Salary

Research Assistant: £32,546 to £34,132 per annum

Research Associate: £35,116 to £38,249 per annum

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits . We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 28 July 2025

The Role

We are seeking to appoint a talented and enthusiastic Research Assistant or Research Associate with experience in testing and studying electrochemical system (e.g. Electrolysers) to join our group in studying power intermittency impact on various water electrolyser materials and technologies. The candidate will be joining a team of researchers across five institutes working on 5 year programme grant Ocean Refuel.

Ocean Renewable Energy Fuels project will explore ways of converting ocean energy into fuels including hydrogen and ammonia for use in heating, energy storage and difficult to decarbonise transport applications.

As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of research role profiles. These profiles set out firstly the generic competences and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and secondly the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.

Electrochemical Engineering group at School of Engineering is recognised as world leading with expertise focusing on electrochemical energy conversion and storage.

Prof. Mohamed Mamlouk has long track record and international standing in hydrogen research. You will be working with additional PDRAs (electrocatalyst, membrane and electrode modelling) at Newcastle on the project and closely with project partners universities. At Newcastle, you will be part of multiplanetary international teams of over 15 researchers in area of Electrochemical Engineering with access to state-of- the-art facilities.

For more information on Ocean Refuel, please visit https://www.oceanrefuel.ac.uk/

For informal enquiries about this role, please contact Mohamed Mamlouk https://www.ncl.ac.uk/engineering/staff/profile/mohamedmamlouk.html

For more information on the School of Engineering please visit

https://www.ncl.ac.uk/engineering/

This is a full time role (37 hours per week) and is fixed term for a duration of up to 36 months.

To Apply, please complete the online application form and attached a copy of your CV and a covering letter (no more than 2 pages). The cover letter must explain how you meet the Knowledge, Skills and Experience criteria detailed below.

Key Accountabilities

Lead testing of electrolyser components developed by group members and collaborators (membrane, electrocatalyst and other cell components)
Work closely with other researchers on the project within the group and consortium to share information and data to optimise and validate models to ensure high efficiency and performance of the overall integrated system
Manufacture membrane electrode assemblies for electrolysis cells
Operate, modify or build electrolyser test system including balance of plant to study electrolyser system
Able to assemble and test electrolyser cells and stacks against various water purity feeds and analyse product gas purity
Study system dynamic response and impact on performance from variation in input power dynamics
Analyse performance data and identify constrains and recommendations
Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and in time develop own research objectives and proposals for funding
Support PhD and Master students during their research projects. Supervise and provide advice to junior staff and researchers on mathematical modelling practice
Produce regular reports and presentations on progress to the research project academic supervisors
Interacting with academic members and industrial members of the project partners, providing suitable paper, electronic and oral reporting

Knowledge, Skills And Experience

Experience of research in testing and studying electrochemical systems and components (e.g. electrocatalyst)
Demonstrable subject knowledge in electrochemistry and various electrochemical testing techniques
Experience in operating or modifying electrolyser system or similar chemical or electrochemical systems
Experience in assembly and testing of electrolyser cell or stacks or similar systems
High level of analytical and problem solving capacity
Ability to communicate complex information (verbally and written) with clarity and to encourage the commitment of others
Ability to design and prepare professional reports and present findings to industrial and academic project partners at conferences and project meetings and write high quality scientific publications
Ability and experience of supervision of junior staff, postgraduate and undergraduate research projects

Desirable

Experience in electrocatalyst synthesis and characterisation
Experience in electrolyser membrane electrode assemblies and working with stacks
Experience in balance of plant

Attributes and Behaviour

Excellent written and oral communication skills
Professional approach with a demonstrable commitment to dignity and respect in the workplace
Demonstrated interpersonal skills with the general public and external stakeholders and the ability to interact with people from different disciplines
Good project organizational skills and the ability to work to strict deadlines
Monitor and, where appropriate, manage research resources (e.g. time, finance, laboratory space, equipment, computing time) effectively
Ability to work in a diverse team but also independently. Contributing to the development of effective and mutually supportive working relationships and practices
Play a major part in the dissemination of individual or team-based research outputs
Ensure intellectual rigour and adherence to ethical standards in the research for which they are responsible
Assist colleagues in interpretation of their data, to manage competing priorities, and to develop their research skills
Ensure that knowledge and methodological/technical skills in their own, and related, areas of scholarship are extended and inform research activities

Qualifications

Essential for Research Assistant post:

Working towards or nearing completion of a PhD (within 3 months max) in chemistry, materials science, electrochemical /chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a closely related discipline

Essential For Research Associate Post

A fully completed and awarded PhD in chemistry, materials science, electrochemical /chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a closely related discipline

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.

Requisition ID: 28233

Newcastle University

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