Durham University
Research Assistant
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Research Assistant in Fuel Slippage and Fugitive Emissions
The Department of Engineering at Durham University is highly ranked in the UK with an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching, research, and employability of our students. Ranked 21st in REF2021 in terms of grade point average, the Engineering Department has been ranked in 6th position by the Guardian University Guide 2026, 7th by the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 and 24th globally in the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026.
The Role
The Department seeks to appoint a 12-month Grade 6 Research Assistant in fuel slippage and fugitive emissions to contribute to the current active research environment. We welcome applications from candidates with experience and expertise in marine propulsion systems, combustion engines, fuel storage and handling systems, modelling, and life cycle assessment of fuels. This post offers an exciting opportunity to make an important contribution to the development of the Department’s research, while providing excellent opportunities to develop your career within an ambitious and progressive institution.
The position is funded within the UK Clean Maritime Research Hub with financial support from the Department for Transport and Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to support policy-driven research on life cycle greenhouse gas intensity of marine fuels. The successful candidate will be line-managed by Professor Tony Roskilly. The candidate will work closely with the project team to deliver high-quality research outputs. The candidate will be responsible for completing assigned project tasks on time, within budget and in line with the project objectives.
Responsibilities
- Understand and convey information which needs careful explanation to the team or group of people through presentations, discussions and meetings which contribute to the production of research reports and publications.
- Write up results of research work, present information on research progress and outcomes to bodies supervising research in a clear and accurate manner.
- Analyse or undertake basic research by deciding how best to apply existing methodology according to overall context and objectives.
- Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and offering creative or innovative solutions.
- Liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.
- Contribute to the planning of research projects.
- Assist in contributing to support student projects on the use of research methods and equipment.
- Contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect.
- Engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.
- Engage in continuing professional development by attending relevant training and development courses.
- Any other reasonable duties.
Working at Durham
You’ll receive 27 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 39 days. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance.
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We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
Our family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.
Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Durham University is committed to equality, diversity, inclusion, and values. Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive.
We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our workforce including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
Contact Information
Department contact for academic-related enquiries: Professor Tony Roskilly: Anthony.p.roskilly@durham.ac.uk
Contact information for technical difficulties when submitting your application: If you encounter technical difficulties when using the online application form, we prefer you send enquiries by email. Please send your name along with a brief description of the problem you’re experiencing to e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk.
Get help with your application
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Alternatively, you may call 0191 334 6801 from the UK, or +44 191 334 6801 from outside the UK. This number operates during the hours of 09.00 and 17.00 Monday to Friday, UK time. We will normally respond within one working day (Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays).
How to Apply
To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification below. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.
While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.
Submitting your application: We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.
What to Submit: All applicants are asked to submit:
- A CV
- A covering letter which details your experience, skills and achievements in meeting (or the potential to meet) the criteria set out below.
We will notify you on the status of your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails.
Next Steps: Short-listed candidates will be invited to the University, either virtually or in-person and will have the opportunity to meet key members of the Department. The assessment for the post will include a presentation to the interview panel followed by an interview.
In the event that you are unable to attend in person on the date offered, it may not be possible to offer you an interview on an alternative date.
Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.
When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
- A good first degree in engineering, physical science, environmental science, or another relevant quantitative discipline.
- A master's in engineering or a related subject.
- Experience in research and analysis of combustion engines, marine propulsion systems, and methane-based fuels, with a strong understanding of their operational performance, emissions characteristics, and decarbonization pathways within the maritime sector.
- Demonstrable ability to undertake techno-economic analysis of maritime technologies and energy systems, including the assessment of technical performance, costs, deployment barriers, and commercial viability.
- Knowledge and experience in conducting life cycle assessment (LCA) of marine fuels, propulsion technologies, or wider maritime systems, including quantifying greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions and evaluating the environmental impacts of a relevant system.
- Demonstrable experience in numerical modelling, data analysis and process simulation using relevant computational tools, programming languages (e.g. MATLAB) and professional software
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