Research Associate

Bath; Bath; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave

Pension schemes

Cycle to work

EV salary sacrifice

Gym discount

Postgraduate tuition discounts

Wellbeing resources

Development opportunities

Job summary

University of Bath is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to investigate fluid dynamics and heat transfer in rotating compressor cavities of gas turbine engines. The role involves leading a major project funded by EPSRC with partners including the University of Surrey, Rolls-Royce and Siemens Energy.

You will work on hydrogen-compatible turbomachinery technology, and collaborate across academia and industry.

Qualifications

• PhD in engineering or equivalent industrial R&D experience.
• Experience with experimentation and data analysis tools such as MATLAB.
• Proficiency in CAD and independent work with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead a major research project on buoyancy-induced rotating flow in a compressor cavity.
• Coordinate with academic and industry partners (Surrey, Rolls-Royce, Siemens Energy).
• Develop leadership and strategic technical development within the project.
• Engage in training, development, and dissemination activities.

Skills

Experimentation

Data analysis

CAD

Education

PhD in engineering

Tools

MATLAB

CAD software

Job description

Salary Starting from £38,784, rising to £46,049

Advance Your Engineering Career Through Innovation and Impact

The Department of Mechanical Engineering is seeking to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate to investigate the fluid dynamics and heat transfer in rotating compressor cavities of gas turbines engines. The project is funded by the EPSRC in collaboration with the University of Surrey, Rolls-Royce and Siemens Energy. We are seeking a driven and capable individual to lead a high-impact project developing the next generation of hydrogen-compatible turbomachinery technology.

This position will offer you a way to apply your experience to a project that could shape the future of green energy technology and net-zero aerospace. As the Research Associate, you’ll lead a technically ambitious project with real-world application and long-term value. You’ll have the chance to:

• Take ownership of a major research project to advance the understanding of fluid-dynamics and heat transfer through innovative experimental methods
• Work at the intersection of academia and industry with support from both
• Develop your skills in leadership, innovation, and strategic technical development
• Gain access to training and a personal development allowance
• Broaden your professional network through interaction with industrial partners

This role offers the autonomy of an academic position, with the added benefits of structured support and mentoring.

The goal is to investigate experimentally the buoyancy-induced rotating flow in a compressor cavity at low TRL. The research is underpinned by brand new instrumentation and to be conducted over a range of non-dimensional, engine-representative conditions. The study includes a fundamental exploration of boundary-layer transition from laminar to turbulent flow at high Grashof number. The experiments will be complemented by computational simulation at the University of Surrey, with the aim to scale data to higher TRL. The successful completion and implementation of this research will improve engine design methods at Rolls-Royce and Siemens for next-generation hydrogen-compatible engines.

About you

The ideal candidate will have:

• A PhD in a relevant engineering field or experience in industrial R&D
• Experience with experimentation and data analysis tools such as Matlab
• Proficiency in CAD
• Confidence working independently and engaging with multiple stakeholders

Further Information

This role is offered on a full time (36.5 hours) fixed term basis with an expected duration of 36 months.

We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equity and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students and encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.

We're continually expanding our benefits package to better support you and enhance your experience with us and the below is just an example of some of the many great benefits we offer:

• Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
• Generous employer contributory pension schemes
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Staff discount at Team Bath gym
• Staff benefits include discounted postgraduate tuition and language courses, alongside a wide range of personal and professional development opportunities such as apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning, and more
• Local discounts, including free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
• An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
• Employee assistance services through Health Assured, including access to the Wisdom app

We’re committed to creating a health-supporting working environment where everyone can thrive and be at their best. We offer a range of resources to enable you to do that from your first day here, including:

• Staff support groups and networks
• A network of Staff Wellbeing Champions
• A suite of tools, resources and frameworks that enable you to be at your best and thrive

Right to Work in the UK:We do not assess immigration or right to work status until offer stage. Being invited to interview does not guarantee you are eligible for visa sponsorship and all offers are conditional on meeting right to work requirements. Further information is available on our application support webpage.

Anonymous shortlisting:We are constantly seeking to reduce the unconscious bias that enters any assessment process, with the goal of creating an inclusive and equal assessment process. To support this, personal details such as your name, may be removed from application forms at the initial shortlisting stage.