Research Assistant/Research Fellow - 17059

Brunel University London; Uxbridge; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Part time

Job summary

Brunel University of London’s BCAST group seeks a part-time Research Assistant/Fellow for a fixed-term 3-month project starting July 2026. The role focuses on aluminium brazing, process optimisation, and modelling to support energy-efficient heat exchangers.

£37,118–£39,144 (R1) or £41,292–£44,762 (R1) with London weighting, pro-rata for part-time. The successful candidate will work on experimental and modelling tasks, developing methods for high-integrity brazed joints and analysing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Physics or related discipline.
• PhD in Materials/Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering or related field desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop apparatus and methodologies for high-integrity brazed joints.
• Optimise aluminium brazing process and joint microstructures.
• Simulate temperature distributions in workpieces during brazing.
• Characterise microstructure and mechanical properties of brazed joints.

Skills

Aluminium brazing

Temperature modelling

Materials characterisation

Education

Bachelor's degree

PhD desirable

Tools

Induction heating

Temperature monitoring

Job description

Location: Brunel University of London, Uxbridge Campus

Salary:

Salary for Research Assistant: Grade R1 from: £37,118 to £39,144 per annum inclusive of London Weighting with potential to progress to £40,202 per annum inclusive of London Weighting through sustained exceptional contribution. (Pro-rata for Part-time)

Salary for Research Fellow: Grade R1 from: £41,292 to £44,762 per annum inclusive of London Weighting with potential to progress to £48,557 per annum inclusive of London Weighting through sustained exceptional contribution. (Pro-rata for Part-time)

Hours: Part-time at 9.58 hours per week

Contract Type: Fixed-term for 3 months

Brunel University of London was established in 1966 and is a leading multidisciplinary research-intensive technology university delivering economic, social and cultural benefits. For more information please visit: https://www.brunel.ac.uk/about/our-history/home

The Brunel Centre for Advanced Solidification Technology (BCAST) is a speciality research centre focusing on solidification and wider metallurgical research with an international reputation. BCAST is well equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for both metal processing and materials characterisation. See https://www.brunel.ac.uk/research/Centres/BCAST for more information.

This position is funded by an Innovate UK project entitled TURBOCOOLING: Energy-Efficient and Frost-Resistant Heat Exchangers Enabled by Advanced Aluminium Brazing, for a period of nine months. The project commenced on 1 July 2026 and aims to develop advanced aluminium brazing technology for high-performance heat exchanger applications. It focuses on brazing aluminium alloy components using an induction heating system with integrated temperature monitoring and control to ensure high-integrity, high-quality brazed joints.

The position involves both experimental and modelling aspects of aluminium brazing. The successful candidate will focus on optimising aluminium brazing process, simulating temperature distributions within aluminium workpieces during brazing, and characterising the microstructure and mechanical properties of brazed joints. Responsibilities include developing apparatus and methodologies for manufacturing high-integrity, high-quality brazed aluminium joints, with the aim of optimising joint microstructures and maximising mechanical performance.

Candidates must hold at least a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or a closely related discipline. A PhD in Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field is desirable.

We offer a generous annual leave package plus discretionary University closure days, excellent training and development opportunities as well as a great occupational pension scheme and a range of health-related support. The University is committed to a hybrid working approach.

Closing date for applications: 10 November 2026

If you have any technical issues please contact us at: [e-mail]

Brunel University of London is fully committed to creating and sustaining a fully inclusive workforce culture. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities, we particularly welcome applicants who are currently under-represented in our workforce.

£37,118 to £44,762 per annum inclusive of London Weighting with potential to progress to £48,557 per annum inclusive of London Weighting through sustained exceptional contribution. (Pro-rata for Part-time). See advert text for details.