Professor in Pulsed Power / Electromagnetic Systems

Hybrid working: Loughborough University is committed to allowing its employees to work dynamically with a combination of working on campus and remotely, where possible.

About Us

This is an exciting time to join the Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical & Manufacturing Engineering, the largest engineering school at Loughborough and one of the largest in the UK. The school enjoys a broad and diverse portfolio of research activity, from manufacturing sciences to renewable technologies, systems engineering and applied high energy physics to energy challenges, as presented by this unique opportunity. A plethora of high-quality laboratories are evident throughout the school, and there is ample potential for further developments to accommodate emerging opportunities.

Notably, we have recently announced investments to support hydrogen energy and extreme environmental materials analysis and characterisation. These initiatives represent substantial investments by the University and external funding partners. As part of the West Park facilities the school is closely linked to shared resources located in other schools, such as the Loughborough Materials Characterisation Centre (LMCC) that offers a portfolio of advanced scientific instruments and materials characterisation facilities accessed by many of our staff.

The school is home to some 250 staff across several job families and approximately 2000 students on UG, PG and research programmes who are active across 4 key buildings and a number of smaller satellite facilities for specialised equipment or activities.

The role and what we’re looking for: 

We’re looking for an experienced Professor in Pulsed Power/Electromagnetic Systems to join our School. The successful candidate will take on the lead of a group and activity that has had several decades of leading research in high energy electromagnetics and pulsed power, with applications in civil and defence sectors. A core group of collaborating companies and academic institutions exist around this group and activities span from contract R&D, consultancy, professional training nationally and internationally and support to the school’s UG and PG taught and research programmes. The successful post holder will be expected to lead a group of academics, researchers, technicians and support staff and manage the group’s laboratories. The activity of the group also forms part of the Dstl EME Hub (see https://emehub.org/), led out of Loughborough, with a broad partnership of collaborating academic, government and industrial stakeholders.

We are looking for a candidate who brings experience in securing and leading contract research and consultancy activity, who has led groups of researchers and support staff to deliver on time bound projects and who has a record of successful interactions with external stakeholders.

To be successful in the role you will:

• Have a relevant PhD or equivalent research experience in electrical engineering, plasma physics, electromagnetic science/engineering or other relevant discipline.
• Be able to evidence research and/or academic activity in Pulsed Power and/or Electromagnetic Systems, or have equivalent experience from industry, with the ability to transition successfully into an academic environment.
• Have significant leadership experience gained within university or business settings
• Be able to secure substantial research funding and/or enterprise funds from external / company sources on a regular basis.
• Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Please refer to the job description and person specification for further details about the nature of the role and to view the full essential criteria before applying.

Why should you apply? 

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a successful School that is enjoying the realisation of significant opportunities in this area of research. The facilities and resources offered are unique, as is the legacy links to key stakeholders who support research in this area.

As well as Loughborough being a great place to work, we also offer a generous employment package including: 

• Generous annual leave allowance up to 44 days for full time staff (inclusive of Bank Holidays & University closure days), with the option to purchase more
• Commitment to enabling employees to work dynamically with a combination of working on campus and remotely (where possible)  
• Financial relocation support for those relocating from outside a 30-mile radius 
• Competitive pension schemes 
• A range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies and childcare support initiatives, including childcare vouchers; on-site university nursery (with salary sacrifice scheme); and holiday play schemes
• Dedicated developmental support for the academic community, including bespoke workshops, mentoring and networking support opportunities.
• On campus parking with charging points for electric vehicles and a recently launched staff leasing scheme for EVs.
• Fantastic range of sports facilities and preferential membership packages available 

Applications 

Informal enquiries about the role should be made to Professor James Flint, Director of the DSTL EMEHub by email: J.A.Flint@lboro.ac.uk or Professor Paul Conway, Dean of the School of Mechanical, Electrical & Manufacturing Engineering, by email: P.P.Conway@lboro.ac.uk.

Applications for the role will be reviewed against the essential and desirable criteria listed in the person specification. Applicants should clearly state how they meet each of the essential (and desirable) criteria in their application giving examples from their career history. For further support with your application, please refer to our application guidance, which includes some top tips and support to help you when completing your application.

Application closing date is 13 May 2025.

Assessment Process

The assessment process will include review of candidate’s submitted paperwork in support of their application, a research presentation to a group of academics at Loughborough and a formal interview. These are likely to take place on 29 May 2025.

Reasonable Adjustments 

We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that you may need during the recruitment process. If there are adjustments that you’d like to request please contact Paul Conway, Dean of the School of Mechanical, Electrical & Manufacturing Engineering, by email: p.p.conway@lboro.ac.uk.

We are proud to be a Real Living Wage Employer—so much so that we go beyond the standard, providing additional supplementary payments at specific pay points to further support our employees' financial wellbeing. Further information about the Loughborough Real Living Wage Supplement can be found on our HR webpage.