Application closing date 14/06/2021
Salary £33,797 to £35,845 per annum
Job category/type Research

Job description

In response to the pressing need for zero carbon emissions using sustainable renewable energy, Queen’s University Belfast have an exciting Postdoctoral research opportunity available to work on this topic. This is a 24 month fixed term contract or until 29 March 2023 whichever is soonest. You will be working within ‘The Marine Research Group’ at QUB and funded by Invest NI CASE project, entitled Vertical Axis Tidal Turbines in Strangford (VATTS). The project aims to establish the hydrodynamic energy potential in Strangford Lough through validation with industrial partner and technology developer G Kinetic, using their hydrokinetic energy harvesting device.

The research will build on existing standards in the use of field instrumentation and methodologies (ADCP’s and ADV’s) to characterise inflow and wake resources around the device. You will need to be competent in planning, organising and carrying out field work using such field equipment. Critical skills in post-processing of the data including power performance prediction and turbulence characterisation in highly sheared flow such as experienced in the Strangford narrows, will be required. Some knowledge of energy systems is desirable to undertake tasks relating to the techno-economic assessment of bringing the energy to shore.

You will be driven to develop or enhance your research reputation in the marine energy sector and will have the opportunity to undertake independent research and further the tidal energy test site towards its commercial ambitions. The project will be in close collaboration with industry partners and you will be expected to work as part of the Marine Research Group to help coordinate activities, manage project progress and conduct tasks relating to administration and dissemination.

The successful candidate must have, and you should clearly demonstrate this in your CV/Cover letter:

• Normally have or be about to obtain a relevant PhD.
• A minimum of three years recent relevant research experience within:
  • Demonstrable experimental research in the lab or marine environment
  • Osing to a high degree of competency field instrumentation (ADP’s and ADV’s)
  • Proven experience of post-processing of large data sets using matlab, python or similar. 
  • Independent research and time management.
• A good publication record commensurate with stage of career.

For full job details and essential/desirable criteria please refer to the candidate information link on our website by clicking apply. For further information or assistance contact The Resourcing Team, People and Culture, Queen's University Belfast, via email on resourcing@qub.ac.uk.

Queen’s University Belfast is a driver of innovation based on our talented, multinational workforce. Throughout the University, our academics are collaborating across disciplines to develop new discoveries and insights, working with outside agencies and institutions on projects of international significance. We are connected and networked with strategic partnerships across the world, helping us to expand our impact on wider society locally, nationally and globally. The University is committed to attracting, retaining and developing the best global talent within an environment that enables them to realise their full potential.

We are a leader in gender equality and diversity, and are one of the UK’s most successful universities in the Athena SWAN initiative which promotes gender equality and career progression. We are ranked 1st in the UK for Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, (Innovate UK) 9th in the UK for University facilities (Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey 2018) and 14th in the UK for research quality (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019).

Based in Belfast, a modern capital city, our beautiful campus is surrounded by abundant acres of parkland and is renowned as one of the safest and affordable cities in the UK. The choice of local Schools from pre-nursery upwards are some of the best available, and lovers of the outdoors can enjoy any number of activities from rowing and kayaking to top class golf among many others. We are immensely proud of what our city and our University will offer you.

The University is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all. However, our employment monitoring data tells us that individuals from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities, people with a disability and those who identify as LGBT+ are currently under-represented at the University. Also Protestants are currently under-represented in this category of work. As such, we particularly welcome applications from these individuals.

As you may be aware, Queen’s is recognised as one of the most diverse organisations in Northern Ireland. We are committed to ensuring our workplace is a safe, welcoming and inclusive place to work, which is why we subscribe to Equality Charter Marks such as Stonewall Workplace Equality Index, Diversity Charter Mark NI and Athena SWAN.

It is also why we have established award winning Staff Networks such as PRISM and iRise. These networks provide an opportunity for staff to meet in a friendly, informal way to support each other. More details on all our networks can be found at  https://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/StaffGateway/StaffNetworks/.

Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but, in particular circumstances, may be renewed or made permanent, subject to availability of funding.

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