At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a multidisciplinary team to innovate bio-inspired designs for wind turbine blades.
- Company: Northumbria University, a top UK research institution focused on renewable energy.
- Benefits: £75,000 development programme with training, mentoring, and international conference opportunities.
- Other info: Access to advanced facilities and a vibrant interdisciplinary community.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in renewable energy while advancing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: PhD in mechanical/aerospace engineering or related field with expertise in aerodynamics.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Working as part of a supportive multidisciplinary team, you will support the Principal Investigator in delivering research activity on Project WHOWL: Whale- and Owl-Inspired Synergistic Aerodynamic–Aeroacoustic Control for Wind Turbine Blades — a UKRI/EPSRC-funded project starting October 2026. WHOWL is under EPSRC's flagship "Unlocking the Full Potential of Nature-Based Engineering" call. The project investigates, for the first time, the synergistic integration of whale-inspired leading‑edge protuberances and owl-inspired trailing‑edge serrations on wind turbine blades, aiming to break the long‑standing trade‑off between aerodynamic performance and noise emissions. You will work alongside the Principal Investigator at Northumbria University in Newcastle and the Co‑Investigator at the University of Leeds, supported by industry partners (ORE Catapult and WhalePower Corporation) and an international collaboration with West Chester University in the USA.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and parametrise hybrid bio‑inspired aerofoil configurations — translating biological principles into engineering design matrices, and contributing to the development of an open‑source parametric design framework for bio‑inspired wind turbine blades.
- Conduct wind tunnel experimental campaigns including aerodynamic measurements of bio‑inspired aerofoil configurations.
- Develop and run high‑fidelity Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations with associated aeroacoustic analysis.
- Produce high‑quality, peer‑reviewed publications and present at international conferences.
- Coordinate technical engagement with project partners and contribute to dissemination activities.
This is a full‑time 24‑month fixed‑term post starting October 2026.
Development Programme & Benefits
£75,000 ring‑fenced PDRA/Early Career Researcher development programme includes structured technical training in the UK and USA, international conference presentations, industrial mentoring at ORE Catapult, and tailored development in research and project management — providing an exceptional springboard for career progression toward fellowship, faculty positions, or senior roles in industry.
About the Team
This research project is being delivered within the School of Engineering, Physics and Mathematics at Northumbria University, a research‑intensive department whose work in renewable energy, fluid dynamics and aeroacoustics has contributed to Northumbria's top‑25 UK ranking for research power. The project is hosted at the Northumbria University Aerodynamics Laboratory, with access to the University's wind tunnel facility, advanced PIV instrumentation and high‑performance computing resources. WHOWL is a flagship project under Northumbria's Energy Futures multidisciplinary research theme — the University's primary platform for net‑zero research, supporting partnerships with over 30 industrial collaborators across the renewable energy sector. The successful candidate will join a vibrant, inclusive, and supportive interdisciplinary community at the interface of engineering, applied physics, and bio‑inspired design.
About You – Qualifications & Experience
Applicants must hold a PhD (or equivalent experience) in a relevant discipline such as mechanical or aerospace engineering, applied physics, fluid mechanics, or a closely related field, with demonstrable expert knowledge in aerodynamics, experimental fluid mechanics, computational fluid dynamics or aeroacoustics.
Preferred Experience
- Bio‑inspired aerodynamics, wind turbine blade design, and/or aeroacoustics.
- Aerofoil or blade design, including parametric geometry generation and CAD‑based modelling.
- Low‑speed wind tunnel testing, including dynamic stall testing with non‑intrusive flow measurement techniques.
- Unsteady CFD simulations and turbulence modelling.
- A track record of publications in peer‑reviewed journals in fluid mechanics, aerodynamics, aeroacoustics, or renewable energy.
Further information about the requirements of the role is available in the person specification. If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact Dr. Xiang Shen (Principal Investigator) at shaun.shen@northumbria.ac.uk. To apply for this vacancy, please visit the Northumbria Careers site and click.
Postdoctoral Research Associate in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: EDU Passport LLC
Northumbria University offers an exceptional environment for Postdoctoral Research Associates, providing a vibrant and inclusive culture that fosters interdisciplinary collaboration. With access to cutting-edge facilities and a robust development programme worth £75,000, employees benefit from structured training, international exposure, and strong mentorship opportunities, making it an ideal place for career advancement in the field of renewable energy and bio-inspired engineering.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Postdoctoral Research Associate in Newcastle upon Tyne
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