Research Assistant/Associate in Electric Road Freight System (Fixed Term)

University of Cambridge; Hartford; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university is seeking a Research Assistant/Associate to advance research in electric road freight. The role requires a PhD (or nearing completion) in mechanical engineering with a focus on road freight electrification. Responsibilities include developing models, conducting research, and engaging with stakeholders. Strong communication skills and teamwork are essential.

Qualifications

• Must hold or be close to the completion of a PhD in mechanical engineering relating to road freight electrification.
• Strong understanding of electric road systems globally.
• Expertise in modelling and analysis for road freight electrification.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research into electrification of long-haul road freight.
• Develop mathematical models for electric heavy goods vehicles.
• Compile data and prepare reports on main findings.
• Engage and present findings to stakeholders.

Skills

Theoretical understanding of road freight electrification

Practical understanding of electric road systems

Technological and economic modelling

Strong communication skills

Ability to work in a team

Education

PhD in mechanical engineering

Job description

Overview

A position exists, for a Research Assistant/Associate in the Department of Engineering, to work on research in electric road freight.The role is based in Central Cambridge within the Centre for Sustainable Road Freight (SRF, ), a leading centre focusing on reducing energy use and emissions from the road freight sector. The post holder will be located in Central Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK.

Responsibilities

• Conducting independent and team-based research into various aspects of the electrification of long-haul road freight system.
• Developing mathematical models to understand the operational performance of electric heavy goods vehicles, particularly electric road systems.
• Developing mathematical models to understand and analyse the implications of different electrification pathways to road freight electrifications.
• Modelling and analysis of total cost of ownership of electric logistics operations with a variety of charging solutions, including static and dynamic charging, battery swapping and pony-express.
• Designing in-service data-collection, tests and experiments to validate models and analysis.
• Compiling quantitative and qualitative data, preparing reports to summarise main findings and conclusions.
• Leading and coordinating in-service data collection from of electric heavy goods vehicles
• Writing project milestone reports and project final report.
• Attending project meetings, workshops and conferences.
• Engaging with and presenting research outcome to stakeholders.
• Publishing peer-reviewed research articles in internationally renowned journals.
• Co-supervising undergraduate projects.
• Providing research support PhD students.
• Supporting project management.

Qualifications

• Must hold or be close to the completion of a PhD in mechanical engineering, with direct relevance to road freight electrification.
• Strong theoretical and practical understanding of road freight electrification and electric road systems across the world.
• Expertise in technological and economic modelling and analysis of road freight electrification.
• Real-world experience in measuring operational performance of electric heavy goods vehicles.
• Ability to collect and process in-service electric heavy goods vehicle operational data.
• Strong communication skills including the ability to work in a team and to liaise closely with colleagues, administrative staff, technical staff, equipment suppliers and boarder industrial partners.
• Excellent presentation and academic writing skills.