Research Fellow in Impact Icing Science and Engineering

Full time starting salary is £37,337 to £44,906 per annum (potential progression up to £51,298)

If PhD close to completion: Full time starting salary is £28,929 to £33,825 per annum (potential progression up to £39,586)

Location: Cranfield, Bedfordshire

The Centre for Propulsion Engineering is looking to expand its internationally renowned activities with the recruitment of a full-time Research Fellow in Impact Icing Science and Engineering. 

About the Role

The icing team conducts research on ice adhesion, properties, instrumentation, ice protection technologies, and the impact of ice on aerodynamic components. The team collaborates with national and international partners in the aerospace and wind energy sectors. A major focus is experimental research using dedicated icing wind tunnel facilities, including a vertical droplet tunnel, along with fundamental modelling of ice/substrate interactions using molecular dynamics. 

The Research Fellow will carry out icing experiments in Cranfield’s Icing Wind Tunnel (IWT), supporting test campaigns through instrumentation, data analysis, and management. Responsibilities include publishing in leading journals and conferences, and where possible, developing or applying numerical simulation methods relevant to icing science. The fellow is also expected to build an independent research profile and strategy within the field. 

About You

You will hold (or be near completion of) a PhD in aerospace, mechanical engineering, or a related field, with a strong publication record. 

Strong skills in engineering testing and measurements are essential; icing experiment experience is desirable. You must communicate effectively at a technical level and clearly summarise objectives and outcomes. The role suits confident, independent researchers and includes contributing to the Centre’s broader research activities.

The position is based in the Gas Turbine Technology group within the Centre for Propulsion and Thermal Power Engineering. The Centre offers unique icing test facilities and industrial links, supporting research across various technology readiness levels.

UK Security Clearance (BPSS) is required. The successful candidate is expected to start by November 2025.

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.

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 committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role and have been ranked in the Top 30 family friendly employers in the UK by the charity Working Families. 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.

How to apply                                     

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Professor David MacManus, on (E): d.g.macmanus@cranfield.ac.uk

Apply online via the above ‘Apply’ button. For further details contact peoplerecruitment@cranfield.ac.uk quoting 5110.

Closing date: 3 September 2025 

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