KTP Research Assistant or Associate in composites induction drum heaters

About the role:

Applications are invited for a full-time 36-month postdoctoral KTP (Knowledge Transfer Partnership) Associate Post, in collaboration between LMK Thermosafe Ltd and Imperial College London.

LMK Thermosafe Ltd in an established, innovation-led SME in industrial heating, serving highly regulated global sectors like energy, pharma and chemicals.

What you would be doing:

The core mission of this KTP project is to create an efficient, lightweight and sustainable induction drum heater, from polymer composites materials.

The role is unique as spans digital simulation, physical prototyping, automated manufacturing, market and IP analysis, and knowledge embedding within the business.

The KTP associate will:

• Lead all composites (mechanical, thermal and electromagnetic) modelling activities, leading to predictive tools to support rapid custom product development.
• Manufacture and test new drum heater prototypes, after selecting appropriate materials.
• Collect simulation and experimental data to train and implement machine learning models that accelerate design and performance prediction.
• Conduct life cycle analysis (LCA)
• Support certification (e.g., ATEX, IECEx standards).

What we are looking for:

Research Associate: Hold a PhD in polymer composites or a closely related discipline, or equivalent research, industrial or commercial experience

Research Assistant: A first / masters degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related discipline.

*Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant.

• Expertise in design, modelling, manufacture and characterisation of continuous fibre reinforced polymer composites
• Creative problem-solving skills and ability to work independently
• Willingness to travel and work both based at the company (LMK Thermosafe Ltd) and Imperial College London.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to deal with a wide range of people.

What we can offer you:

• Shape the digital and manufacturing future of an internationally recognised product.
• Enjoy an accelerated technical and professional development pathway with dual academic and industry mentorship.
• Gain first-hand experience in every stage of the R&D-to-market pipeline—from simulation to customer engagement and commercial roll-out.

Further Information

We are hoping that the successful candidate will start her/his contract as soon as possible. The successful candidate will be supervised jointly by Dr. Emiliano Bilotti and Dr. Vito Tagarielli in the Department of Aeronautics at Imperial College and by Mark Newton and Jamie Evans at LMK Thermosafe Ltd.

If you require any further details on the role please contact: Emiliano Bilotti – e.bilotti@imperial.ac.uk.                                                            

Please note that job descriptions are not exhaustive, and you may be asked to take on additional duties that align with the key responsibilities mentioned above.

If you encounter any technical issues while applying online, please don't hesitate to email us at support.jobs@imperial.ac.uk. We're here to help.

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