Research Fellow in Climate Impact of Future Aircraft Technology
Salary: Grade 7 (£38,205 – £45,585 p.a. depending on experience)
This role will be based on the University of Leeds campus. There is scope for it to be undertaken in a hybrid manner. We are also open to discussing flexible working arrangements.
Are you an ambitious researcher looking for your next challenge? Do you have a background in atmospheric science? Do you want to further your career in one of the world’s leading climate-research groups?
You will join a team of climate and atmospheric scientists at the University of Leeds to work on two complementary projects funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and Department for Transport (DfT) research programme “Jet zero: Aviation’s non-CO2 impacts on the climate”. You will work with Dr Alex Rap, Prof Amanda Maycock and Prof Piers Forster, employing the SOCRATES radiative transfer scheme and line-by-line models to quantify the contrail radiative forcing from climate-optimised aircraft designs and alternative fuels. You will also collaborate closely with the other researchers involved in the projects at the University of Southampton, Imperial College London, and University College London, as well as with our project partners Airbus and Rolls-Royce.
The ‘Contrail Assessment of Future Aircraft and Propulsion Architectures’ project is a collaboration between research groups at the University of Southampton and the University of Leeds. The overarching aim of the project is to assess the contrail climate impact of future low-CO2 aircraft by incorporating rigorous analysis of turbulence/microphysics interactions into climate-optimised aircraft design. The ‘Contrails from SAF and H2 combustion; from lab experiments to global mitigation policy’ is a partnership between Imperial College London, University College London and the University of Leeds. The aim of the project is to assess the impact of alternative aircraft fuels (sustainable aviation fuels, SAF, and hydrogen) on contrail formation and radiative forcing and model the feedback arising from the different aviation climate impacts on future aviation policy.
You will have, or be close to obtaining, a PhD in the field of Atmospheric Science (or a closely related field). You will have knowledge of atmospheric and/or climate modelling and evidence of a strong commitment to publishing scientific results at an international level. Experience of radiative transfer modelling and quantifying aviation climate impacts are desirable.
Please note that this post may be suitable for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route but first-time applicants might need to qualify for salary concessions. For more information please visit: www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.
For research and academic posts, we will consider eligibility under the Global Talent visa. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/global-talent
What we offer in return
● 26 days holiday plus approx.16 Bank Holidays/days that the University is closed by custom (including Christmas) – That’s 42 days a year!
● Generous pension scheme plus life assurance– the University contributes 14.5% of salary.
● Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership options at The Edge, the University’s state-of-the-art Campus gym, with a pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit, and sports halls.
● Personal Development: Access to courses run by NCAS and the University’s Organisational Development & Professional Learning team.
● Access to on-site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes are also available.
And much more!
If you are looking for an exciting and varied role where you will be able to develop your skills within a supportive team environment, apply today.
To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact:
Dr Alex Rap, Associate Professor in Atmospheric Science
Email: a.rap@leeds.ac.uk
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