Senior RA in Rotor Dynamics
Newcastle, GB
Salary: £46,485 to £55,295 per annum
Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.
Closing Date: 30 October 2024
The Role
The Newcastle University School of Engineering and our partner Dyson are excited to offer an opportunity for an experienced research professional to join a team of dedicated engineers on an EPSRC project. The project will examine the mechanical design of electrical machines, focusing on the coupled dynamic behaviour of permanent magnet rotors, stators, bearings, and impellers, with research outputs directly feeding into the next generation of Dyson consumer products.
You will be a central member of the team, focusing on creation and mechanical analysis of novel electrical machines, along with rotor-dynamic simulation modelling (finite element method etc), including the multi-physical interactions between electromagnetics, thermodynamics, material mechanics, fluid dynamics and rotor-dynamics.
You will have extensive experience of academic research, large collaborative projects and strategic leadership. You will also be able to demonstrate knowledge of the critical aspect of dynamics and mechanical design of rotating machinery. You will hold a PhD in the field of rotor-dynamics, and a Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy or the equivalent level of experience.
You will be based at Newcastle University, but may occasionally visit Dyson.
We are the UK’s largest academic research group in Electrical Power, involved in activities from Nano Watts to Giga Watts. Through our state-of-the-art research laboratory facilities, our activities are highly cross-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary. We are well known for our high level of industrial engagement
https://www.ncl.ac.uk/engineering/research/eee/power/
https://www.ncl.ac.uk/engineering/
This is a full time, fixed term post available immediately and lasting to March 2026.
For informal queries please contact Prof. Barrie Mecrow Barrie.Mecrow@ncl.ac.uk
https://www.ncl.ac.uk/engineering/staff/profile/barriemecrow.html#background
Key Accountabilities
Your role will include:
- An innovative approach to the mechanical design of electrical machines
- Rotor-dynamics analysis
- Mechanical stress analysis
- Structural modal analysis
- Investigation of novel concept bearing characteristics
- Creation of methods to estimate the effects of multi-physical interactions
- Practical test bed commissioning
- Testing and performance evaluation
- Writing and presenting of industrial reports and professional papers for publication
- The day to day management of up to two research associates
- Co-supervision of postgraduate researchers
- Strategic leadership of the mechanical element of a large project
- Contribution to the teaching of undergraduates and postgraduates.
The Person
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Knowledge
- A clear understanding of rotating machine design, with major expertise in rotor-dynamics, NVH, and some knowledge of the characteristics of electrical machines
- A solid understanding of computational mechanics and mechanical vibration
- Experience of the design and construction of rotating machines
Skills (professional, technical, managerial, practical)
- Proficiency in rotor-dynamic simulations using the finite element method
- Proficiency in CAD modelling
- The ability to motivate, organise and show leadership of other research staff
- The ability to design, construct and test complex machines at a system level
- Ability to communicate complex information clearly
- Experience supervising undergraduate and postgraduate research students
Experience and Achievements
- A good track record of academic journal publications
- Experience of high-speed rotating machines, preferably electrical machines
- Experience in the system level dynamic simulation of rotating machines
Attributes and Behaviour
- Strong interpersonal and team-working skills
- High level of analytical and problem-solving capacity
- Strong networking skills to support collaboration
- Professional approach with a commitment to equality, diversity, dignity and respect in the workplace
Qualifications
- PhD award within the research area of rotor-dynamics and bearing design or a closely related field
Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.
We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.
At Newcastle University we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.
In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.
Requisition ID: 27683