Research Assistant or Research Associate in Mineral Dust Evolution through Aircraft Engines

This is one of two positions being offered by the Dust research group at the University of Manchester for a January 2025 start. The other is for a 3-year Research Associate in Raman Spectroscopic Analysis of Aircraft Engine Deposits.

We invite applications for the position of a Research Assistant (Grade 5) or Research Associate (Grade 6) to join the Dust research group at the University of Manchester to work on a project funded by Rolls-Royce looking at the evolution of mineral dust through aircraft engines and its effect on engine damage.

This post is suitable for anyone who is interested in applying their geological or materials science knowledge to an economically and environmentally significant engineering problem for aviation.

The position is embedded in The DUST Research group at the University of Manchester, which is a multidisciplinary group that focuses on the ingestion of airborne mineral particulate into aircraft engines, and its damaging effect on engine performance as it passes through and interacts with engine hardware.

The aim of the project is to develop a model relating the evolution of mineral dust composition through aircraft engines to the environment in which the aircraft has operated, in order to advance our understanding of the damage that is caused to aircraft along flight paths in different regions of the world.

You should have (or be about to obtain) a PhD or MSc (or equivalent) in Geology, Materials Science or a related discipline, and familiarity in the methods used to determine the mineralogy and/or particle size and shape characteristics of sediments.

This full-time 12-month position is funded by Rolls-Royce. You will be based in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, with regular meetings with collaborators at Rolls-Royce, and will have opportunity to interact with PhD, postdoctoral and academic researchers working on many different aspects of the problems caused by mineral dust ingestion in aircraft engines.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any recruitment enquiries from recruitment agencies should be directed to People.Recruitment@manchester.ac.uk.

Any CV’s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Alison Pawley

Email: alison.pawley@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries:

Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk

Technical support:

https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.