Research Assistant/Associate in Compressor Aerodynamics (fixed-term)

A position exists, for a Research Assistant/Associate in the Department of Engineering, to work on compressor aerodynamics.

You would develop key technologies and designs at the Whittle Laboratory to help enable the next generation of axial compressors required by Rolls-Royce UltraFan engines for both wide and narrow body aircraft.

The specific challenge is to investigate the threat to the engine caused by ice, water and slush ingestion into the core. You would lead an experimental campaign to visualise, understand and mitigate the water's interaction with the first stages of the core compressor and the bleed system designed to remove it. A complex mix of two-phase flow, aerodynamic, aeromechanical and acoustic issues is present in this part of the engine. Key to success will be use and improvement on the rapid test facilities that have been built over the last eight years at the Whittle Laboratory.

The post holder will be located at the Whittle Laboratory, Cambridgeshire, UK.

The key responsibilities and duties are:

• Experimentally investigate dry and wet axial compressor technologies.
• Design and commissioning of experimental hardware
• Running and processing concept geometries
• Comparison with CFD or other low-order design methods
• Determining underlying three-dimensional flow mechanisms
• Writing research publications and attending conferences
• Writing project reports and attending meetings with project partners

The skills, qualifications and experience required to perform the role are:

• Knowledge in turbomachinery aerodynamics
• Expertise in experimental testing in wind tunnels or rotating rigs
• Experience of managing own workload and working with initiative
• Excellent communication skills
• Experience of CFD simulations in turbomachinery
• Experience of working with industry

Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD (or equivalent experience). Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will be appointed at Research Assistant level, which will be amended to Research Associate once the PhD has been awarded.

Salary Ranges:

Research Assistant: £33,002 - £35,608

Research Associate: £37,694 - £46,049

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 31 March 2028 in the first instance.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click the 'Apply' button above. 

Please ensure that you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV), a covering letter and publication list in the Upload section of the online application. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application. Please submit your application by midnight on the closing date.

If you have any questions about this vacancy contact James Taylor, jvt24@cam.ac.uk for queries of a technical nature related to the role, or the for application process, please contact: Juliet Teather, jet63@cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference NM51166 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.