Research Associate in Aircraft-Based Power Electronics and Power Systems Design (Hardware lead) (809881)

FTE: 1 (35 hours/week)

Term: Fixed term (18 months)

The Aero-Electrical Systems Research Team within the Institute for Energy and Environment (InstEE) is looking to recruit a researcher for a lead role in hardware prototyping on new industry facing collaborative projects, undertaking research into the design and validation of power electronic systems in future aerospace platforms for decarbonised and electrified flight. Applicants with strong experience in the design, simulation or experimental development of power electronics and/or power systems for grid/microgrid or vehicular based applications are particularly welcomed.

This post will involve the researcher joining a thriving research team and working collaboratively with leading aerospace industry partners, thus gaining invaluable insight to current sectoral challenges. Mentoring and financial support will be available to accelerate the growth of research areas developed by the post holder, disseminate outputs in leading conferences and journals, and protect and exploit IP. The postholder will lead specific areas of innovation in new power electronics based, power systems for a wide range of future generations of aircraft platforms, driving the attainment of new levels of system resilience, efficiency and emissions performance.

To be considered for this role, you should be educated to a minimum of PhD level in electrical engineering, physical sciences or mathematics; or have significant relevant experience in addition to a relevant degree. You should have a deep knowledge of compact electrical power systems and power electronics design, simulation, control and hardware prototyping. Your application must clearly identify your level of leadership and depth of experience in the design of PCBs for power electronic converters, converter topologies (AC/DC and isolated or non‑isolated DC/DC), gate‑drivers, thermal management, sensor signal conditioning, and EMI filters. Experience with digital control of power electronics using DSPs (such as C2000 or NXP) and FPGAs is highly desirable, as is familiarity with real‑time hardware‑in‑the‑loop testing platforms such as Speedgoat HIL or Opal‑RT. Your core discipline should be evidenced through published research in high quality journals, with demonstrable standards of excellence in delivery. Prior knowledge of aircraft power systems is not essential for this role.

You should have an ability to plan and organise your own research programmes, to ensure successful and timely completion of projects. You should have an ability to work within a team environment and support PhD students in their research. You should have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to listen, engage and persuade, and to present complex information in an accessible way to a range of audiences.

You will have opportunity through this role to have access to excellent research and innovation infrastructures (e.g. Strathclyde’s TIC and ANZIC facilities), and to benefit from Strathclyde’s staff development and training courses. The environment established by these world-class infrastructures and staff supports have enabled the 200+ strong team of InstEE to establish an international reputation for research and innovation in electrical power engineering.

Informal enquiries about the post can be directed to Patrick Norman, Reader (patrick.norman@strath.ac.uk) or Graeme Burt, Professor (graeme.burt@strath.ac.uk).

Formal interviews for this post will be held in mid May 2026.

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