Research Associate in Multiscale Evaporation from Nanoporous Materials

Grade UE07: £41,885.00 - £49,798.00 per annum

School of Engineering / Institute for Multiscale Thermofluids

Full-time: 35 hours per week

Fixed-term: up to 30 months (to the end of the grant in August 2029)

Where curiosity becomes impact

The University isn't just any employer. We are part of a local community and a contributor to global thinking, progress and research. In Edinburgh, you are in one of the world's most attractive cities.

The University of Edinburgh is a world-class organisation. We look for the best in the field across all disciplines and provide a working environment where academics can develop their careers and passion for their chosen subject area.

The Opportunity:

We are looking for a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) to work with Dr Rohit Pillai and Dr Livio Gibelli. The post is funded by NANO-COOL, Dr Pillai's European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant (funded by UK Research and Innovation), which is developing computational tools to design the next generation of electronics cooling devices.

You will develop a multiphysics model of evaporation in sub-100 nm pores, coupling a continuum description of the liquid with a kinetic-theory (DSMC, direct simulation Monte Carlo) description of the vapour, informed by molecular simulations from the NANO-COOL team, and test it against published experimental data. For an example of our recent work building a continuum model that includes molecular effects, see our recent paper.

Our group is also building artificial intelligence (AI) agents into how it does research, and you will be encouraged to bring your own ideas for modelling and analysis.

You will have a computational PhD in engineering, physical sciences, applied mathematics or a clearly related area, and experience in continuum modelling (computational fluid dynamics, CFD) of liquids and/or kinetic theory of vapour, with a focus on evaporation, phase change, or heat and mass transfer. You will also have an interest in using AI agents in research and the initiative to build them into your own work.

We offer weekly meetings with your supervisors, monthly group meetings, a large interdisciplinary network of collaborators, regular travel to national and international conferences, and training in state-of-the-art research software. Most of our recent PDRAs have moved into independent academic roles or won competitive research fellowships by the end of their contract. Find out more about our group on the group website.

The post starts on 1st March 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter. Informal enquiries are welcome: please contact , including if you meet some, but not all, of the criteria.

This post is full-time (35 hours per week). We are open to considering requests for hybrid working (on a non-contractual basis) that combines a mix of remote and regular on-campus working.

People have always been at the heart of our work. We value colleagues with drive, determination and a passion for what they do. We are a place where everyone is welcome.

A career with us has a range of other benefits that can be tailored to your lifestyle:

• Leading-edge research
• Opportunities for publication
• Professional development and subject matter expertise
• Flexible/hybrid where the roles allow

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

• A competitive salary.

• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.

• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.

• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, including generous annual leave entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, a wide range of staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page and use our reward calculator to discover the value of your pay and…