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 Permanent
Salary Competitive
Apply by 24/05/2021 

Role Description

Aerospace is at the heart of Cranfield’s global research airport and is renowned throughout the world for its teaching and research in the fields of aviation and aerospace.

Our aerospace and aviation strategy is driven by the four A’s – defining and delivering aircraft of the future, airspace management of the future, airports of the future and airlines of the future. This strategy sits across all related University activities. Aerospace is one of eight sector-facing specialisms in the University and consists of six centres – The Centre of Aeronautics, the Centre of Propulsion Engineering, the Centre for Intelligent Automation and Structures, the Centre for Autonomy and Cyber Physical Systems, the Centre for Computational Engineering Science and the Aerospace Integration Research Centre. Cranfield Aerospace is internationally recognised as the first choice for research and education in all aspects of aerospace including aircraft, drones, urban air mobility and space.

The Centre for Propulsion Engineering has a strong track record in power plant modelling and performance simulation. Research activities in the past 50 years cover virtually every aspect of the field, such as steady-state and transient performance simulation, diagnostics, novel cycles, engine control, advanced simulation methods etc. Participation in many EU projects gives a strong view as to the emergence of new methodologies and simulation tools. Centre for Propulsion Engineering staff run a large international activity embracing applied research, industrial short courses and leading MSc and PhD programmes. This enjoys global visibility and extensive links and collaborations with industry.

About the Role

Reporting to the Director of Aerospace, we are looking to appoint a Professor and Head of Centre to lead the Centre for Propulsion Engineering and its approximately 60 staff. You will be a global leader in the field of Propulsion Engineering and will lead a Centre with an international reputation for excellence and pushing the boundaries of teaching and research.

You will have access to University facilities, including the world-leading Aerospace Integration Research Centre and you will be expected to make strong partnership links with the newly established UK Aerospace Research Consortium.

About You

You will possess a PhD or equivalent in a subject relevant to Propulsion Engineering, as well as experience in providing outstanding leadership of a research group or team. Reflecting that this position is leading a Centre with a major international reputation, you will also have an outstanding world-class track record of research in some aspects of Propulsion Engineering, evidenced by high-profile publications in the top peer reviewed journals as well as in books, research reports and successful engineering projects.

Our Values

Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out more here. We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential.

Diversity and Inclusion

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.

Flexible Working

We actively consider flexible working options such as part-time, compressed or flexible hours and/or an element of homeworking, and commit to exploring the possibilities for each role. Find out more here.

How to apply

For an informal discussion, please contact Professor Iain Gray, Director of Aerospace, on (T); +44 (0)1234 75 8398 or (E); i.gray@cranfield.ac.uk