Research Fellow in Uniform Supersonic Flow Computational Fluid Dynamics - School of Chemistry - 106897 - Grade 7

Position Details 

School of Chemistry, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK 

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression once in post to £48,822.

Grade: 7

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to September 2026

Closing date: 4th February 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 contribute to the creation of knowledge by undertaking a specified range of activities within an established research programme and/or specific research project.

Role Summary 

• Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids 

• Operate within area of specialism

• Analyse and interpret research findings and results 

• Contribute to generating funding 

• Contribute to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar

Main Duties 

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.

• Designing, planning, and conducting a programme of investigation, in consultation with Dr Julia Lehman and Dr Greg de Boer

• Lead in designing and optimizing profiles, such as a skimmer or aerofoil design, for sampling a uniform supersonic flow with minimal disruption to the flow characteristics

• Lead in producing CAD designs of the optimized profiles in order for the profile to be manufactured (CNC machined or otherwise)

• Lead in translating the developed code into shareable (user-friendly) code for use by students in the Lehman or de Boer groups in the first instance, and then by a wider scientific community via Github

•  Using a range of computer systems to run fluid flow simulations and optimisation  algorithms, including High Performance Computing architectures 

• Assist and mentor students and research group members in understanding shareable code, CFD outputs, interpretation of data, and optimization of sampling profiles

• Contribute to writing bids for research funding

• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding

• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc

• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline

• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods 

• Undertake management/administration arising from research

• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration

• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader

•  Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews *

• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters *

• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research *

• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines*

• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

* These indicative responsibilities may also be included in a research role at grade 6.

Person Specification

• A PhD (or close to completion) in Engineering, Physics, or closely allied discipline.

•  A strong technical background in computational fluid dynamics is necessary

•  A strong technical background in modelling supersonic flows through a Laval nozzle (convergent-divergent nozzle) into a vacuum chamber

• A understanding of design optimisation algorithms and their use is required

• Knowledge of High Performance Computing systems is necessary

• A strong technical background in translating modelling code into a user-friendly interface for non-specialists to use 

• High level analytical capability

• Ability to communicate complex information clearly

• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones

• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively 

• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes

• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project

• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort

•  Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly

Informal enquiries to Julia Lehman, email: [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.