Research Assistant - Marie Curie Doctoral Candidate (Positive Displacement Compressors)

City St George's; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sector-leading salary

Pension scheme

Job summary

City St George’s, University of London invites applications for a Doctoral Candidate on the MSCA HeatMinds project. The PhD will explore expanding the operating envelope of positive displacement compressors for high-temperature heat pumps in industrial settings.

You will model and validate compressor performance, contribute to publications, present at conferences, and collaborate with partners across Europe, with a strong emphasis on training and milestones.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of thermodynamics, heat transfer and fluid mechanics; modelling, simulation or data analysis desirable.
• Strong analytical, communication and teamwork skills; ability to work independently and with international collaborators.

Responsibilities

• Conduct high-quality doctoral research on positive displacement compressor technologies for industrial high-temperature heat pumps.
• Develop and validate compressor models; analyse performance and optimisation strategies.
• Contribute to project deliverables and publications; present research at conferences.
• Engage in dissemination and outreach activities; collaborate with academic and industrial partners across Europe.
• Participate in network-wide training events; support achievement of project milestones and objectives.

Skills

Analytical skills

Teamwork

Communication

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering / Energy Engineering / Thermofluids

Tools

Matlab

Python

Simulink

CFD tools

Job description

City St George’s, University of London is the University of business, practice and the professions and brings together the expertise and excellence of City, University of London and St George’s, University of London into one institution. The combined university is now one of the largest higher education destinations for London students, combining a breadth of disciplines across health, business, policy, law, creativity, communications, science and technology. Our students are at the heart of everything that we do, and we are committed to supporting them to pursue their career and personal ambitions.

Our research is engaged, at the frontier of practice and has a positive impact on the world around us.

Background

City St George’s, University of London is recruiting a Doctoral Candidate to join the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Industrial Doctoral Network HeatMinds, a Horizon Europe-funded project focused on industrial heat decarbonisation through innovative high-temperature heat pump technologies. The successful candidate will undertake a PhD project entitled “Expanding the Operating Envelope of Positive Displacement Compressors”, contributing to the development of efficient and reliable heat pump systems capable of upgrading low-grade waste heat for industrial applications.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will conduct high-quality doctoral research on positive displacement compressor technologies for industrial high-temperature heat pumps. Responsibilities include developing and validating compressor models, analysing performance and optimisation strategies, contributing to project deliverables and publications, presenting research at conferences, engaging in dissemination and outreach activities, collaborating with academic and industrial partners across Europe, participating in network-wide training events, and supporting the achievement of project milestones and objectives.

Person Specification

Applicants should hold a first degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering, Energy Engineering, Thermofluids, or a related discipline. Candidates should demonstrate knowledge of thermodynamics, heat transfer and fluid mechanics, with experience in modelling, simulation or data analysis desirable. Strong analytical, communication and teamwork skills are essential, together with the ability to work independently, engage with international collaborators, and contribute positively to a multidisciplinary research environment.

Please note that applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the United Kingdom for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their date of recruitment.

For more information, please refer to the job description.

The selection process will involve an interview and a presentation. Further details will be confirmed at the interview stage.

• City St George’s offers a sector-leading salary, pension scheme and benefits including a comprehensive package of staff training and development.

City St George’s, University of London is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in all its activities, processes, and culture for our whole community, including staff, students and visitors.

We welcome applications regardless of age, caring responsibilities, disability, gender identity, gender reassignment, marital status, nationality, pregnancy, race and ethnic origin, religion and belief, sex, sexual orientation and socio-economic background. City St George’s operates a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants.

The University of business, practice and the professions