Research Fellow in Actuation and Control Systems for Hydrogen Aerospace

Research Assistant or Research Fellow in Actuation and Control Systems for Hydrogen Aerospace Applications

Fixed Term Contract for 2 years, or until 31 March 2027, whichever is sooner

Research Assistant (Master's completed): £28,929–£33,825 per annum (dependent on experience).

Research Assistant (near PhD completion): Starting at £34,450 per annum.

Research Fellow (PhD obtained): Starting at £37,337 per annum.

We welcome passionate and talented applicants to join our pioneering team to drive innovation in sustainable aerospace technologies through advanced research in actuation and control for hydrogen systems.

About the Role

You will develop, or assist to develop, novel cryogenic valve systems for controlling liquid hydrogen flow in zero-emission aircraft. This involves designing and optimising electromagnetic actuators, developing power electronic circuits, and implementing control algorithms. You will engage in advanced modelling, simulation, prototype development, and validation to support the engineering efforts of Actuation Lab Ltd.

About You

You will have a PhD (or close to completion) in Electrical/Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering with hands-on experience with simulation tools such as Ansys, MATLAB/Simulink, or Altair PSIM. For Research Assistant, you will have an MSc in these areas. 

You will have proven ability to develop and implement microprocessor-based control algorithms and experience with cryogenic systems or mechatronic designs in extreme environments is desirable.

You must have strong analytical skills, the ability to work independently and in a team, with excellent planning, and organisational skills. 

About Us

The Theme for Automotive, Energy and Photonics at Cranfield is at the forefront of advancing decarbonisation in the energy and transportation sectors, covering a diverse focusing on materials innovation and system electrification. We offer world-class and niche post-graduate level research, education, training and consultancy. We are unique in our multi-disciplinary approach by bringing together design, materials’ technology and management expertise.

Our Values and Commitments

Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out here.

We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential. We are a Disability Confident Employer and proud members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme. We are committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role and have been ranked in the Top 30 family friendly employers in the UK by the charity Working Families. Find out more about our key commitments to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Flexible Working here.

Working Arrangements

Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides many staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners.

How to apply                                     

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Professor Patrick Luk, (E): p.c.k.luk@cranfield.ac.uk or Dr Efstathios Siampis (E): efstathios.siampis@cranfield.ac.uk

Please do not hesitate to contact us for further details on E: peoplerecruitment@cranfield.ac.uk. Please quote reference number 5035.

Closing date: 31 March 2025 

Please note that we reserve the right to close this advert prior to the stated closing date should we receive sufficient numbers of applications. Therefore, we would encourage you to complete and submit your application as soon as possible.

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