Research Associate in Innovative Contoured Nozzles for Cold Spraying High-performance Materials

Location: Hybrid Working

Vacancy terms: Part-time (29 hours per week) and fixed-term until 30 June 2026

Hours per week: 29

About the role

Join the University of Leicester’s School of Engineering as a Research Associate in a cutting-edge international project focused on cold spraying high-performance materials. This part-time (0.8 FTE) fixed-term role until June 2026 offers the opportunity to contribute to the “US-UK joint research in innovative contoured nozzles” initiative.

You’ll apply the Zavalan and Rona (2023) nozzle design workflow to optimize nozzle shapes for the VRC Gen III/IV cold spray systems. Using advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics and Dispersed Particle Modelling in ANSYS Fluent, you’ll lead parametric shape optimization through automated processes involving Matlab, FORTRAN90, ICEMCFD, and Linux scripting on high-performance computing platforms.

International collaboration is key—twice during the project, you’ll travel to the USA for delivering, as instructor, hands-on demonstrations and training at the funder’s premises. You’ll also contribute to publications, present at conferences, and support the development of future research bids.

About you

You’re a motivated and forward-thinking researcher with a PhD (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline and a passion for multi-disciplinary collaboration. Your expertise spans compressible aerodynamics, powder technology, computer-based optimisation, and numerical modelling—making you ideally suited to tackle complex challenges in advanced manufacturing.

You’ve worked closely with major governmental agencies to push the boundaries of high-performance metallic coatings, and you’re eager to introduce innovative, environmentally sustainable powder spray processes that align with global sustainability goals.

Your technical toolkit includes modelling particle-laden compressible jets, CFD, and the Methods of Characteristics for aerodynamic design. You’re confident navigating high-performance computing environments and integrating tools like Matlab, FORTRAN90, and ANSYS Fluent into automated workflows.

You’re also a natural collaborator—ready to build an international network through one or two short academic visits to the USA, where you’ll engage with global experts and contribute to knowledge exchange. Whether working independently or as part of a team, you bring clarity, curiosity, and commitment to everything you do.

Additional information

Informal enquiries are welcome and should be made to Dr Aldo Rona, Associate Professor Fluid Dynamics and Turbomachinery at aldo.rona@le.ac.uk or (0116) 2522510.

As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to professional development, this role will also be considered on a seconded basis for existing staff members. Please ensure this is discussed with your line manager prior to applying.  

The University of Leicester has been changing the world, and changing people’s lives, for 100 years. When you join us, you’ll become part of a community of Citizens of Change, which includes not only our staff and our current students but also thousands of Leicester graduates around the world. 

As a diverse and forward-thinking employer, we embed the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion into everything we do. That includes not just our core missions of teaching and research, but also our support for staff, students and our local community through our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusive through our values of Inspiring, Impactful and Inclusive. 

We’re committed to the wellbeing of all our staff and to the sustainability of our environment, on our campus and beyond. We offer a competitive salary package, excellent pension scheme and a generous annual leave allowance, along with opportunities to develop your career in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Advert closes midnight on: 02 September 2025 

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