Senior Research Associate/Research Fellow in Propeller Test Rig Design and

at  University of Bristol

YOU SHOULD APPLY IF

For recruitment at the Senior Research Associate level (Grade J), the postholder is expected to:

• Willing to be part of a dynamic and professional team of designers and academics
• Detailed, current specialist knowledge and refined skills; significant experience in experimental aerodynamics and rig design
• Significant previous experience of independent research or transferable skills gained from professional experience combined with some experience or an awareness of the research environment
• Proven ability to provide effective leadership to small research teams and to mentor less experienced research staff successfully
• Ability to organise time and workloads to meet deadlines, and manage a range of competing priorities
• Ability to devise, review and deliver complex and timely solutions

For recruitment at the Research Fellow level (Grade K), candidates should demonstrate prior experience in preparing large research proposals and/or commercialising new products, alongside the general management and technical skills outlined above.

THE ROLE

The University of Bristol is seeking a highly skilled engineer to lead the design and development of the National Propeller TestBed (NPTB), a key project funded by the UKRI NWTF+ grant. This exciting role offers the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in propulsion technologies, with responsibilities including project management, test rig and component-level design, and overseeing the project from fabrication through to commissioning and handover.
The successful candidate will work closely with industry and academic partners to define the design scope and ensure successful delivery. Additionally, the role involves promoting the new capabilities of the test rig, disseminating research results, and securing funding to support its ongoing use.
This position is ideal for an engineer with a passion for innovation and a track record of leading complex engineering projects within an academic or industrial setting.
The successful candidate will be offered either a Senior Research Associate position (Grade J) or a Research Fellow position (Grade K), depending on the skills, experience, and qualifications they bring to the role.

WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING?

For recruitment at the Senior Research Associate level (Grade J), the postholder is expected to:

• Lead the design, build and commissioning of the National Propeller TestBed (NPTB)
• Co-supervise other engineers and researchers involved in the project
• Take a leading role in the design of certain components of the test rig
• Play a leading role in the successful dissemination of their or the team’s research findings, presenting at conferences and contributing substantially to their own and collaborative publications.
• Diagnose and rectify a range of complex problems to find short and long-term solutions.
• Contributing to the creation and formulation of commercial and research contracts and devising strategies to enhance facility revenue.

For recruitment at the Research Fellow level (Grade K), the postholder is expected to actively contribute to the design and construction of the test rig, as described above, while also playing a key role in its commercialisation and supporting the development of large collaborative proposals.