Research Fellow in Control of Vehicles with Advanced Electrified Powertrains

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Mechanical Engineering Sciences
Location:  Guildford
Salary:  £36,024 to £39,347 per annum
Post Type:  Full Time
Closing Date:  23.59 hours BST on Friday 12 April 2024
Interview Date:  To be confirmed
Reference:  013224

The University of Surrey is a global community of ideas and people, dedicated to life-changing education and research. 

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Our culture empowers people to achieve this aim and to collectively, and individually, make a real difference.  

The role

Applications are invited for a Research Fellow position that focuses on designing and developing advanced control algorithms to enhance the energy efficiency and safety of the next generation of electric vehicles and their validation via hardware in the loop testing and advanced simulations. This role also includes modelling and simulating electric vehicles and their components for control-oriented applications and real time implementation of the control solutions.

The position is part of the EM-TECH Horizon Europe project, which focuses on developing control solutions aiming to significantly reduce energy loss and improve vehicle performance leveraging innovative electric machine technology solutions for on-board and in-wheel powertrains. Thanks to the presence of industrial partners and universities from across Europe within the consortium, the project will have the opportunity to test its proposed solutions using an advanced distributed X-in-the-loop testing architecture.

Working under the leadership of Dr Umberto Montanaro, Dr Davide Tavernini and Prof Patrick Gruber, you will be responsible for the day-to-day research tasks in accordance with the project plan. This will include: 

Developing and implementing advanced control algorithms for vehicles with electric powertrains to enhance vehicle performance, safety, energy saving and comfort; 

Supporting advanced simulations and modelling of electric powertrains to optimise efficiency and performance; 

Collaborating with a team of experts in various fields, including electrical/electronic engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer science; 

Participating in project meetings, presenting research findings, and contributing to project reports and publications.

About you

The successful candidate will have a strong background in experimental testing, programming (MATLAB/SIMULINK) and control, and should have a PhD in a relevant discipline such as mechanical, automotive or electrical/electronic engineering. Also, experience in the following areas is highly desirable:

• Control development and implementation, including neural networks 
• Real-time rapid control prototyping systems (e.g., dSPACE)
• Vehicle dynamics control 
• Instrumentation and data-logging
• Digital twins
• Electric powertrains 

Join our dynamic and inclusive team at the Centre for Automotive Engineering within the School of Mechanical Engineering Sciences. We actively seek applicants from all backgrounds, valuing the unique perspectives they bring to our research, which, in turn, leads to innovative solutions. 

Our Centre specialises in cutting-edge research areas, with a particular focus on vehicle dynamics and the control of autonomous systems. Initial contract for the Research Fellow position is set for a duration of 12 months, with extensions subject to thorough performance assessments, availability of project funding, and specific project requirements.

How to apply

To apply, please upload CV and cover letter with your application on the University of Surrey Website. For informal enquiries please contact Dr Umberto Montanaro at [email protected] .

Please note, it is University Policy to offer a starting salary equivalent to Level 3.6 (£34,980) to successful applicants who have been awarded, but are yet to receive, their PhD certificate.  Once the original PhD certificate has been submitted to the local HR Department, the salary will be increased to Level 4.1 (£36,024).