Research Associate in Multiscale Boiling at Nanomaterial/Liquid Interfaces

The University of Edinburgh; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Edinburgh invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to advance continuum multiphase models of pool boiling on nanomaterial-coated surfaces. The role combines numerical work with experimental collaboration and international visits, feeding AI-driven research approaches into the process.

You should hold a computational PhD and have demonstrated experience in multiphase flow modelling, with an interest in experiments and in applying AI concepts to research.

Qualifications

• PhD in a computational field with strong maths and physics background.
• Experience in multiphase flow modelling (CFD), especially boiling, phase change, or heat and mass transfer.
• Interest in experiments and collaboration with experimental groups.
• Desire to explore AI-assisted research and to integrate AI ideas into work.

Responsibilities

• Develop continuum multiphase models of pool boiling on nanomaterial-coated surfaces.
• Collaborate with experimental groups and participate in funded research visits to international partners.
• Travel to national/international conferences and engage with state-of-the-art software.

Skills

CFD

Multiphase flow

Boiling simulations

AI in research

Education

Computational PhD

Job description

Full-time: 35 hours per week

Fixed-term: up to 30 months (to the end of the grant in August 2029)

Where curiosity becomes impact.

The University isn't just any employer. We are part of a local community and a contributor to global thinking, progress and research. In Edinburgh, you are in one of the world's most attractive cities.

The University of Edinburgh is a world-class organisation. We look for the best in the field across all disciplines and provide a working environment where academics can develop their careers and passion for their chosen subject area.

The opportunity:

We are looking for a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) to work with Dr Rohit Pillai. The post is funded by NANO-COOL, Dr Pillai's European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant (funded by UK Research and Innovation), which is developing computational tools to design the next generation of electronics cooling devices.

You will develop continuum multiphase models of pool boiling on nanomaterial-coated (e.g. graphene-coated) surfaces, informed by molecular simulations of the surface/liquid interface from the NANO-COOL team, and test them against pool boiling experiments. The post is mainly numerical, with an element of experimental work: you will collaborate with Dr Biao Shen at the University of Tsukuba (Japan), who will run boiling experiments on graphene-coated copper surfaces, and you will travel to Tsukuba for funded research visits to join the experiments. Our group is also building artificial intelligence (AI) agents into how it does research, and you will be encouraged to bring your own ideas for modelling, experiments and analysis.

You will have a computational PhD in engineering, physical sciences, applied mathematics or a clearly related area, and experience in multiphase flow modelling (computational fluid dynamics, CFD), especially of boiling, phase change, or heat and mass transfer, with an interest in experiments and in working closely with an experimental group. You will also have an interest in using AI agents in research and the initiative to build them into your own work.

We offer weekly meetings with your supervisor, monthly group meetings, a large interdisciplinary network of collaborators, regular travel to national and international conferences, and training in state-of-the-art research software. Most of our recent PDRAs have moved into independent academic roles or won competitive research fellowships by the end of their contract. Find out more about our group on the group website.

The post starts on 1st March 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.

This post is full-time (35 hours per week). We are open to considering requests for hybrid working (on a non-contractual basis) that combines a mix of remote and regular on-campus working.

£41,885 to £49,798 per annum (Grade 7)