Research Fellow in Thermofluidics

UCL Mechanical Engineering has been pioneering the development of engineering education, having taught the core discipline for over 165 years. UCL was home to the UK’s first ever Professor of the Mechanical Principles of Engineering, Eaton Hodgkinson, in 1847. It was also where Sir Alexander Blackie William Kennedy introduced organised laboratory practicals in university education training; a world‑leading educational innovation at the time.

At UCL Mechanical Engineering, we develop and apply core competencies to produce world‑class research into a wider range of engineering challenges than most would imagine. Amongst many other avenues we are:

• Nanoengineered Interfaces
• Leading research into low carbon shipping
• Designing the greenest engines and novel sustainable fuels
• Biomechanical Research
• Development and testing of new and unique materials

We are pleased to be recruiting for a new Research Fellow in Thermofluids phenomena investigated using nanoengineered surfaces. The post will underpin our activities in nanoengineered surface treatments with special emphasis on sustainability. Interested candidates are advised to consult groups previous research publications around surface treatment and interfacial science. A background in basic thermofluid sciences and optical diagnostics will be main emphasis.

Examples include investing flow condensation, icing phenomena on engineered surfaces. The post-holder will need to have a deep knowledge of material sciences and surface treatment technologies. The work also involves engagement with UCL Hawkes Institute and Manufacturing Futures Lab. Please refer to our publications and research profile to gather additional information regarding prior work.

This post is part of the Inspiring Future (ERC Consolidator) project. The post-holder will be expected to have a strong background in interlinked topics such as thermofluid sciences, phase change processes (including flow condensation, icing, and freezing droplet impact dynamics), and related high‑speed or infrared optical diagnostics.

Experience with micro/nanoengineered interfaces and surface treatments for controlling condensation, icing/freezing, wetting, evaporation, or micro/nanoscale transport phenomena will be highly advantageous, as will exposure to scalable and sustainable materials processing approaches. Research within the team is strongly aligned with sustainability and seeks to address challenges associated with the use of per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in surface manufacturing. Familiarity with investigating nanoscale confinement effects to delay ice nucleation, together with assessing mechanochemical robustness (e.g. fatigue, high‑speed jet impact, and shear‑flow resistance), would also be advantageous.

The post-holder will additionally be expected to develop expertise in the preparation and characterisation of coated substrates for testing by industry partners, development of novel application areas while actively supporting the innovation, scale‑up, and entrepreneurial activities associated with the project. The post is initially funded for 18 months and will be subject to standard probation and appraisal procedures. Please note that this is a Grade 7 post remunerating at £45,103 (Spine Point 31) including London Weighting allowance.

We will accept applications from finishing PhD students at Grade 6B at a salary of £39,148.

Note:

Upon submission of proof of their PhD degree certificate, the candidate appointed at Grade 6B are moved to Grade 7, spine point 31. The position is based in UCL and will require fully in‑person, laboratory‑based work.

For information about our rewards and benefits please visit the UCL rewards and benefits page.

As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce.

These include people from Black, Asian, and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people and LGBTQI+ people.