Job detail for Research Associate

We are seeking a motivated and collaborative Research Associate to develop a first-principles benchmark framework for analysing and optimising power quality and disturbance rejection on the more electric aircraft DC bus. Working with an industry partner, you will take the framework from analytical concept through to a hardware-validated methodology.

You will be responsible for:

• Benchmark framework development – extend and refine the power-frequency capability envelope method (elicitation of maximum sustainable power per frequency band under energy, power, and converter constraints), and the coverage/margin metrics used to assess power quality against mission demand.
• Model generation methodology – develop a methodology for generating reduced-order or behavioural models of the DC bus system directly from time-domain simulation of converter models, so that the frequency-domain capability envelopes can be produced systematically from simulated converter and energy-storage dynamics rather than bespoke derivation for each case.
• Benchmarking methodology – formalise the procedure for benchmarking real or simulated DC bus behaviour against the capability envelopes and mission demand spectrum, including how margin, coverage, and disturbance containment are quantified and reported.
• Hardware development and validation – set up and test a bidirectional converter that can inject harmonic content as a hardware demonstrator, and use it to validate the generated models and benchmarking methodology against measured hardware behaviour.

We welcome candidates who bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and approaches to their work.

About You

We encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You should demonstrate:

Essential Criteria

• A PhD (or thesis submitted) in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Power Electronics, or a closely related discipline.
• A strong background in power electronic converter analysis, modelling, and design, including DC–DC converter topologies and control.
• Proficiency in time-domain circuit/system simulation (e.g. LTspice, PLECS, MATLAB/Simulink, or PSIM) and in deriving models or reduced-order representations from simulation data.
• Familiarity with frequency-domain analysis and signal processing (e.g. FFT, spectral decomposition) as applied to power systems.
• Good written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to report technical work clearly to an industry sponsor, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a research group.

Desirable Criteria

• Hands-on power electronics hardware experience: converter/PCB design, build, and test in a lab environment; experience with bidirectional converters and/or supercapacitor or battery-interfaced converters is a strong advantage.
• Experience with energy storage systems (batteries and/or supercapacitors), including their power-energy trade-offs, and with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) or real-time simulation platforms for power electronic systems.
• Familiarity with more electric aircraft (MEA) power system architectures and relevant aerospace standards.
• Experience with data acquisition, instrumentation, and test automation for power hardware testing.
• A track record of disseminating research through peer-reviewed journal or conference publications.

We value transferable skills and real-world experience as much as formal qualifications.

Our benefits include:

• Generous employer contribution pension
• 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays, along with Christmas closure
• Ride to work and EV car scheme available

For more information, please see University of Manchester Benefits. You can also find information on our Flexible and Hybrid working here.

We are an open place of enquiry and challenge. We embrace and celebrate difference, diversity and debate, and we pride ourselves on being a place of education, learning and community where we are able, within the law, to question and test received wisdom, express new ideas and explore controversial or unpopular topics and opinions. Find out more from our Freedom of Speech Policy.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews

Name: Cheng Zhang

Email Address: cheng.zhang@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries and administrative support

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Applications close at midnight on the closing date.

Further particulars (with person specification) linked below.