/currentstudents/ughandbook

We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment, and we would particularly welcome applications from groups that are under-represented in UK mathematics. We are working hard towards improving our gender balance: we currently hold a Bronze Athena Swan award and our energetic Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion committee plays a significant role in shaping departmental policy. We are an internationally diverse department.

For those eligible, the University offers relocation and Immigration Support Scheme packages to assist with costs of relocating and any associated visa applications and HIS (health) surcharge fees.

About The University

We are a world-leading research-intensive university founded in 1965. We are ranked 106 th in the world and 8th in the UK. Additionally, 92% of our research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent. Find out more about us at warwick.ac.uk/about/. World University Ranking 2024, Guardian University Guide 2025 Research Excellence Framework 2021

How to Apply

CLOSING DEADLINE: Tuesday 10th March 2026 at 11:55pm (UK Time)

To apply, please click "Apply" below and submit an application form by the closing deadline. The application should include the following documents: CV, a list of publications and a short (1-page max) cover letter. All applicants should ensure that their 3 referees send their references by email by the deadline to Alison Glendinning (Senior Administrative Assistant, Department of Mathematics, University of Warwick) by email to MathematicsPA@warwick.ac.uk

Your CV Should Include

• Your education and employment history (including your most recent employment).
• Any other relevant experience (e.g. volunteering, extracurricular, etc.).
• List of publications

Your Cover Letter Should Explain

• Your motivations for applying to the role.
• Using examples, how you meet the essential and desirable criteria detailed in the job description (PDF attached below).
• Previous research experience and future ambitions.

All essential criteria must be met by candidates who are invited to interview. You are welcome to include details of any career breaks (e.g. parental leave, caring responsibilities, sick leave).

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Start Date: Flexible from 1st April 2026 onwards

Please note application forms must be submitted before the stated deadline - you will not be able to submit after 23:55 (even if you opened the form earlier). Only applications submitted via our official careers portal (warwick-careers.tal.net) will be considered.

What we Offer

We Provide a Comprehensive Range Of Benefits, Including

• An attractive pension scheme.
• 30 days holiday plus University Christmas closure.
• Generous parental/adoption leave policy.
• Onsite childcare facilities.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.
• We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer access to flexible working arrangements.

For more information, see here.

We are proud to be a Living Wage employer.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion

Warwick is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and respectful community where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, cultures, and communities, and actively encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply. Find out more about our Social Inclusion work at Warwick. Find out more about our awards and accreditations. We are also one of the six founder institutions of the EUTOPIA European University Alliance.

Safeguarding & DBS

The University of Warwick is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those we work with. Roles involving regulated activity are subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at the appropriate level, in line with the DBS Code of Practice. The University will ensure that anyone subject to a barring order does not undertake any work with the barred group (children and/or adults). All employees, volunteers, and partners are expected to share our commitment to safeguarding.

Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders

The University will not discriminate against applicants who make a disclosure relating to a conviction. Disclosures at application stage are only visible to the DBS team, not to hiring panels. This ensures fairness and removes bias from the shortlisting process.

Job Description JD - Research Fellow (111335, 111336).pdf – 143KB Opens in a new window

Right to Work in the UK

If you do not yet have the right to work in the UK and/or are seeking sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa, please follow this link which contains further information about obtaining the right to work in the UK.