About us
The Department of Mechanical Engineering is seeking to fill a research focused position in advanced aerospace propulsion at the Lecturer or Associate Professor level. The successful candidate will be expected to drive UCL's ambitions to lead national decarbonisation and sustainability efforts, strengthen industry partnerships, and expand postgraduate and undergraduate offerings in sustainable propulsion.
UCL Mechanical Engineering is a global leader in interdisciplinary research and education, driving innovation across energy systems, transport, and advanced manufacturing. The department's flagship Advanced Propulsion Laboratory (APL) at UCL East anchors UCL's commitment to net-zero transport and sustainable propulsion technologies across aerospace, marine, and automotive sectors.
Located on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, UCL East is dedicated to disruptive thinking and discovery across disciplines and beyond academic walls, to find solutions to the biggest challenges for future living.
This academic post is part of the recruitment to the Advanced Propulsion Lab (APL) and its associated MSc programmes. The post will be located in the Marshgate Building of the UCL East campus which has brand new world-class collaborative research laboratories and teaching facilities. The APL brings together researchers and students from the UCL departments of Mechanical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, with the Department of Mechanical Engineering as the lead partner for this recruitment.
The Advanced Propulsion Laboratory (APL) addresses the critical challenge of decarbonising transport across land, sea, and air, as well as the development of electric machines, electrical systems, e-fuels and next-generation energy carriers. Bringing together expertise in advanced propulsion and combustion, electrical machines and power electronics, and thermal-fluid sciences for advanced aerospace and sustainable transport, the APL provides a unique cross-disciplinary environment where innovation spans from fundamental research through to system integration and validation. The successful candidate will work closely with academics engaged in these areas, contributing their own expertise while developing collaboration across disciplines. They will play a key role in co-developing research proposals, supervising joint doctoral and MSc projects, and designing and delivering teaching that reflects the breadth of APL activity. In doing so, they will strengthen the APL's mission to translate cutting-edge research into real-world propulsion solutions, while ensuring students benefit from a curriculum informed by the latest advances in sustainable aero-propulsion technologies.
About the role
We are seeking a highly qualified academic professional with expertise in hybrid-electric propulsion, hydrogen-electric and hydrogen combustion systems, electrical machines, and power electronics, advanced electrical and hybrid for aerospace applications. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding in at least one of the following areas thermofluids, turbomachinery interactions, sustainable propulsion design, electric drives, hybrid propulsion and the integration of innovative technologies through laboratory research to simulation system-level application and real-world deployment.
You will be expected to work collaboratively with colleagues within the department, across other departments within the Advanced Propulsion Lab (APL), and more broadly across UCL East.
In this role, you will spearhead a cutting-edge research agenda in sustainable aerospace propulsion. This would include a focus on research into hybrid, electric, and e-fuel system solutions. You will build and lead an internationally recognised research portfolio, securing substantial funding from UKRI, ATI, industrial partners, and other funding bodies. Your work will result in high-impact disseminations and contribute significantly to UCL's REF strategy. You will develop interdisciplinary collaborations across mechanical, electrical, aerospace and associated engineering, and drive strategic partnerships to accelerate the translation of laboratory innovations into scalable, real-world solutions.
You will also be responsible for designing, coordinating, and delivering advanced teaching modules at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. These modules will cover topics such as advanced aerospace propulsion, electric and hybrid propulsion system design, and related fields. You will supervise and mentor students through capstone group design projects and individual research projects, ensuring rigorous technical training within an inclusive learning environment.
Additionally, you will develop new MEng/BEng aerospace modules and industry-focused CPD courses, embedding principles of sustainability, equality, diversity, and inclusion into the curriculum. Through outreach and engagement activities, you will help inspire a diverse pipeline of future propulsion engineers.
About you
We would be delighted to receive applications from candidates with expertise in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Electrical Engineering, or a closely related discipline, who are seeking to join our department at either Lecturer or Associate Professor level. If you are an ambitious academic with a strong commitment to research, education, and real-world impact in sustainable propulsion and related technologies, we encourage you to apply.
You will hold a PhD (or equivalent) in a relevant field and demonstrate research excellence in sustainable propulsion, electrical and/or hybrid drive systems, evidenced by a strong record of peer-reviewed publications and demonstrable impact. You will have a proven ability to secure significant research funding from major sources such as UKRI, ATI, EPSRC, Innovate UK, EU, or equivalent international or industry funders.
You will have experience designing and delivering undergraduate and postgraduate engineering modules, with a focus on curriculum innovation, sustainability, and inclusive pedagogy.
A track record of supervising and mentoring students at all levels, including successful doctoral completions and support for early-career researchers, is essential. You will also demonstrate excellent communication skills, a commitment to academic citizenship and collegiality, and alignment with UCL's Ways of Working. A demonstrable commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion across your academic activities is expected.
While only the essential criteria are required for Lecturer-level applicants, a demonstrated aptitude in meeting the additional criteria typically expected at Associate Professor level will be viewed favourably and may strengthen your application.
At Associate Professor level, we are also looking for candidates who can demonstrate leadership in interdisciplinary or cross-sector collaborations, such as those spanning mechanical, electrical, aerospace, marine, or energy systems, with experience managing research groups, projects, and grants. Industrial or translational research experience in propulsion or related fields-such as energy systems in transport, alternative fuels, or advanced engine technologies-with a track record of progressing technology readiness levels and delivering real-world solutions is highly desirable.
You should also show evidence of effective engagement with industry, government, or policy stakeholders that contributes to research impact and external recognition. The ability to lead a significant research portfolio and contribute to departmental leadership, governance, and strategic development is important.
We also value external recognition and influence through policy engagement, public or media communication, invited keynotes, awards, or editorial roles. A track record of successful knowledge exchange or enterprise activity, including CPD delivery, consultancy, or impactful collaboration with industry or non-academic partners, will further strengthen your application.
FURTHER APPLICATION GUIDANCE
This hybrid post is primarily based at our UCL East campus, with collaboration expected at our Bloomsbury campus.
The salary for the Lecturer (Grade 8) role is £54,172 to £62,035 per annum, including London allowance. For the Associate Professor (Grade 9) role, the salary is £67,341 to £73,142 per annum, also including London allowance.
Please clearly indicate whether you are applying for Grade 8 or Grade 9.
To apply, please upload the following:
- CV
- A publication list including your top five publications with a short (maximum 100 words each) explanation of their significance, a summary of your teaching experience to date (maximum 1,000 words),
- A research strategy for the next five years (maximum 1,000 words), and
- A summary of how you meet the selection criteria (maximum 1,000 words).
What we offer
As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits. Please visit our Rewards and Benefits page to find out more.
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.
We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce.
These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.
Our department holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality.
You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion on our web page.
