Research Associate in Fluid Power and Control

About the role

We are seeking a Research Associate to take a key role in the design and development of digital hydraulic fluid power technologies and control systems. This role is funded by the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship, investigating Digital Hydraulic Fluid Power Technologies for Decarbonising Off-road Vehicles. 

Hydraulic fluid power has several advantages, such as high power density, compactness, low weight, fast response, and good controllability. However, the current hydraulic control method involves using valves to throttle flow, reduce pressure, and control the speed and force of the load. Although this approach is simple to operate, it is highly energy inefficient, and the average power efficiency of fluid power systems is only about 21%.

This project aims to design, develop and prototype next-generation digital hydraulic technologies and control systems to significantly improve hydraulic energy efficiency, fuel consumption, and CO₂ emissions to decarbonise off-road vehicles for a sustainable and greener future. In addition, there are also opportunities to conduct interdisciplinary research on highly efficient actuation mechanisms, collaborating with colleagues nationally and internationally.

About you

You will be responsible for delivering high-quality research on the topic, including:

• Design and modelling of digital hydraulic fluid power technologies
• Prototyping, validating and evaluating digital hydraulic converters
• Digital fluid power system integration and experimental validations
• Stimulating and creating pathways to impact and disseminate the research outcomes and promote the exploitation of the new technologies

Further information

As a member of Research Staff at the University of Bath, you will be encouraged to take up a minimum of 10 days professional development pro rata per year

A lower grade offer may be made (Grade 6) with comparable reduction in responsibilities and amendment in job title to Research Assistant, if a suitable applicant cannot be found to fill the Grade 7 position. Applicants will need to be within six months of their course completion date and will be promoted to Research Associate once their PhD has been awarded.

This position is offered on a full-time (36.5 hours), fixed-term basis for 24 months.

For informal discussions, please contact Prof Min Pan, m.pan@bath.ac.uk

What we can offer you

We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality & intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students, so we encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.

We are very proud to be an autism friendly university and are an accredited Disability Confident Leader; committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.

• Free counselling services through Health Assured
• Cycle to work scheme
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Staff discount at Team Bath gym
• Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
• Staff discount on language courses
• Generous employer contributory pension schemes
• Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
• Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
• Local discounts & more
• A family-friendly workplace 

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