Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Ice Deposition

Location: The Oxford Thermofluids Institute, Southwell Building, Osney Mead, Oxford, OX2 0ES

About the role

We are seeking a full-time Post Doctoral Research Assistant to join the Oxford Particles Research Group at the Department of Engineering Science (based at the Osney Thermofluids Institute). The position is fixed term for 36 months and will provide opportunities to work on aircraft icing modelling and experimental campaigns.

Ice crystal icing is one of the least well characterised risks to aircraft engines. The Particles Research Group works on icing problems closely with industrial partners, is currently developing a new altitude icing wind tunnel and entering a new EPSRC programme grant with partners across the UK to facilitate the use of hydrogen for aviation, and in particular the icing vulnerability of heat exchangers and parts of the airframe. You will work to generate high fidelity models of ice crystal icing accretion and shedding, verifying tools using the wealth of unique experimental validation data generated by researchers at the Oxford Thermofluids Institute. The tools will be applied to real turbomachinery components and subsystems required to facilitate the use of hydrogen in future aircraft. You will work closely with collaborators from partner academic institutions in the programme grant and with supporting industrial partners. 

About you

You should possess a university PhD degree in mechanical engineering or a similar discipline, preferably with experience of mixed phase numerical or analytical flow modelling for icing. Experience conducting and analysing experimental data is desirable. You should have a record of academic publications in the field and be able to work well within a large team of experienced researcher's, students, technical and support staff.

What we offer

At the university of Oxford your happiness and wellbeing at work is important to us. We have a number of generous benefits including 38 days' annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays and fixed closure days), generous pension schemes and free access to the Oxford colleges. 

How to apply

Applications for this vacancy are to be made online via the above ‘Apply’ button and should include the covering letter/supporting statement (describing how you meet the criteria), a CV, and names of two academic references.

The position is a full-time fixed term post available for 36 months. 

The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on Friday 05 September 2025. 

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Associate Professor David Gillespie: david.gillespie@eng.ox.ac.uk  

For more information about working at the Department, see www.eng.ox.ac.uk/about/work-with-us/

The University of Oxford is committed to equality and valuing diversity. All applicants will be judged on merit, according to the selection criteria.

The Department holds an Athena Swan Bronze award, highlighting its commitment to promoting women in Science, Engineering and Technology.

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