Graduate Research Assistant

College of Engineering, Mathematics & Physical Sciences

The above full-time post is available immediately on a fixed term basis until 31 July 2022.

The University of Exeter is a Russell Group university in the top 200 of universities worldwide. We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, and have achieved a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2017. We have over 22,000 students and 4600 staff from 180 different countries and have been rated the WhatUni2017 International Student Choice. Our research focuses on some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today, with 98% of our research rated as being of international quality in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework. We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students.

The Centre for Future Clean Mobility is leading development of clean mobility technology for vehicles and vessels in many sectors, including maritime, rail, off-highway, construction, defence amongst others.

The post

The College wishes to recruit a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) to support the work of Professor Chris. W. Smith and Mr Brian Lambert at the Centre for Future Clean Mobility (CFCM). The work will focus on developing zero emission powertrain solutions for marine vessels as part of an Innovate UK funded project. The project is to work on collaborative research and developments at CFCM with its industrial partners, which include SMEs and OEMs. The post is available immediately for 12 months. The successful applicant will contribute in developing a simulation model which imposes various real-world duty cycles on zero emission equipment. Further to this you will also work on data capture of duty cycles on real vessels, and within the CFCM facility laboratory on assembly and test of powertrains, including high power batteries and motors. Some work on assembly of prototype powertrains may take place at the premises of the industrial partner Ecomar Propulsion Ltd in Southampton.

The graduate must work closely with the multidisciplinary project team at the CFCM and support its industrial partners in a range of activities. You will work on the design, assembly and test of the zero-emissions powertrains. A good understanding of electrical power systems for vehicles or vessels, or more particularly of hybrid and zero-emissions powertrains is preferable. Regular open discussions between project partners is paramount to the success of your work, as the GRA you will be responsible for contributing to verbal and written reports both to internal and external parties.

About you

The successful applicant will be able to present information on research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information, orally, in writing and electronically and prepare proposals and applications to external bodies.

Applicants will be educated to graduate level or possess an equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study. You should be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes.

What we can offer you

• Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research;
• Support teams that understand the University wide research and teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly
• An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development
• Our Exeter Academic initiative supporting high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career
• A multitude of staff benefits including sector leading benefits around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), Paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay), and a new Fertility Treatment Policy
• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon

For further information please contact Professor Chris W Smith, e-mail [email protected] , phone telephone (01392) 723652 or Mr Brian Lambert, email [email protected] .

The closing date for applications is 28 July 2021.