Research Assistant​/Associate in Porous Metal Manufacturing University

Job Details

Position:
Research Assistant / Associate in Porous Metal Manufacturing

Location:

Newcastle, GB

Contract Type:
Fixed Term

Working Pattern:
Full Time

Posted Date: 17 Jul 2026

Closing Date: 07 Aug 2026

Salary:
Research Assistant £33,951 – £35,608 per annum;
Research Associate £36,636 – £38,784 per annum

Requisition

Green hydrogen produced by water electrolysis is a key technology for decarbonising energy storage, chemicals and steel production. The design of porous metal materials at the heart of these devices remains largely unexplored, and new manufacturing approaches are needed to unlock their full potential.

We are seeking an ambitious Postdoctoral Research Associate/Research Assistant to join the Electrochemical Engineering Science Group and work within Dr Daniel Niblett’s team on the five‑year UKRI EPSRC ION‑H2 Fellowship. The programme combines computational modelling, machine learning, advanced manufacturing and electrolyser testing to develop next‑generation green hydrogen technologies.

You will develop innovative manufacturing routes for structured and stochastic porous metal electrodes and transport layers using additive manufacturing, powder metallurgy, casting, particle sintering and precision machining.

These materials will be characterised and tested in electrolysers using imaging and electrochemical techniques, with opportunities to work with collaborators specialising in advanced X‑ray computed tomography.

This role offers the opportunity to contribute to cutting‑edge research while developing independent research ideas within a supportive and growing team. The successful candidate will be encouraged to shape aspects of the programme, contribute to future research proposals and develop their own research direction.

The position provides an excellent platform for developing an independent academic or industrial career. The ION‑H2 programme is part of the Niblett Group and includes direct collaboration and shared resources with the Electrochemical Engineering Science Group led by Professor Mohamed Mamlouk.

The group contributes to several major international projects, including EPSRC Ocean Refuel – Floating offshore wind coupled to hydrogen production, EPSRC HyPT – AEM electrolyser catalyst modelling, operando X‑ray imaging and membrane development, and ASTERISK – next‑generation AEM membrane development.

The position offers flexible working arrangements and international collaboration with leading groups in porous material manufacturing, imaging, machine learning and electrochemical engineering. Current collaborators include UNSW Sydney (Australia), Shenzhen University (China), Eindhoven University of Technology, University of Groningen (The Netherlands), SINTEF (Norway) and Nel Hydrogen (USA).

The successful candidate will join a highly collaborative environment with access to expertise spanning electrochemistry, computational modelling, advanced manufacturing and imaging. There will be opportunities to publish high‑impact research, build international collaborations and contribute to future funding applications.

We recognise that excellent researchers come from diverse backgrounds and experiences. If this opportunity excites you, we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every requirement listed below.

• Develop and apply advanced manufacturing methods for porous metal structures, including additive manufacturing, particle sintering, casting and machining.
• Design and fabricate porous electrodes and flow fields for water electrolysers using CAD and manufacturing tools.
• Characterise porous materials and establish structure–property relationships using appropriate imaging and analysis techniques.
• Conduct optical imaging and fluid flow investigations to understand the performance of manufactured structures and designed electrolysers.
• Become trained in electrochemical techniques and apply these to evaluate fabricated materials in electrolyser cells.

• Collect, analyse and interpret research data and draw conclusions on the outcomes.
• Co‑ordinate own work with that of others, use problem solving to affect the achievement of…