Research Associate in Raman Spectroscopic Analysis of Aircraft Engine Deposits

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 1-year Research Assistant or Research Associate in Mineral Dust Evolution through Aircraft Engines.

We invite applications for the position of a Research Associate to join the DUST research group at the University of Manchester as part of the “REPLENISH: Repair and Evaluation of aerospace Products LinE side, Near wing, and In Shop” consortium of academic and aerospace industry partners led by Rolls-Royce (RR) and funded by the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI).

The post will involve developing Raman spectroscopic technologies by which the 'health' state of engine components susceptible to atmospheric contaminants can be diagnosed on wing, without the need for a major engine disassembly. Time on wing is currently one of the aerospace industry’s biggest cost drivers.

The post will involve optimising Raman spectroscopic methods to establish the composition of deposits within an engine, including testing a portable Raman spectrometer for on-wing analysis, identifying key accessible locations in an engine to examine deposit evolution through the engine, and exploring the use of Raman spectroscopy to mitigate some of the detrimental effects of ingested contaminants.

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.

You should have (or be about to obtain) a PhD (or equivalent) in geology, materials science or engineering. Experience of working with complex analytical equipment is essential, and familiarity with Raman or other spectroscopic techniques is desirable.

This full-time 3-year position is based in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Manchester. Regular meetings will take place with REPLENISH consortium partners, and you will have the opportunity to interact with other PhD, postdoctoral and academic researchers at the University of Manchester 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: Merren Jones

Email: merren.a.jones@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.