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 For 14 Months
Salary Research Assistant: Salary level 4 – range £25,110 to £28,763 per annum with potential progression to £35,951 per annum. Research Fellow: Salary level 5 – range £33,809 to £37,684 per annum with potential progression to £47,105 per annum
Apply by 18/07/2022

Role Description

About the Role

This post will be contributing to advancing the frontier research in high-fidelity rotorcraft modelling and simulation for certification, within the 3-Year EU CleanSky2-funded project (extended to April 2023). Your role will focus on using a System Identification approach, to explore the fidelity of existing rotorcraft simulation models provided by the industrial player and to produce a rational, physics-based approach to improve the model quality appropriate for certification.

About You

You will be educated to doctoral level with a PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related subject (or close to completion).  In addition to the knowledge required, you will have a strong track record in the modelling and simulation of rotorcraft systems, using system identification tools on flight test data.

You will be organised and proficient at planning project deliverables, enjoy giving presentations, and be able to assist in project integration workshops and other meetings.  With excellent communication skills, you will be a good team player, and have the ability to cope with pressure. Excellent mathematical and numerical research skills are also important skills for this post along with the ability to demonstrate self-motivation, perseverance, and initiative.

About Us

As a specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield’s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships are creating leaders in technology and management globally. Learn more about Cranfield and our unique impact here.

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.  Cranfield Aerospace’s six centres are the powerhouses of our world class research, driving technological and conceptual advances in aeronautics, propulsion engineering, cyber-physical systems and intelligent automation. Through the strong links with industry built over the past 70 years, we focus on defining and delivering the aircraft, airport and airspace management of the future and are the only university in Europe with our own airport and runway.  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.  Find out more about our work here About Aerospace.

Our Values and Commitments

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. We are a Disability Confident Employer and proud members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme. We are also committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role. Find out more about our key commitments to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Flexible Working here.

Our equal opportunities and diversity monitoring has shown that women are currently underrepresented within SATM and so we actively encourage applications from eligible female candidates.  To further demonstrate our commitment to progressing gender diversity in STEM, we hold an Institutional Athena SWAN Bronze award, are members of Working Families; sponsors of International Women in Engineering Day and signatories of the Women in Defence and Women in Aerospace and Aviation Charters.  Find out more about our key commitments to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Flexible Working here.

Working Arrangements

Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides many staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners.

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Dr Linghai Lu Senior Lecturer in Flight Dynamics, Simulation & Control, (E): l.lu@cranfield.ac.uk