Research Fellow United Kingdom
Job description
Dr. Katharina Brinkert’s (University of Warwick, UK) and Dr. Álvaro Romero-Calvo’s (Georgia Institute of Technology, USA) groups are seeking exceptionally qualified candidates for a Research Fellow position in liquid-gas multiphase flow simulation and experimentation with applications to low-gravity electrochemical systems.
The ideal candidate will:
- Have a strong background in fluid mechanics, with special attention to incompressible multiphase flow simulation in any relevant platform (Basilisk, OpenFOAM, ANSYS Fluent, COMSOL Multiphysics, etc.). The candidate should be ready to study the growth, detachment, and displacement of single and multi-bubble systems subject to external driving forces.
- Be familiar with the principles of magnetohydrodynamic flow simulation, including the generation of magnetic fields and current paths within a water-based electrolyte.
- Support the development of an upcoming ESA-sponsored sounding rocket experiment flying magnetohydrodynamically-enhanced (photo-)electrochemical cells through (a) numerical simulations, (b) sample preparation, and (c) rapid prototyping and testing.
A theoretical and/or experimental background on (photo-)electrochemical systems (e.g., solar water-splitting, carbon dioxide reduction), space systems engineering (e.g. power generation, flow management in microgravity), and microgravity research will be positively valued.
The candidate will be employed by the University of Warwick and will spend at least 6 weeks (visit extensible depending on funding availability) at the Georgia Institute of Technology as a visiting scholar. Interested candidates must have a PhD in a related field by August 1st, 2023. The position is funded by the UK Space Agency in the context of a recently awarded ESA SciSpace suborbital rocket experiment.
Applications must include:
1. A 1-page supporting letter detailing any relevant background and how this aligns with the project.
2. A Curriculum Vitae with educational and work experience, honours and awards, list of journal articles, and list of conference publications and presentations to date.
Applicants should provide these as attached documents in the supporting documents section of the application form.
If you are near submission or have recently submitted your PhD but have not yet had it conferred, any offers of employment will be made as Research Assistant at the top of level 5 of the University grade structure. Upon receipt of evidence of the successful award of your PhD, you will be promoted to Research Fellow on the first point of level 6 of the University grade structure.
To find out more about the role, please contact: Katharina Brinkert
([email protected]).
Relevant references:
- Á. Romero-Calvo, G. Cano-Gómez, H. Schaub, “Diamagnetically enhanced electrolysis and phase separation in low-gravity“, Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Vol. 59, No. 1, pp. 59-72, 2022. doi: 10.2514/1.A35021.
- Á. Romero-Calvo, A. Ömer, H. Schaub, and K. Brinkert. “Magnetic phase separation in microgravity“, npj Microgravity, Vol. 8, No. 32, 2022, doi: 10.1038/s41526-022-00212-9.
- K. Brinkert, M. H. Richter, Ö. Akay, J. Liedtke, M. Giersig, K. Fountaine, and H.-J. Lewerez, “Efficient solar hydrogen generation in microgravity environment”, Nature Communications 9, 2527, 2018, doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-04844-y.
The Department is dedicated to supporting a diverse and inclusive work environment, and hence applications from candidates from groups traditionally under-represented in Chemistry are particularly encouraged and welcome.
Interview Date: TBC.
Job Description
JOB PURPOSE
The project aims at supporting our ongoing preparations for a Sounding Rocket experiment (‘SolarMag’) which was recently awarded by ESA and which will be supported by the UK Space Agency (UKSA) and the German Aerospace Center (DLR). The Research Fellow is asked to further develop and carry out the required magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations for predicting the optimal position of the magnets in the (photo-)electrochemical cells for gas bubble desorption and collection. These studies will be in part completed at the University of Warwick and in part at GeorgiaTech. The overall results will feed into the rocket hardware design and the design of the terrestrial comparison cells. Moreover, the Research Fellow will support the team in organising and coordinating meetings with ESA and the company (yet to be determined) which will develop our Sounding Rocket hardware.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Conduct Liquid-gas multiphase flow simulations and experimentation with applications to low-gravity electrochemical systems i.e. concretely: utilization and further development of the MHD theory.
2. Support of the preparations of the upcoming Sounding Rocket Experiment campaign by coordinating team meetings with involved partners (e.g. ESA).
3. To act with professionalism at all times and show respect to their colleagues and to understand and adhere to the University's value of dignity at work; they are also expected to work collegially and to support all the teams with which they have contact in achieving the University's objectives.
4. Any other duties commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility of this post, for which the post holder has the necessary experience and/or training.
Warwick is committed to building an organisation of mutual respect and dignity, promoting a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive working and learning environment. We recognise that everyone is different in a variety of visible and non-visible ways, and that those differences are to be recognised, respected, and valued. Where possible, we go beyond legislation to provide a place where everyone can thrive, supporting all staff to achieve their full potential. We aspire to remove economic, social and cultural barriers that may otherwise prevent people from succeeding.
We therefore welcome and encourage applications from all communities regardless of culture, background, age, disability, sex/gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion/belief, or sexual or romantic orientation. To find out more about our social inclusion work at Warwick visit our webpages here.
Athena SWAN Silver Award
We are committed to supporting staff to achieve their potential. Both the Department of Chemistry and the University of Warwick hold Athena SWAN silver awards, a national initiative that recognises the advancement of gender equality, representation, progression, and success for all in academia. We provide a welcoming and inclusive working and learning environment, recognising that everyone is different in a variety of visible and non-visible ways, and that those differences are to be recognised, respected, and valued. We welcome applications from individuals who identify with any of the protected characteristics defined by the Equality Act 2010. We are supportive of staff with caring responsibilities.
Further information about the work of the University in relation to Athena SWAN can be found at the following link: Athena Swan (warwick.ac.uk)
The University of Warwick is one of the six founder institutions of the EUTOPIA European University alliance, whose aim is to become by 2025 an open, multicultural, confederated operation of connected campuses.
Right to work in the UK
If you do not yet have the right to work in the UK and/or are seeking sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa in the UK points-based immigration system please click on this link which contains further information about obtaining right to work in the UK and details about eligibility for sponsorship for a Skilled Worker Visa.
What we offer
We will provide you with a great range of benefits, which include an attractive pension scheme, 30 days’ holiday plus Christmas closure, excellent learning and development opportunities, and savings on a wide range of products and services. We offer a generous maternity/ paternity/ adoption/parental leave policy, onsite childcare facilities. We recognise the importance of a healthy work/life balance and offer you access to flexible working, for more information visit our Rewards and Benefits
webpage.
For further information about the University of Warwick, please read our University Further Particulars.
For further information about the department, please visit the departmental website.
A summary of Chemistry Research within Warwick Chemistry are given here.
