Research Fellow

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £35,880 to £45,163 with potential progression once in post to £47,874

Contract Type: Fixed Term contract up to November 2027 

Background

The University of Birmingham is seeking to appoint a Research Fellow in Sustainable Cooling Technology to contribute to the creation of knowledge in terms of design and optimisation of cooling and cold chain technologies. The post holder will work on the £2.8M UKRI Ayrton Challenge Programme project ‘Sustainable Cooling Infrastructure for Fisheries in Indonesia (SCI-FI)’.

SCI-FI aims to develop, deploy, and monitor zero emissions and affordable cooling infrastructure as a cooling hub for small-scale fisheries in Indonesia. The project will produce a blueprint to ensure the deployment of such infrastructure can increase cold chain access at affordable cost whilst providing a route to a just and inclusive energy transition in the communities.

This position will focus on analysing, designing and optimising cooling hubs in fisheries applications. The hub will provide cooling services vital for fisheries: cold storage and ice maker. It will also serve as a focal point in the energy systems of the community or fishing port. Renewable energy options include solar photovoltaic (PV), biogas-driven combined heat and power (CHP), and solar thermal. Optimising the cooling hub in the context of small-scale fisheries will advance current understanding and generate new knowledge across disciplines, including energy engineering, financing, and social science.

Role Summary

• Leading relevant research work into the technical aspect of sustainable cooling technologies
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary researchers in the UK and Indonesia
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results
• Disseminate research findings in workshops, conferences, and journal publications
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Main Duties

• Perform research work in the corresponding work packages in the specified research projects
• Develop and validate simulation and optimisation models of cooling technologies, including emerging cooling technologies and cold storage
• Collect, analyse and interpret research data
• Disseminate research findings in conference and journal publications
• Collaborate with other research institutions and with project partners in the UK and Indonesia
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required

Person Specification

• First degree in science or engineering discipline relevant to the project or equivalent experience
• PhD degree (near completion) in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Energy Engineering or other closely relevant engineering discipline
• High level analytical capability
• Knowledge on thermodynamics and heat and mass transfer
• Experience in modelling thermo-fluid systems
• Close understanding of the contemporary challenges facing the cooling sector
• Knowledge of recent research developments in the cooling sector

Informal enquiries to Dr Renaldi Renaldi, email: r.renaldi@bham.ac.uk

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above.

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment
We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working.

Closes: 23rd February 2025

Advert information