Marie Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral Researcher - Mechanical Engineering - 108121 - Grade 8

Position Details 

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK 

Fixed salary of £49,747, additional allowances may be applicable depending on circumstances 

Grade: 8 (Spot)

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to 31 December 2029 

4 x Positions available 

Closing date: 15th November 2026 

This role is also open as an internal secondment opportunity which would need to be agreed by your current line manager. 

Background

To create and disseminate knowledge through initiating and conducting original research and through publication, as appropriate to the disciplinary area. 

The posts are part of SurPhase, a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network funded under Horizon Europe (Grant Agreement No. 101311533) and coordinated by the University of Birmingham.

SurPhase is an international, interdisciplinary and intersectoral doctoral training programme addressing fundamental and applied challenges in phase-change heat transfer. It brings together expertise in thermal sciences, surface engineering, advanced manufacturing, computational modelling, data-driven methods, durability and sustainability.

The University of Birmingham will recruit four Doctoral Candidates, each appointed as a Research Fellow I for 36 months and undertaking an individual doctoral research project within the SurPhase programme. The four University of Birmingham projects broadly cover:

• advanced surface engineering for enhanced flow boiling;
• molecular modelling of phase change at engineered interfaces;
• data-driven design of surfaces for enhanced boiling; and
• durability and sustainability of engineered heat-transfer surfaces.

The postholders will also participate in the network-wide research and training programme and undertake planned research secondments with SurPhase academic and industrial partners. 

Role Summary 

• Initiate and conduct original research which has measurable outcomes and is reflected in a growing national and often incipient international reputation
• Plan, design and co-ordinate research activities and programmes
• Contribute to the development of research strategies
• Publish results of own research
• Supervise PhD students
• Contribute to the Department/School through management/leadership 
• Develop and make substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement activities, widening participation, schools outreach or similar activities at Department/School level or further within the University

Additional SurPhase-specific responsibilities:

• Undertake an individual doctoral research project within the SurPhase MSCA Doctoral Network.
• Design, conduct and analyse research appropriate to the appointed project.
• Contribute to the scientific objectives, milestones and deliverables of SurPhase.
• Work collaboratively with researchers across the academic and industrial consortium.
• Participate in network-wide scientific, transferable-skills and professional-development training.
• Undertake planned international and intersectoral research secondments.
  • Disseminate research through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, network activities and appropriate public-engagement activities.

Main Duties 

To plan and carry out research, using appropriate methodology and techniques.  This may include, where appropriate to the discipline:

• Pursue personal research including developing research ideas and winning support, including financial support
• Plan, publish and/or execute high quality research
• Project manage research activities, and/or supervise other research staff
• Present high quality findings in publications and conference proceedings 
• Develop novel methodologies and techniques appropriate to the type of research being pursued
• Supervise and examine PhD students, both within and out with the University
• Provide expert advice to colleagues and students within discipline
• Contribute to the administration/management of research across the Department/School
• Develop and make substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, , and public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University
• Contribute to some administrative activities within the University, typically relating to research
• Apply knowledge in a way that develops new intellectual understanding *
• Actively manages equality, diversity and inclusion through monitoring and evaluation and actively challenging unacceptable behaviour

* This indicative responsibility may also be included in a research role at a lower grade.

Additional SurPhase-specific duties:

• Undertake research within one of the four University of Birmingham SurPhase Doctoral Candidate projects.
• Plan and execute experimental, computational or data-driven research, as appropriate to the specific project.
• Maintain accurate and reproducible research records and contribute to appropriate research data management and open-science practices.
• Work with SurPhase supervisors, Doctoral Candidates and academic and industrial partners across the network.
• Participate in regular project meetings, network meetings, training schools, workshops and conferences.
• Undertake research secondments at partner organisations in accordance with the SurPhase training programme.
• Prepare research outputs including journal papers, conference contributions, technical reports and project deliverables.
• Complete the academic and research requirements associated with registration for a doctoral degree at the University of Birmingham.
• Contribute to the wider research environment of the School of Engineering.

Person Specification

• Normally, a higher degree relevant to the research area (normally PhD or near completion) or equivalent qualifications

• Extensive research experience and scholarship within subject specialism

• Experience and achievement reflected in a growing reputation 

• Extensive experience and demonstrated success in planning, undertaking and project managing research to deliver high quality results

• Extensive experience of applying and/or developing and devising successful models, techniques and methods

• Extensive experience and achievement in knowledge transfer, enterprise and similar activity

• Experience of championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in own work area

• Ability to monitor and evaluate the extent to which equality and diversity legislation, policies, procedures are applied

• Ability to identify issues with the potential to impact on protected groups and take appropriate action

Informal enquiries to Ali Sadaghiani [email protected] 

View our staff values and behaviours here 

Use of AI in applications: We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview. 

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.