Reader/Professor of Aerospace Engineering

Contract type: Open Ended

This is an exciting opportunity to join us at a pivotal time. We are launching a new Aerospace Engineering degree, homed within the School of Engineering. The programme builds on the School’s established strengths in fluid dynamics, materials, intelligent sensing, advanced manufacturing and electrical power systems and will be delivered from the new £110 million Stephenson Building in the heart of Newcastle.  The School has a strong and growing focus on digital engineering, autonomy, and AI-enabled systems across engineering disciplines.

The School hosts experimental facilities supporting aerodynamics and fluid mechanics research, including wind tunnel infrastructure, particle image velocimetry (PIV), and hot-wire anemometry, enabling detailed experimental investigation of boundary layer behaviour, flow control, and surface-flow physics. These capabilities can be complemented by engagement with external experimental facilities and collaborators where appropriate.

We are a world class research-intensive university, delivering teaching and learning of the highest quality and playing a major role in the economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Our research community works across disciplines to tackle global challenges in sustainable energy, transport, and advanced manufacturing.

We are seeking to appoint a Reader or Professor who will shape the research direction and curriculum of the Aerospace Engineering programme at Newcastle University. The appointee will play a key role in strengthening the School’s profile in aerospace, expanding interdisciplinary partnerships, and supporting the recruitment and mentoring of academic staff.

We particularly welcome applicants whose work contributes to the future of sustainable aviation, and who bring expertise in areas such as:

• Aerodynamics (computational, experimental or hybrid approaches), propulsion and thermofluid systems for aircraft/spacecraft
• Aircraft systems with an emphasis on sustainability, efficiency, and integration
• Aerospace vehicle dynamics
• Aerospace design, including digital, model-based and systems-level approaches

We also encourage applications that integrate computational modelling, data-driven methods, or artificial intelligence with aerospace engineering. However, applicants with expertise in all areas relevant to aerospace engineering will be considered. This includes emerging areas such as sustainable aviation, autonomous aerial systems, and digitally enabled aerospace engineering.

You will be expected to identify and address expertise gaps in research and teaching, and to lead the development of a holistic programme that equips students to meet the evolving challenges of the aerospace sector.

For an informal conversation contact head of School Daniel Coca, daniel.coca@newcastle.ac.uk 

Expected interview date: 4^th & 5^th June 2026

Applications should consist of a cover letter outlining your contribution to the role and evidence of how you meet the essential criteria along with your CV.

To review the full JD and person specification follow the link to apply here

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