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Research Fellow in Phase Change Materials and Energy Storage (KTP Associate) - School of Chemical En

Employer
Global Academy Jobs
Location
United Kingdom
Salary
£30,942 - £42,792
Closing date
Nov 13, 2019

Job Details

Position Details

Area: School of Chemical Engineering in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £30,942 to £40,322, with potential progression once in post to £42,792

Hours: Full time

Duration: Fixed term for up to 24 months

Location: The successful applicant will be employed by the University of Birmingham but will be primarily based at AMP Clean Energy's premises at Torlundy, Fort William in Scotland.

Closing Date: 13 November 2019

Background

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between the School of Chemical Engineering at the University of Birmingham and AMP Clean Energy. The aim of the Knowledge Transfer Partnership is to design, build and test thermal energy storage using novel phase Change materials to increase the efficiency and cost effectiveness of gas peaking plant.

The post holder will be responsible for the composite PCM development and testing, screening laboratory and field testing and will play a key role in thermal store design, simulation and manufacture. The successful applicant will work in collaboration with AMP Clean Energy Ltd on thermal store integration with peaking plant and the related performance testing and embedding of knowledge with AMP's technical team. The Associate will present results to a steering group of University and AMP staff throughout the project. The successful applicant will undertake training at the University of Birmingham on the techniques of composite phase change materials formulation and characterisation..

The successful applicant will be employed by the University of Birmingham but will be primarily based at AMP Clean Energy's premises at Torlundy, Fort William in Scotland.

About AMP Clean Energy

AMP Clean Energy is a distributed energy company which supplies biomass wood fuel, develops low carbon heat and power assets, and invests in companies which support decarbonisation. AMP Clean Energy's mission is to help UK businesses unlock the potential of decentralised, low carbon energy which supports the UK's transition to a low carbon economy. Find out more at www.ampcleanenergy.com

About Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) scheme is a government-funded technology transfer initiative that supports partnerships between business and universities, placing graduates on challenging, high profile projects. Further information is available at: www.birmingham.ac.uk/ktp

About Fort William

Lochaber is known as the outdoor capital of the UK for its scenic views and majestic mountains. This historical area is part of the Scottish West Highlands and offers those who live and work there a variety of outdoor activities including skiing, snowboarding, water sports, fly fishing and more. Tourists come to Lochaber to explore Fort William and Glen Nevis valley, but as someone who lives in the area you'll be able to explore the nature and wildlife around you all year round. The Lochaber community is a small one, with many small villages scattered around the area and many family businesses that have been up and running for years. The locals are warm and friendly, making it easy to become a part of the community.

Summary of Role

At the early stage of the project the KTP Associate will undertake training at the University of Birmingham on the techniques of composite PCM formulation (including milling, mixing, granulation, compaction, drying and sintering etc) and characterisation (DSC, TGA, XRD, SEM etc). The post holder will also undertake a Literature Review to understand the most appropriate material to be used to recover heat from the flue gas and hot water of the peaking plant and then carry out a screening on the potential material pairs considering both the thermal properties, costs and the manufacture processing requirement.

The KTP Associate will be responsible for the composite PCM development and testing using the related facility at the University of Birmingham to optimise the operating parameters of the fabrication processes and also the cyclic stability and decay study. The post holder will also play a key role In thermal store design, simulation and manufacture. Working alongside the academic supervisor, the KTP Associate will analyse and review the performance of the thermal store (comprising a number of heat exchangers, controls, circulating pumps, etc) in a dynamic way (non-steady state) using CFD techniques. Working with AMP, the KTP Associate will also be involved in the thermal store manufacture process which will be done by a sub-contractor.

Working in collaboration with AMP Clean Energy Ltd, the KTP Associate will also be involved in the integration of the thermal stores with peaking plant and related performance testing. Based on the test result the Associate will also carry out a techno-economic assessment of the thermal stores. The post will report results to a steering group of University and AMP staff.

Main Duties/Responsibilities

• Conduct own and original research

• Lead the composite PCM development and tests

• Lead the thermal store design and manufacture

• Carry out a techno-economic assessment

• Develop research objectives for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required

• Analyse and interpret data

• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding

• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc.

• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods

• Undertake management/administration arising from research

• Contribute to enterprise and business development and/or public engagement activities of benefit to the Company or University, often under supervision of a project leader

• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of methods such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews

• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters

• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research

• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines

Person Specification

• First degree in Materials Science & Engineering or Chemical Engineering and a higher degree in Chemical Engineering, or equivalent qualifications

• Knowledge in materials formulation, process integration, and heat exchanger design

• Experience of different modelling software packages such as Ansys Fluent and Aspen Plus

• Industrial experience will be desirable but not essential

• High level analytical capability

• Ability to communicate complex information clearly

• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones

• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively

• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes

• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research project

• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort.

Informal enquiries can be made to Yongliang Li; y.li.1@bham.ac.uk

We value diversity at The University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community

Valuing excellence; sustaining investment

Company

Global Academy Jobs works with over 250 universities worldwide to promote academic mobility and international research collaboration. Global problems need international solutions. Our jobs board and emails reach the academics and researchers who can help.

"The globalisation of higher education continues apace, driving in turn the ongoing development of the global knowledge economy, striving for solutions to the world’s problems and educating a next generation of leaders and contributors."

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