Research Associate in Digital Hydraulic Fluid Power

**Research Associate in Digital Hydraulic Fluid Power**

**Department**: Mechanical Engineering

**Salary**: Starting from £37,999, rising to £45,163

**Closing date**:Tuesday 04 February 2025

We are seeking two Research Associates to take a key role in the design and development of digital hydraulic fluid power technologies and control systems. The roles are funded by the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship, investigating Digital Hydraulic Fluid Power Technologies for Decarbonising Off-road Vehicles.

Hydraulic fluid power has several advantages, such as high power density, compactness, low weight, fast response, and good controllability. However, the current hydraulic control method involves using valves to throttle flow, reduce pressure, and control the speed and force of the load. Although this approach is simple to operate, it is highly energy inefficient, and the average power efficiency of fluid power systems is only about 21%.

This project aims to design, develop and prototype next-generation digital hydraulic technologies and control systems to significantly improve hydraulic energy efficiency, fuel consumption, and CO2 emissions to decarbonise off-road vehicles for a sustainable and greener future. In addition, there are also opportunities to conduct interdisciplinary research on highly efficient actuation mechanisms, collaborating with colleagues nationally and internationally.

You will be responsible for delivering high-quality research on the topic, including:

- Design and modelling of digital hydraulic fluid power technologies
- Prototyping, validating and evaluating digital hydraulic converters
- Digital fluid power system integration and experimental validations
- Stimulating and creating pathways to impact and disseminate the research outcomes and promote the exploitation of the new technologies

You will be responsible for planning and performing your own research activities and will be expected to take an active role in supporting PhD and undergraduate research students within the laboratory.

This position is offered on a fixed term basis with an expected end date of 31st March 2027.

**About you**
- Have previous experience in one or more of the following: modelling, design, control or prototyping of fluid power components and systems
- Have excellent analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills
- Be self-motivated and have excellent communication skills

You should have excellent interpersonal and communication skills to work as part of a team and discuss your work with a range of audiences.

A lower grade offer may be made (Grade 6) with comparable reduction in responsibilities and amendment in job title to Research Assistant, if a suitable applicant cannot be found to fill the Grade 7 position. Applicants will need to be within six months of their course completion date and will be promoted to Research Associate once their PhD has been awarded.

**Further information**

What we can offer you:

- a very generous employer contributory pension scheme
- generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
- we are a family-friendly University and with an increasingly agile workforce, are open to flexible working arrangements
- an excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
- a wide range of personal and professional development opportunities
- a number of support options available for new and existing staff to help with the cost of some immigration expenses which you may be eligible for: Relocation allowance, Visa Reimbursement, Interest-Free Loan.

Find out more about our benefits on our website.

We are very proud to be an autism friendly university and are an accredited Disability Confident Leader; committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.

**Job Types**: Full-time, Fixed term contract

Pay: £37,999.00 per year

Work Location: In person

Reference ID: FM12347