Research Associate in Advanced Electric Machines (Fixed Term)

We are seeking a Research Associate to join our European funded project, EM-TECH, developing a highly novel electric machine concept featuring reconfigurable windings. 

The project will develop new electric machine technology for automotive traction applications including advances in thermal management, sensing improvements and improved control. The University of Bath’s involvement is the design and control of a mechanical (mechatronic) switching device which can reconfigure the phase windings of a machine during operation, creating a similar effect to having 2 gears (“eGear”). 

You will lead the test and analysis of the prototype winding-reconfiguration device's performance, and also provide leadership on understanding the benefits which can be achieved using the technology. A good balance of theoretical understanding and practical experimental experience is therefore crucial. 

Your leadership of the hardware development will involve overseeing validation through to full-power testing (~150kW) on an e-machine dynamometer at IAAPS, identifying and resolving issues along the way with the support of the Design Engineer. You will need to develop calibrations for the inverter to run the motor in its 2 configurations and implement a supervisory controller to control the eGear solenoid actuator and manage the transition from one configuration to the other. Your leadership on theoretical understanding will include analysis of the switch and electric machine losses to understand the net benefit offered by the system, and generalisation of this to reveal which applications might benefit most.

The role will also involve co-supervision of PhD, MSc and undergraduate students undertaking research in electric propulsion systems.

This position is offered full time, fixed term until December 2025. For an informal discussion about this role, please contact Dr Chris Vagg at [email protected] . Please ensure you submit your application through our website. 

Our ideal candidate will have:

• A PhD, or equivalent professional qualification, in a subject area of direct relevance for the project
• A broad interest in electric machine design, optimisation and control
• Applied experience in electric motor testing, calibration and/or optimisation, ideally working with high voltage and/or high power traction motors
• Project management and technical communication skills

You will have the attributes to develop into a kind and culturally aware leader who fosters an environment where every individual is valued and respected, regardless of their background or identity. You will proactively seek out diverse perspectives, recognizing the richness and creativity this brings to decision-making and problem-solving. You will remain optimistic in the face of challenges, seeing them as opportunities for growth and innovation.

You will understand that change is inevitable and necessary, actively encouraging those around you to adapt and evolve. By promoting a culture of openness and inclusivity, coupled with a willingness to listen as well as a readiness to embrace change, you will contribute profoundly to a dynamic and empowered team that can thrive in today's rapidly changing world.

This project is in collaboration with 10 partners from across Europe and will also involve working with the IAAPS research team. The successful applicant will be predominantly based in Bath. The position will require travel to mainland Europe to work with industrial and academic partners, to fulfil Bath’s role in the EM-TECH project and build new collaborations. It will also require several months working at the IAAPS Ltd site in Bristol to oversee experimental work. The wider IAAPS research community is a thriving group of over 12 academics, 20 post-doctoral researchers and 50 PhD research students. 

For an overview of the project, please view the video linked here . 

What we can offer you:

Find out more about our benefits .

We consider ourselves to be an inclusive university, where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award . We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students, so we encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on our teams. 

We are very proud to be an autism friendly university and are an accredited Disability Confident Leader; committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff .

Find out from our staff what makes the University of Bath a great place to work. Follow us @UniofBath and @UniofBathJobs on Twitter for more information.

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We are constantly seeking to reduce the unconscious bias that enters any assessment process, with the goal of creating an inclusive and equal assessment process. To support this, personal details will be removed from application forms at the initial shortlisting stage.