RAMMIC Research Fellow

University of Salford; Salford; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

32 days leave + holidays

Flexible working

Wellbeing support

Job summary

University of Salford is seeking a Research Fellow to join Energy House Labs. The role involves planning experiments in Energy House 2.0, installing sensors, and performing in-situ measurements to test retrofit materials and approaches.

You will build and validate models that predict energy use, and collaborate with industry partners to publish findings. The position offers involvement in UKRI-funded projects and a chance to influence retrofit strategies at scale.

Qualifications

• PhD (or equivalent postgraduate experience) in building physics, building engineering or related field.
• Hands-on experience of experimental measurement and data analysis.
• Confidence with modelling or simulation tools.
• Collaborative skills to work across academic and industry teams.

Responsibilities

• Plan and run experiments on real buildings in Energy House 2.0.
• Install and manage sensor networks and carry out in-situ measurements.
• Use data to build, calibrate and validate building performance models.
• Work with industry partners to test products and turn results into reports and publications.

Job description

Opportunity Overview

The University of Salford has a new opportunity for a Research Fellow in our state-of-the-art Energy House Labs. The successful candidate will join a UKRI-funded project testing new retrofit materials and manufacturing approaches at Energy House 2.0, one of the world's largest climate-controlled building research facilities. Inside its two environmental chambers, full-scale homes are tested under controlled conditions from -23°C to +53°C, with simulated wind, rain, snow and solar radiation.

Working alongside the Energy House 2.0 Technical Director, you'll plan and run experiments on real buildings. That means designing test programmes; installing and managing sensor networks; carrying out in-situ measurements such as heat flux and U-values, whole-house heat transfer coefficient (HTC), airtightness and thermal imaging; and, assessing how retrofit measures change energy use, comfort and moisture risk. You'll then use that data to build, calibrate and validate building performance models, closing the gap between predicted and measured performance.

You'll work directly with industry partners to test their products and systems, and turn the results into peer-reviewed publications, technical reports and clear evidence that manufacturers, stakeholders and policymakers can act on.

We're looking for someone with a PhD (or equivalent postgraduate experience) in building physics, building engineering or a related field. You should have hands-on experience of experimental measurement and data analysis, and confidence with modelling or simulation tools. Above all, you'll need the collaborative skills to work across academic and industry teams.

If you want your research to shape how the UK retrofits its homes, we'd like to hear from you. There are two fixed-term contracts available, one for 48 months and one for 53 months.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure that all contractual, legal and financial processes are effectively managed with support of internal support services.
• Facilitate open communication and discussion between stakeholders, acting as subject matter expert developing, maintaining and working to stakeholder engagement plans and strategies.
• Lead research, under the supervision of the Technical Director and other co‑Investigators. Lead research, under the supervision of the Technical Director and other co‑Investigators.
• Collaboratively develop research working closing with the PIs, Co‑I and other members of the Energy House Labs team.

A bit about the Faculty

The Faculty of Science, Engineering and Environment (SEE) is a centre of discovery and innovation. With a broad portfolio across computer sciences, engineering, built environment and human and natural sciences.

Our Research and Innovation Centres work together to collaborate around the world’s greatest challenges including Net Zero, Climate Change and Resilience, Healthy Living and Industry. Our focus is on translating our pioneering research into real-world impact for people and industry and our research is recognised as world leading.

With the largest group of research centres at the University, plus world-class test facilities such as Energy House 2.0, North of England Robotics Innovation Centre (NERIC), and the Acoustics Research Centre, we are at the forefront of pioneering discovery, nurturing the next generation of industry leaders.

What's in it for you?

• Competitive salary - and excellent pension scheme
• An impressive 32 days leave - plus bank holidays, additional time off at Christmas and the opportunity to buy even more!
• Flexible working - we support a culture of flexible and agile working to help you find the right balance
• Wellbeing support - all our people are important to us and we have services and facilities dedicated to your mental and physical health, ranging from an Employee Assistance Programme and counselling, to sports and fitness facilities including discounted gym memberships