Postdoctoral Research Associate

**Postdoctoral Research Associate - SEASTARS** **(**Job Number**:25000655**)**

Department of Engineering

Grade 7: - £38,249 - £45,413 per annum

Fixed Term - Full Time

**Contract Duration**: Up to 30 months, funding dependent (see comments box)

**Contracted Hours per Week**: 35

**Working Arrangements**: Monday to Friday

**Closing Date**: 23-Jun-2025, 5:59:00 PM

**Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement**: Not Applicable.

**Working at Durham University**

A globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a warm and friendly place to work, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other.

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**The Role and Department**

As a member of the Russell Group of leading research-intensive universities, Durham University has a longstanding commitment to excellence in research and research-led teaching. Recognised as one of the world’s leading centres for Engineering research, Durham is ranked 4th in the Complete University Guide, and 6th in both The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 and The Guardian University Guide 2025, and is consistently listed among the world’s top 100 universities.

**The Role**

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position in the Department of Engineering, with a focus on digital twin modelling for marine engines and propulsion systems involving different decarbonisation technologies, as well as the development of AI-driven decision-making tools for optimising low-carbon marine powertrain designs. This position is part of the Horizon Europe project SEASTARS, which aims to transform maritime sustainability by integrating cutting-edge emission-reduction and efficiency technologies into four retrofit and four new-build vessels operating across inland, short-sea, and high-seas shipping routes.

**Key responsibilities**:

- To understand and convey material of a specialist or highly technical nature to the team or group of people through presentations and discussions that leads to the presentation of research papers in conferences and publications.
- To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences which may include: research sponsors, academic and non-academic audiences.
- To publish high quality outputs, including papers for submission to peer reviewed journals and papers for presentation at conferences and workshops under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
- To assist with the development of research objectives and proposals.
- To conduct individual and collaborative research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
- To work with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and other colleagues in the research group, as appropriate, to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.
- To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and offering creative or innovative solutions.
- To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.
- To plan and manage own research activity, research resources in collaboration with others and contribute to the planning of research projects.
- To deliver training in research techniques/approaches to peers, visitors and students as appropriate.
- To be involved in student supervision, as appropriate, and assist with the assessment of the knowledge of students.
- To contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which