Research Fellow in Fluid Mechanics - Aerosol Droplets Dispersion and Impact

Research Fellow in Fluid Mechanics - Aerosol Droplets Dispersion and Impact

This post is part of Inspiring Future (ERC Consolidator) project & the NIHR Programme Grant for Applied Health:
Air Safety.

Our emphasis is on rapid clinical translation, with the research fellow concentrating on improving and maintaining current clinical trial experimental rigs consisting of aerosol generators and particle counter units. In addition, they will undertake aerosol dispersion and fluid mechanics measurements and provide engineering support to clinicians within and outside UCL campus and periodically at different hospitals across the UK.

The post is initially funded for two years and will be subject to standard probation and appraisal procedures.

This is a Grade 7 post remunerating at £45,103 (Spine Point 31) including London Weighting allowance. Applications from finishing PhD students at Grade 6B are accepted with a salary of £39,148. Upon submission of proof of their PhD degree certificate, the candidate appointed at Grade 6B is moved to Grade 7, Spine Point 31.

The position is based in UCL and will require in‑person, laboratory‑based work.

The post will underpin our activities in droplets and aerosol dispersion characteristics, particularly as it may relate to transmission of airborne disease in hospitals. A background in basic thermofluid sciences and optical diagnostics will be the main emphasis. Examples include investigating flow characteristics, aerosol dispersion, development of novel atomisation and flow diagnostics, and aerodynamics characteristics. The post‑holder will need to have deep knowledge of thermofluid sciences, rheology and laser‑based flow diagnostics.

The measurements will be complemented by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) developed by other project members, and fed into the development of an artificial intelligence platform to rapidly predict fluid mechanics of droplet dispersion and/or impact physics in hospital environments.

• Develop and harness aerosol generation & characterization rigs.
• Design fluid mechanics experiments for aero‑sampling, particle counting, and laser‑based flow characterization.
• Serve as optical diagnostics and laser‑based thermofluids expert for the team and actively engage in related health and safety responsibilities.
• Perform materials & rheological characterization, data acquisition/processing & interpretation.
• Actively initiate, partake in, and/or lead public engagement activities.
• Provide engineering support in the clinical trial.
• Contribute to periodical research progress reports and presentations as part of project deliverables.
• Support wider affiliated centres and institutes and be involved in seminar series, public engagement, tutorials, and other activities.
• Deliver publications or other research outputs in line with personal objectives agreed with line manager.
• Carry out any other duties (such as teaching) as requested by the line manager.

We are keen to accept qualifications for holders of PhDs (or candidates whose PhDs are near completion) in fluid mechanics and/or related areas. It is essential that you have an excellent track record of research in fluid mechanics and flow diagnostics technologies and good communication skills.

• Expertise in fluid mechanics and experimental flow diagnostics technologies.
• Notable publications in one or more areas ranging from fluid mechanics and mixing dynamics measurements to aerosol dispersions.
• Programming, and data acquisition and analysis using software tools such as Matlab, Python, Labview, etc.
• Interest in contributing to the pertinent teaching (UG/PG) and PhD supervision activities.
• Ability to support preparation of research proposals to secure external funding.

• 41 days holiday (27 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays, and 6 closure days).
• Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme.
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE).
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan.
• Relocation scheme for certain posts.
• On‑site gym.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay.
• Employee assistance programme:
  Staff Support Service.

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 under‑represented in UCL’s workforce, including people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.