Organisation/Company: Cranfield University
Department: HR & Development Group
Research Field: Engineering » Aerospace engineering, Engineering » Mechanical engineering
Researcher Profile: Recognised Researcher (R2)
Positions: PhD Positions
Country: United Kingdom
Application Deadline: 9 Feb 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/London)
Type of Contract: Temporary
Job Status: Full-time
Hours Per Week: 37
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme
Reference Number: 5000
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Aerospace and Aviation
Research Fellow in Icing Science and Engineering
Fixed Term contract expected to be until 31 March 2027
Research Fellow (if PhD obtained): Full time starting salary is normally in the range of £37,337 to £41,478 per annum
Research Assistant (if PhD close to completion): Full time starting salary is normally in the range of £28,929 to £33,825 per annum
Location: Cranfield, Bedfordshire
The Centre for Propulsion Engineering within FEAS is looking to expand its internationally renowned activities with the recruitment of a Research Fellow in Icing Science and Engineering.
About the Role
Within the Centre, the icing team undertakes a wide range of activities, including research in ice adhesion, ice properties, instrumentation, as well as ice protection technologies and the impact of ice on aerodynamic components. In addition, the team works closely with a substantial number of national and international industrial partners in the aerospace and wind turbine sector. A key aspect of the activity is focused on experimental work with dedicated icing wind tunnel facilities, as well as a vertical droplet tunnel. The team also undertakes research in the area of fundamental modelling with molecular dynamic and ice/substrate interface bonding analysis.
This Research Fellow appointment is to support a new project to investigate the effect of ice accreditation on aircraft surfaces. The project will be an international collaboration between industry, academia and research institutions. The role within Cranfield will include:
1. Conducting icing experiments in the Cranfield Icing Wind Tunnel (IWT) facilities and providing support on test campaigns.
2. Participation in project experiments in large industrial wind tunnels.
3. Undertaking computational, analytical and modelling research for icing on aircraft wings and control surfaces.
4. The use of computational methods to evaluate the effect of icing roughness on wing aerodynamics.
5. Assisting technical staff with general operations, servicing and maintenance within the IWT facilities.
6. Dissemination of research findings through publication in high-quality journals and conferences.
7. Co-ordination of activities with colleagues as part of the project.
8. Responsibility for the research milestones and deliverables.
About You
You will hold a PhD (or close to completion) in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related subject with a record of publishing in high-quality journals.
Good skills in engineering experiment testing and measurements are required, and experience of icing experiments would be beneficial. Experience in computational modelling of icing accretion and the impact of icing on aerodynamic surfaces, and knowledge of icing science and engineering experiments in icing wind tunnel environment or complex icing rigs are preferred. Also of interest is knowledge of state-of-the-art 3D additive manufacturing process, as well as experience of collaborative industrial research.
Ability to communicate clearly at a technical level and capability of clearly summarising objectives and achievements for briefing colleagues and project partners is also essential. Candidates are expected to be confident independent researchers, educated at PhD level or equivalent, with good communication and presentation skills, as well as the ability to write reports and journal papers to a high standard.
Overall, the icing test facilities, and industrial relationships, are unique within the UK and offer a fantastic opportunity for research and development across a wide range of technology readiness levels. The position is within the Gas Turbine Technology group within the Centre for Propulsion and Thermal Power Engineering.
Due to the nature of this role, you will be required to obtain UK Security Clearance (BPSS).
About Us
As a specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield’s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships are creating leaders in technology and management globally. Learn more about Cranfield and our unique impact.
The Centre for Propulsion and Thermal Power Engineering is around 80 staff strong (including visiting academics) and one of the largest research and education activities within the University. The activity spans across land, off-shore, marine, air and space power and propulsion applications. Our activity is characterised by a close integration of taught and short course education and research and includes the internationally recognised Thermal Power and Propulsion MSc course. The activities within the Centre encompass a very wide range of topics including gas turbine performance modelling, propulsion aerodynamics, icing, combustion, computational fluid dynamics, advanced instrumentation, turbomachinery and thermal management. The Centre is also host to the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre for Aero Systems Design, Integration & Performance, testimony of the Centre’s global visibility and extensive links with industry.
More details on the Centre are available here. Further details on the icing test facilities are available here.
Our Values and Commitments
Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community.
We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential. We are a Disability Confident Employer and proud members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme. We are committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role and have been ranked in the Top 30 family friendly employers in the UK by the charity Working Families.
Working Arrangements
Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides many staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners.
How to apply
For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Professor David MacManus, Professor of Propulsion Aerodynamics & Installations, on (E): d.g.macmanus@cranfield.ac.uk
Closing date for receipt of applications: 9 February 2025
Please note that we reserve the right to close this advert prior to the stated closing date should we receive sufficient numbers of applications. Therefore, we would encourage you to complete and submit your application as soon as possible.
#J-18808-Ljbffr