Research Fellow in Hydrogen-Based Railway Traction Systems - Engineering and Physical Sciences

Position Details

Engineering and Physical Sciences

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £30,942 to £40,322. With potential progression once in post to £42,792 a year

Grade 7

Full time

Fixed term contract until 30th December 2021

Closing date: 26th November 2020

Background

To create and contribute to the creation of knowledge in the area of traction and power technologies in Rail, with a focus on Hydrogen fuel cell-based traction by undertaking a range of activities within the Power and Energy group of the Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education in the School of Engineering.

Summary of Role

• Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids
• Operate primarily within the area of hydrogen fuel cells and railway traction
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results
• Contribute to generating funding
• Contribute to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar

Main Duties

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.

• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, in this field, with assistance of a mentor if required
• Design, develop and carry out appropriate experiments using specialist equipment. Collect, interpret and analyse results accordingly.
• Collaborate with internal and external project partners from a wide range of industry and academia
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Analyse and interpret data
• Apply knowledge thus gained in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars and similar outlets
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
• Undertake management/administration arising from research
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
• Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research 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

• Degree in area of specialism and normally, a higher degree relevant to research area or equivalent qualifications, ideally in relation to hydrogen fuel cells and/or railway applications
• Demonstrable knowledge and experience of research in the field of hydrogen-based traction systems for rail applications
• Knowledge and experience of working with project collaborators in the rail industry
• High level analytical capability
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly to a range of technical and non-technical audiences
• 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 programme and/or specific research project
• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort

Informal enquiries can be made to Nadeen Taylor - N.Taylor.3@bham.ac.uk

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