Research Assistant - Marie Curie Doctoral Candidate (Positive Displacement Compressors)

City St George’s, University of London is the University of business, practice and the professions and brings together the expertise and excellence of City, University of London and St George’s, University of London into one institution. The combined university is now one of the largest higher education destinations for London students, combining a breadth of disciplines across health, business, policy, law, creativity, communications, science and technology. Our students are at the heart of everything that we do, and we are committed to supporting them to pursue their career and personal ambitions.

Our research is engaged, at the frontier of practice and has a positive impact on the world around us.

Background

City St George’s, University of London is recruiting a Doctoral Candidate to join the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Industrial Doctoral Network HeatMinds, a Horizon Europe-funded proj ect focused on industrial heat decarbonisation through innovative high-temperature heat pump technologies. The successful candidate will undertake a PhD project entitled “Expanding the Operating Envelope of Positive Displacement Compressors”, contributing to the development of efficient and reliable heat pump systems capable of upgrading low-grade waste heat for industrial applications.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will conduct high-quality doctoral research on positive displacement compressor technologies for industrial high-temperature heat pumps. Responsibilities include developing and validating compressor models, analysing performance and optimisation strategies, contributing to project deliverables and publications, presenting research at conferences, engaging in dissemination and outreach activities, collaborating with academic and industrial partners across Europe, participating in network-wide training events, and supporti ng the achievement of project milestones and objectives.

Person Specification

Applicants should hold a first degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering, Energy Engineering, Thermofluids, or a related discipline. Candidates should demonstrate knowledge of thermodynamics, heat transfer and fluid mechanics, with experience in modelling, simulation or data analysis desirable. Strong analytical, communication and teamwork skills are essential, together with the ability to work independently, engage with international collaborators, and contribute positively to a multidisciplinary research environment.

How to apply:

Applicants should include in their online application:

• A letter of motivation
• Curriculum vitae, maximum of three pages
• Copy of transcripts and of their degree, and a copy of a thesis or any other publication (if available). Please upload as one document if possible.

Closing date for applications: 25 October 2026 at 11:59pm

Please note that applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the United Kingdom for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their date of recruitment.

For more information, please refer to the job description.

The selection process will involve an interview and a presentation. Further details will be confirmed at the interview stage.

City St George’s offers a sector-leading salary, pension scheme and benefits including a comprehensive package of staff training and development.

City St George’s, University of London is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in all its activities, processes, and culture for our whole community, including staff, students and visitors.

We welcome applications regardless of age, caring responsibilities, disability, gender ident ity, gender reassignment, marital status, nationality, pregnancy, race and ethnic origin, religion and belief, sex, sexual orientation and socio-economic background. City St George’s operates a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants.

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