Post-doctoral Research Fellow

This project of "Ice Protection using Slippery Liquid-like Coatings with Integrated Active Methods" is aiming to build a hybrid ice-protection technology for tackling icing issues on aircraft wings, wind turbines and other critical structural surfaces.  You will support the principal investigators and co-investigators in Northumbria University at Newcastle and Edinburgh University for delivery of the aim and objectives of such project. You will focus to create a next-generation ice-protection system that combines (1) low ice adhesion coatings for passive protection, and (2) acoustic-wave-based ice removal for mechanical active protection), benchmarked against electrothermal heating for thermal active protection. You will demonstrate such the reliable and energy-efficient hybrid approaches work for both anti-icing and de-icing using in-lab and wind tunnel experiments.

The position is a fixed-term, three-year research appointment, starting on 1 Oct 2026. Your work will focus on experimental investigation, technology integration, and performance validation of these hybrid ice-protection systems.

As a researcher working within a multidisciplinary team in Northumbria University, your primary responsibilities would likely include:

1. Development of Hybrid Ice-Protection Systems

You will investigate how advanced active technologies such as acoustic waves can be integrated with slippery liquid-like coatings (provided by collaborators). A key task is to ensure that the coatings work effectively alongside active systems without degrading performance.

2. Acoustic Wave Ice Protection

A major part of the project involves development of acoustic wave icing protection technologies. These systems use mechanical vibrations generated by piezoelectric actuators or similar devices to prevent ice crystals from bonding strongly to surfaces and facilitate ice detachment with lower energy consumption.  You will also need to benchmark these systems against the conventional active methods such as electrothermal technologies, where electrical energy is converted into heat.  The goal is to reduce energy consumption while maintaining effective anti-icing and deicing capability within both laboratory set-up and ice-wind tunnel.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration

You will work alongside researchers from multiple disciplines, including applied physics, engineering, materials science, surface engineering, acoustics and control systems. You will contribute to team meetings, technical reports and publications.

This Research Project will be delivered within the School of Engineering, Physics and Mathematics, led by Prof. Richard Yongqing Fu, Prof. Hamdi Torun, and Dr. Prashant Agrawal, collaborated with Prof. Glen McHale, Dr. Gary Wells and Prof. Dipa Roy in University of Edinburgh. The candidate will need to work closely with another research fellow in Edinburgh University (who will focus on surface treatments and passive coatings) for achieving the integrated active/passive ice protection system.

You will receive close supervision and training throughout the project, working alongside leading researchers in the field. This experience will strengthen your research profile and help you develop the independence and leadership skills needed to progress your career.

The applicant should hold a PhD degree in a related field, and have demonstrable specialist expertise in applied physics, engineering, smart materials, microsystem, or acoustic waves, along with strong theoretical and simulation skills. 

Further information about the requirements of the role is available in the person specification.

If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact Prof. Richard Fu, email: richard.fu@northumbria.ac.uk

To apply for this vacancy please click 'Apply Now'.  Your application should include a cover letter, a CV, and a publication list. 

Apply Before: 31/08/2026, 23:55