Lecturer in Aerospace Aerodynamics

Role Overview

The role-holder will drive forward research and teaching in aerospace aerodynamics, with a particular focus on compressible flows, including aero‑thermal dynamics, transonic, supersonic and hypersonic flows and rarefied gas dynamics.

While we are particularly interested to hear from candidates with notable experience in computational aerodynamics, candidates with a predominantly experimental focus may also be considered for this post.

The research track record of the candidate should include demonstrable experience relevant to aerospace design, aerospace flight physics, virtual environments for aerospace applications, or another overtly aerospace application area.

The successful candidate will work collaboratively across the University’s established strengths in aerospace and engineering design, while also cultivating partnerships with the aircraft industry and international research groups. They will play a pivotal role in shaping aerospace innovation at Manchester in the years to come, advancing world‑leading research, strengthening interdisciplinary capability, and ensuring that our graduates are equipped with the skills and insight to lead in a demanding area of high national and international importance.

This is a teaching and research position and so the appointee is expected to lead on the development and delivery of teaching of fundamental topics related to Aerospace Engineering across the range of programmes and year groups in the school.

The successful candidate will join the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) within the School of Engineering, a vibrant community of around 150 academic and research staff and over 250 PhD students. The department’s aerospace research spans propulsion, autonomous systems, robotics and aerodynamics, covering topics from bio‑inspired design to novel configurations and low‑carbon solutions, through to hypersonic flight and rarefied gas dynamics.

Using state‑of‑the‑art wind tunnel facilities and high‑fidelity simulations, we investigate flow control, turbulence and aerodynamic performance across the full spectrum of the aerospace domain, driving innovation in civil aviation, defence and space access. The inter‑disciplinary Modelling & Simulation Centre brings together over 40 academic staff with deep expertise across a wide range of topics in computational engineering.

The appointee will contribute to this ecosystem by helping deliver and develop teaching and design activities in both core and advanced topics in aerodynamics. Other anticipated areas of teaching would include aerospace‑related modelling and simulation courses, including the development and deployment of virtual environments and flight simulation technology. Teaching spans undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Robotics.

• Generous employer contribution pension
• 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays, along with Christmas closure
• Ride to work and EV car scheme available

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