University of Northumbria
Post-doctoral Research Fellow
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ABOUT THE ROLE
This project of "Ice Protection using Slippery Liquid-like Coatings with Integrated Active Methods" is aiming to build a hybrid ice-protection technology for tackling icing issues on aircraft wings, wind turbines and other critical structural surfaces. You will support the principal investigators and co-investigators in Northumbria University at Newcastle and Edinburgh University for delivery of the aim and objectives of such project. You will focus to create a next-generation ice-protection system that combines (1) low ice adhesion coatings for passive protection, and (2) acoustic-wave-based ice removal for mechanical active protection, benchmarked against electrothermal heating for thermal active protection. You will demonstrate the reliable and energy-efficient hybrid approaches work for both anti-icing and de-icing using in-lab and wind tunnel experiments.
The position is a fixed-term, three-year research appointment, starting on 1 Oct 2026. Your work will focus on experimental investigation, technology integration, and performance validation of these hybrid ice-protection systems.
Your Roles in the Project
As a researcher working within a multidisciplinary team in Northumbria University, your primary responsibilities would likely include:
- Development of Hybrid Ice-Protection Systems
You will investigate how advanced active technologies such as acoustic waves can be integrated with slippery liquid-like coatings (provided by collaborators). A key task is to ensure that the coatings work effectively alongside active systems without degrading performance.
- Acoustic Wave Ice Protection
A major part of the project involves development of acoustic wave icing protection technologies. These systems use mechanical vibrations generated by piezoelectric actuators or similar devices to prevent ice crystals from bonding strongly to surfaces and facilitate ice detachment with lower energy consumption. You will also need to benchmark these systems against the conventional active methods such as electrothermal technologies, where electrical energy is converted into heat. The goal is to reduce energy consumption while maintaining effective anti-icing and deicing capability within both laboratory set-up and ice-wind tunnel.
Multidisciplinary Collaboration
You will work alongside researchers from multiple disciplines, including applied physics, engineering, materials science, surface engineering, acoustics and control systems. You will contribute to team meetings, technical reports and publications.
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This Research Project will be delivered within the School of Engineering, Physics and Mathematics, led by Prof. Richard Yongqing Fu, Prof. Hamdi Torun, and Dr. Prashant Agrawal, collaborated with Prof. Glen McHale, Dr. Gary Wells and Prof. Dipa Roy in University of Edinburgh. The candidate will need to work closely with another research fellow in Edinburgh University (who will focus on surface treatments and passive coatings) for achieving the integrated active/passive ice protection system.
You will receive close supervision and training throughout the project, working alongside leading researchers in the field. This experience will strengthen your research profile and help you develop the independence and leadership skills needed to progress your career.
This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 therefore the successful candidate will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Requirements
The applicant should hold a PhD degree in a related field, and have demonstrable specialist expertise in applied physics, engineering, smart materials, microsystem, or acoustic waves, along with strong theoretical and simulation skills.
Further information about the requirements of the role is available in the person specification [https://livenorthumbriaac.sharepoint.com/:w:/s/role-descriptions/IQBwB6gBeyhBTIxI0Tr1Hph3AfG4EUAkHLBxLiL2SfUNP0c?e=IwPam3].
If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact Prof. Richard Fu, email: richard.fu@northumbria.ac.uk [richard.fu@northumbria.ac.uk]
To apply for this vacancy please click 'Apply Now'. Your application should include a cover letter, a CV, and a publication list.
We welcome applications from the UK and across the world. Visit our web pages for details about Relocation Assistance [https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/work-for-us/relocation-assistance/#xd_co_f=OTViZjE5YTAtMGYxMS00MDI2LWIxMjYtNDYxY2M3ZWJkYzQy~].
ABOUT US
Join Northumbria University, a research-intensive institution unlocking potential and changing lives locally and globally. Named Times Higher Education's University of the Year [https://issuu.com/northumbria_university/docs/the_northumbria_award_supplement_updated_e_version?fr=sMWJkYjU3NTE5Njc] in 2022 and Modern University of the Year [https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/news-events/news/times-modern-uni/] in 2025, we rank top 25 in the UK for research power. Discover more about us [https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/].
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With over 37,000 students from over 140 countries, we offer world-leading research, award-winning partnerships, and an outstanding student experience. We empower our exceptional staff, promoting a positive work-life balance and offering great benefits, including excellent pension schemes, flexible working, generous holiday entitlement and more [https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/work-for-us/rewards-and-benefits/].
Our Northumbria Values, co-created by our team, define who we are: Academic Excellence, Innovation, Inclusivity, Collaboration, and Ambition. Our Behaviours shape our work culture: We listen and learn, support one another, respect everyone, trust each other, and are bold.
Based in Newcastle upon Tyne and London, we are an on-campus organisation and offer flexible hours and location where the role allows. We pride ourselves on diversity and inclusivity, holding numerous awards for gender and race equality, disability confidence, and research excellence. We also hold the HR Excellence in Research award for implementing the concordat supporting the career Development of Researchers and are members of the Euraxess [https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/] initiative to deliver information and support to professional researchers. The University has implemented a range of flexible working arrangements, and we are happy to explore candidate requirements as part of the recruitment process.
Apply now and join a community committed to transforming society and the economy. Explore "Our Exceptional People [https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/media/work4/Our%20Exceptional%20People%20Publication%20V6.pdf], Our Values and Behaviours [https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/Work-for-us/Our-Values-Our-Behaviours]" page to learn more about our commitments and see our Privacy Policy [https://northumbria-cdn.azureedge.net/-/media/services/legal/gdpr/pdf/privnot/2025jobapplicantprivacynotice.pdf?modified=20250915114801] for further details.
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