Postdoctoral Research Associate in Experimental Transonic/High-Speed Aerodynamics

About the Role

The Postdoctoral Research Associate in Experimental Transonic Aerodynamics will support a 20‑month programme investigating the onset and characteristics of transonic shock buffet on laminar‑flow aircraft wings. Funded by the Royal Society International Collaboration Award and delivered with Nagoya University, the role is highly hands‑on in the Whitehead Aeronautical Laboratory and involves experimental research, analysis, dissemination, and collaboration across the project team.

About You

You will hold, or be close to completing, a PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related discipline, with a strong background in high‑speed or compressible aerodynamics. A good understanding of transonic flow physics and/or experimental aerodynamics is essential.

You will have experience in wind tunnel testing (preferably at high speed), including experimental design, setup, and execution. Experience with advanced instrumentation, flow‑visualisation techniques, or unsteady aerodynamic measurements, and the ability to analyse aerodynamic data and link results to underlying flow physics, would be advantageous.

You should demonstrate strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, a record of high‑quality research outputs, and proficiency in scientific programming, with familiarity in data acquisition or signal processing being desirable.

Strong communication and teamwork skills are essential, as the role involves collaboration with colleagues at Queen Mary University of London, Nagoya University, and JAXA. You should be able to work independently, manage your time effectively, and contribute positively to a collaborative research environment.

About the School/Department/Institute/Project

The School of Engineering and Materials Science (SEMS) is a large, research‑intensive School within the Faculty of Science and Engineering, offering a dynamic and interdisciplinary research environment. SEMS is ranked 7th overall in the UK for research excellence in REF2021 and 2nd nationally for world‑leading research outputs.

With over £35 million invested in recent years, the School benefits from extensive state‑of‑the‑art experimental and computational facilities. The postholder will be based in the Whitehead Aeronautics Laboratory, which has received more than £300k of recent investment, significantly enhancing its high‑speed experimental capabilities. Facilities include advanced optical diagnostics and a substantially upgraded blowdown wind tunnel, providing an excellent platform for high‑speed and unsteady aerodynamics research.

About Queen Mary

At Queen Mary University of London, we believe that a diversity of ideas helps us achieve the previously unthinkable.

Throughout our history, we’ve fostered social justice and improved lives through academic excellence. And we continue to live and breathe this spirit today, not because it’s simply ‘the right thing to do’ but for what it helps us achieve and the intellectual brilliance it delivers.

We continue to embrace diversity of thought and opinion in everything we do, in the belief that when views collide, disciplines interact, and perspectives intersect, truly original thought takes form.

Benefits

We offer competitive salaries, access to a generous pension scheme, 30 days’ leave per annum (pro-rata for part-time/fixed-term), a season ticket loan scheme and access to a comprehensive range of personal and professional development opportunities. In addition, we offer a range of work life balance and family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, and campus facilities.

Queen Mary’s commitment to our diverse and inclusive community is embedded in our appointments processes. Reasonable adjustments will be made at each stage of the recruitment process for any candidate with a disability. We are open to considering applications from candidates wishing to work flexibly.

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