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Senior Research Associate in High Performance Electric Drives

Newcastle University • TRAFFIC • England, Not Specified, United Kingdom • 1d ago

Requisition ID: 28470

Location: Newcastle, GB

Contract Type: Fixed Term

Working Pattern: Part Time

Posted Date: 21 Aug 2025

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: 18 September 2025

The Role

The Newcastle University School of Engineering is excited to offer an opportunity for an experienced research professional to join a team of dedicated engineers on an EPSRC Programme Grant on Advanced Integrated Motor Drives. The project will investigate fundamental technologies that will enable energy reductions and increase sustainability via multi-sector electrification through integrated motor drive technology.

As Senior Research Associate you will be a central member of the team, focussing on embedded control of electric drives and power electronic converters.

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 electric motor drives.

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.

For more information about the School of Engineering, please click here

For more information about our research, please click here

For more information about our Faculty, please click here

This is a 60% of full time, fixed term post available from 27th March 2026 for the duration of 4 years and 3 months.

To apply, please complete an online application and upload a plain text copy of your CV and covering letter only. In your covering letter, you should evidence how you meet or exceed the essential and desirable requirements for the role. Please note, any other 'Additional Document' you upload may not be received by the reviewing panel.

As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels ofresearch role profiles . These profiles set out firstly the generic competences and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and secondly the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.

Key Accountabilities

The day-to-day management of up to two research associates
Co-supervision of postgraduate researchers
Strategic leadership of the electric drive research element of a large project
Coordinating, writing and presenting of reports and professional papers for publication and to our industrial partners
Contribution to the teaching of undergraduates and postgraduates.
The simulation, design, construction and test of electric motor drives and power converters
The use and programming of embedded controllers
The commissioning and testing of advanced electric drives.

The Person Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Knowledge of power electronic converters and variable speed drives.
Knowledge of electric drive simulation packages.
Knowledge of advanced drive control strategies and how to implement them
Knowledge of the special challenges associated with high-speed machine drives.

Skills (professional, technical, managerial, practical)

The ability to motivate, organise and show leadership in the management of other research staff within the research team.
The ability to design, construct and test complex machines and drives with embedded controllers.
Ability to communicate complex information clearly and adapt communication styles to suit the audience
Experience supervising undergraduate and postgraduate research students
The ability to work at times independently and make leadership / project management decisions as delegated by the PI.
Experience teaching and demonstrating to undergraduate and postgraduate research students

Experience and Achievements

Essential

Experience in the system level dynamic simulation of electric machines and drives (including electronics and software aspects of the drive), preferably using PLECs and Matlab/Simulink
Experience of various motor control techniques for low and high speed, multi-phase permanent magnet motors and switched reluctance machines
Extensive experience in testing and validation of electric motor drives.
Writing and use of embedded controller software
A strong publication portfolio showing evidence of work with an increasing impact in your field and/or discipline.
Track record of presenting at conferences and evidence of high-quality journal publications in internationally recognised papers.
Exposure to, or experience in preparing applications for funding including working with colleagues to identify funding opportunities, designing project proposals and writing bids.
Exposure to, or experience in managing research projects, identifying targets and proactively addressing risks.
Experience of working in large multi-institutional projects
Experience of high-speed electrical machines and drives

Attributes and Behaviour

Strong interpersonal and team-working skills
High level of analytical and problem-solving capacity.
Evidence of developing effective working relationships and exhibiting strong networking skills to support collaboration.
Demonstrable experience of working in a multidisciplinary team environment and actively supporting the development of a collaborative research culture.
Communicates complex information clearly and adapts communication styles to suit the audience
Professional approach with a commitment to equality, diversity, dignity and respect in the workplace

Qualifications

PhD award within the research area of electrical drives or closely related field
Desirable
Evidence of Continued Professional Development (CPD)

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 silverAthena 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.

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