School/Department
School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing
Based at
Cranfield Campus, Cranfield, Bedfordshire
Hours of work
37 hours per week, normally worked Monday to Friday. Flexible working will be considered.
Contract type Fixed term contract
Fixed Term Period 12 months
Salary
Research Assistant: £24,739 to £28,338 per annum with additional performance related pay up to £35,420 per annum or Research Fellow: £33,309 per annum
Apply by 26/11/2020

Role Description

We welcome applications for this exciting Research Assistant/ Research Fellow post from those with extensive knowledge and experience in modelling and performance analysis of flight control actuators. In addition, knowledge in electrically signalled and powered flight control actuators and/or hands-on experience in experimental flight mechanics, with RC models and/or copters, in particular, would be highly advantageous.

As the UK’s only exclusively postgraduate university, Cranfield’s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships is creating leaders in technology and management globally.  Our distinctive expertise is in our deep understanding of technology and management and how these work together to benefit the world. 

Our people are our most valuable resource and everyone has a role to play in shaping the future of our university, developing our learners, and transforming the businesses we work with. Learn more about Cranfield and our unique impact here. Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out more here.

The School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing (SATM) is a leading provider of postgraduate level engineering education, research and technology support to individuals and organisations. At the forefront of aerospace, manufacturing and transport systems technology and management for over 70 years, we deliver multi-disciplinary solutions to the complex challenges facing industry. 

The Centre for Autonomous and Cyber-Physical Systems at Cranfield has a leading reputation in autonomous and space systems, established with over 15 years of research in this field. We cover all types of autonomous systems including airborne, ground and marine as well as autonomous space exploration.

We are renowned for being a leading European centre for postgraduate teaching and research in autonomous and cyber-physical systems with approximately 500 alumni members around the world working in the aerospace industry. Over the last two decades we have developed a significant body of research and its applications in autonomous systems. 

This post is a full-time fixed term contract for 12 months as a Research Assistant/ Research Fellow in Experimental Flight Mechanics with possible extension. The position will support the design, manufacturing, and development of a new electrically signalled and powered flight control actuator of the Innovate UK sponsored project titled “INCEPSION: Integrated Compact Electrically Powered & Signalled Actuation Systems.” This project is a collaboration between academic and industry partners aiming to develop a novel electrohydrostatic aerospace actuator with improved performance. To reach the aims of the project you will define requirement for a new flight control actuator, identify model from experiments and analyse performance from flight dynamics point of view via simulations.

You will be expected to support other research activities, on-going within the Centre – specifically, supporting related activities into the sustainable aviation and fundamental enabling technologies for electrification and Urban Air Mobility (UAM), such as novel actuation concepts, battery/power packs, avionics units, etc. The backbone of these activities will be the development of an iron bird tied to a flight simulator and system models on which conops of UAM, test various loading, emergency, contingency or through-life conditions can be simulated. Additionally, flight test campaigns of fixed-wing and rotorcraft UAVs are considered to support research activities across the Centre.

You will have an MSc or PhD (or close to completion) in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering or similar area and/or have equivalent significant experience and strong practical workshop skills. You will have expertise in the area of design, modelling and/or testing of flight control actuator. Previous experience in dealing with electrically signalled and powered flight control actuators would be an advantage. 

In return, the successful applicant will have exciting opportunities for career development in this key position, and to be at the forefront of world leading research in the area of UAM and education, joining a supportive team and environment. 

At Cranfield we value Diversity and Inclusion, and aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together harmoniously with dignity and respect and realise their full potential. 

Our equal opportunities and diversity monitoring has shown that women and minority ethnic groups are currently underrepresented within the university and so we actively encourage applications from eligible candidates from these groups.

We actively consider flexible working options such as part-time, compressed or flexible hours and/or an element of homeworking, and whether a position can be carried out at any of our locations.  We commit to exploring the possibilities for each role. Find out more here.

For an informal discussion, please contact Dr Dmitry Ignatyev, Senior Research Fellow in Autonomous Systems and Control, (T) +44 (0) 1234 75 8248 or (E) D.Ignatyev@cranfield.ac.uk.