About the role

The candidate will join a highly specialised research group focused on developing advance combustion technologies for power and propulsion applications, fueled by alternative energy vectors. The candidate will undertake experimental research in advanced optical diagnostics and thermoacoustics relevant to hydrogen combustion in gas turbines.

As a part of this project, the candidate will develop new design and operation principles to de-risk the utilisation of hydrogen in in gas turbines, and enable development of hydrogen powered technologies for power and propulsion applications. The candidate will investigate flame behaviour, combustion dynamics and emissions relevant to lean hydrogen combustion, and develop combustion concepts that allow flame stabilisation with reduced risk of flashback and combustion instabilities, through optimised fuel-air injection strategies. The research will have emphasis on design, optical diagnostics, combustor scaling and industrial implementation of hydrogen combustion, thereby allowing creation of high-fidelity time and space resolved data for modellers and enabling development of future low emission GT engines.

This open position is part of a UKRI-funded fellowship (HOPE) and is supported by multiple industrial partners. The position may offer opportunities to assist in undergraduate teaching activities at UCL, and also to work with and mentor PhD students. The post will provide a platform to collaborate closely with scientists from academia and industry.

Responsibilities include the following:

To perform high quality research in experimental combustion pertaining to hydrogen combustion. To actively engage in UKRI-funded project that supports this position by executing relevant work packages and liaise with project partners to help deliver the project milestones in a timely manner. To actively disseminate research in high impact journals, conferences and industry partner meetings. To meet any project-related reporting activities. To work closely with and engage in mentorship of graduate students. To take part in occasional teaching activities. To actively follow and promote UCL policies, including Equal Opportunities. To maintain an awareness and observation of fire and health and safety regulations, including acting as a fire marshal. To carry out any other duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job, the title of the post and its grading as requested by the line manager/Head of Department.

The post is funded for 3 years and will be subject to standard probation and appraisal procedures. Please note that this is a Grade 7 post remunerating at £43, including London Weighting allowance. This a fully onsite position based in UCL Mechanical Engineering at our Bloomsbury campus.

About you

We would be delighted to receive applications from candidates with a strong research background in mechanical engineering, or a cognate subject, but with hydrogen combustion and combustion diagnostics expertise.

Knowledge of hydrogen combustion phenomena and a demonstrable record of high-quality research in combustion relevant areas, demonstrated by previous achievements such as publications in recognised journals is essential. Furthermore, experience of optical laser diagnostics such as PLIF, PIV Design, development and operation of lab-scale combustion facilities are required,

To be effective in this role, the successful candidate must be able to demonstrate a facility to interact effectively with peers in academia and industry.

For more insight into these essential and other desirable criteria, please reference the attached job description and person specification.

HOW TO APPLY:

It is essential that your applications is paired with a Statement in support of your application, without which your application will be disregarded. Please follow the guidance as indicated below:

1) Copy and paste the essential criteria detailed in the attached Job Description & Person Specification with specific regard to the essential criteria that are assessed at the Application stage.

2) Describe how you meet each of the criteria and provide concrete examples against each criterion.

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days) Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE) Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan Immigration loan Relocation scheme for certain posts On-Site nursery On-site gym Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service Discounted medical insurance