Senior Research Associate (Knowledge Exchange Fellow) (For the Roadmapping of Wide and Ultrawide Bandgap Semiconductor Power Devices)

The role

We are seeking a Knowledge Exchange Fellow to join REWIRE, the UKRI‑funded Innovation and Knowledge Centre (IKC) focused on transforming next‑generation high‑voltage power semiconductor technologies.

Working closely with REWIRE’s academics and industry partners across the UK, you will lead the development of a strategic roadmap for wide bandgap (WBG) and ultra‑wide bandgap (UWBG) semiconductor power devices, technologies essential to achieving the UK’s net‑zero ambitions & enabling advances in transport electrification, renewable energy systems, grid infrastructure, and digital technologies.

You will help strengthen the UK’s position in advanced power electronics by connecting engineering innovation with business insight, economic analysis, and policy needs.

Supported by colleagues across the Business School, School of Physics, and the REWIRE network, the role will connect engineering innovation with business insight to shape future research, policy, and industrial practice.

What will you be doing?

You will lead the creation of a technology-focused national roadmap for high‑voltage WBG and UWBG semiconductor devices, drawing together evidence from across academia, industry, and government to identify priorities, challenges, and opportunities.

Your responsibilities will include researching technology, market, and policy trends; analysing the UK’s capabilities relative to international developments; and generating high‑quality outputs for technical, business, policy, and public audiences. You will facilitate knowledge exchange between engineering and business disciplines, ensuring new scientific advances are translated into strategic insights that can guide investment, manufacturing, and policy decisions.

You will work closely with REWIRE’s partners at the Universities of Bristol, Cambridge, and Warwick, building relationships across the UK semiconductor and power electronics ecosystem. You will represent REWIRE at national and international events, contribute to interdisciplinary proposal development, and help foster collaboration among postdoctoral researchers and students.

The role includes essentials administrative tasks relating to project governance, open‑access reporting, data management, and health and safety compliance. 

You should apply if

You have a strong background in either a technical discipline relevant to power electronics (such as physics, engineering, or materials science) or a business‑focused discipline, and you are comfortable working across technical and non‑technical domains turning complex research into actionable insights.

You enjoy working across disciplines, and have experience of collaboration across academia, industry, and government. You have excellent communication skills, the ability to manage your work independently, manage multiple stakeholders, and deliver high‑quality, impactful outputs.

Experience in semiconductor technologies, technology roadmapping, or strategic analysis is desirable but not essential – what matters most is curiosity, initiative, and an entrepreneurial mindset that can connect research with real‑world application.

These are our ideal requirements, but we know some people are less likely to apply for the role unless they are 100% qualified. The University promotes a supportive and empowering culture, please apply if you meet the majority of these competencies.

Additional information

For informal queries about the role please contact: REWIRE Operations Team, rewire-ikc@bristol.ac.uk

Contract type: Fixed-Term until 30/11/2027

Work pattern: 100% time

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on Wednesday 4th March 2026

Interviews will be held in week commencing Monday 23rd March 2026

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