Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Turbine Aerothermal Research

Location: The Department of Engineering Science, The Oxford Thermofluids Institute, Southwell Building, Osney Mead, Oxford, OX2 0ES

About the role

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Assistant to join the Oxford Turbine Research Facility group in the Department of Engineering Science. You will undertake experimental research into turbine rim-sealing technologies, working on the Oxford Rotor Facility in collaboration with Rolls-Royce.

The research will build on the group’s previous work investigating rotationally and pressure-driven ingestion and the unsteady flow phenomena within turbine rim-seal cavities. You will contribute to the design, commissioning and operation of experiments on a bespoke high-pressure rotating facility and use advanced measurement techniques to investigate the aero-thermal and fluid-dynamic behaviour of turbine rim seals.

You will take responsibility for planning and delivering experimental campaigns, analysing and interpreting data, and communicating results to academic and industrial collaborators. You will also contribute to publications and presentations and provide guidance to junior members of the research group.

About you

You should hold, or be close to completing, a PhD/DPhil in engineering or a closely related discipline, together with relevant experimental research experience. You will have specialist knowledge relevant to high-pressure rotating experimental facilities and/or turbomachinery aero-thermal research.

Experience with advanced instrumentation would be particularly valuable, including high-speed pressure measurement, gas-concentration measurements, pressure-sensitive paint or telemetry systems. You should have strong experimental problem-solving and data-analysis skills and be able to manage your own research activities. Excellent written and oral communication skills are also essential.

How to apply

Applications for this vacancy are to be made online via our e-recruitment system and should include the covering letter/supporting statement (describing how you meet the criteria), a CV, and names of two academic references.

The position is a full-time fixed term post available for 1 year.

The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on Friday 11 September 2026. 

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Prof Paul Beard: paul.beard@eng.ox.ac.uk

Further information can be found at http://www.eng.ox.ac.uk/jobs/home

Applications are particularly welcome from women and black and minority ethnic candidates who are under-represented in academic posts in Oxford. The Department is committed to equality and valuing diversity and holds an Athena Swan Bronze award, highlighting its commitment to promoting gender equality in academia. The University is a Living Wage Employer, holds an Athena Swan Silver Award, an HR Excellence in Research and a Race Equality Charter Bronze Award and is a Stonewall Diversity Champion. Our staff and students come from all over the world, and we seek to create a friendly and inclusive culture. Diversity is positively encouraged, through our EDI Committee, working groups and networks, for example eng.ox.ac.uk/women-in-engineering, as well as a number of family friendly policies.

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