Marie Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral Researcher - Mechanical Engineering Grade 8

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Location:

University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Fixed salary of £49,747, additional allowances may be applicable depending on circumstances

Grade: 8 (Spot)

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to 31 December 2029

4 x Positions available

Closing date: 15th November 2026

This role is also open as an internal secondment opportunity which would need to be agreed by your current line manager.

To create and disseminate knowledge through initiating and conducting original research and through publication, as appropriate to the disciplinary area.

The posts are part of Sur Phase, a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network funded under Horizon Europe (Grant Agreement No. ) and coordinated by the University of Birmingham.

Sur Phase is an international, interdisciplinary and intersect oral doctoral training programme addressing fundamental and applied challenges in phase-change heat transfer. It brings together expertise in thermal sciences, surface engineering, advanced manufacturing, computational modelling, data-driven methods, durability and sustainability.

The University of Birmingham will recruit four Doctoral Candidates, each appointed as a Research Fellow I for 36 months and undertaking an individual doctoral research project within the Sur Phase programme. The four University of Birmingham projects broadly cover:

• advanced surface engineering for enhanced flow boiling;
• molecular modelling of phase change at engineered interfaces;
• data-driven design of surfaces for enhanced boiling; and
• durability and sustainability of engineered heat-transfer surfaces.

The postholders will also participate in the network-wide research and training programme and undertake planned research secondments with Sur Phase academic and industrial partners.

• Initiate and conduct original research which has measurable outcomes and is reflected in a growing national and often incipient international reputation
• Plan, design and co-ordinate research activities and programmes
• Contribute to the development of research strategies
• Publish results of own research
• Supervise PhD students
• Contribute to the Department/School through management/leadership
• Develop and make substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement activities, widening participation, schools outreach or similar activities at Department/School level or further within the University

Additional Sur Phase-specific responsibilities:

• Undertake an individual doctoral research project within the Sur Phase MSCA Doctoral Network.
• Design, conduct and analyse research appropriate to the appointed project.
• Contribute to the scientific objectives, milestones and deliverables of Sur Phase.
• Work collaboratively with researchers across the academic and industrial consortium.
• Participate in network-wide scientific, transferable-skills and professional-development training.
• Undertake planned international and intersect oral research secondments.
• Disseminate research through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, network activities and appropriate public-engagement activities.

To plan and carry out research, using appropriate methodology and techniques. This may include, where appropriate to the discipline:

• Pursue personal research including developing research ideas and winning support, including financial support
• Plan, publish and/or execute high quality research
• Project manage research activities, and/or supervise other research staff
• Present high quality findings in publications and conference proceedings
• Develop novel methodologies and techniques appropriate to the type of research being pursued
• Supervise and examine PhD…