Research Assistant/ Associate in Porous Metal Manufacturing at Newcastle University

• Job Details
• Position: Research Assistant / Associate in Porous Metal Manufacturing
• Working Pattern: Full Time

Salary: Research Assistant £33,951 – £35,608 per annum; Research Associate £36,636 – £38,784 per annum

Overview

Green hydrogen produced by water electrolysis is a key technology for decarbonising energy storage, chemicals and steel production.

The design of porous metal materials at the heart of these devices remains largely unexplored, and new manufacturing approaches are needed to unlock their full potential.

We are seeking an ambitious Postdoctoral Research Associate/Research Assistant to join the Electrochemical Engineering Science Group and work within Dr Daniel Niblett’s team on the five‑year UKRI EPSRC ION‑H2 Fellowship.

The programme combines computational modelling, machine learning, advanced manufacturing and electrolyser testing to develop next‑generation green hydrogen technologies.

You will develop innovative manufacturing routes for structured and stochastic porous metal electrodes and transport layers using additive manufacturing, powder metallurgy, casting, particle sintering and precision machining.

These materials will be characterised and tested in electrolysers using imaging and electrochemical techniques, with opportunities to work with collaborators specialising in advanced X‑ray computed tomography.

This role offers the opportunity to contribute to cutting‑edge research while developing independent research ideas within a supportive and growing team.

The successful candidate will be encouraged to shape aspects of the programme, contribute to future research proposals and develop their own research direction.

The position provides an excellent platform for developing an independent academic or industrial career.

The ION‑H2 programme is part of the Niblett Group and includes direct collaboration and shared resources with the Electrochemical Engineering Science Group led by Professor Mohamed Mamlouk.

The group contributes to several major international projects, including EPSRC Ocean Refuel – Floating offshore wind coupled to hydrogen production, EPSRC Hy PT – AEM electrolyser catalyst modelling, operando X‑ray imaging and membrane development, and ASTERISK – next‑generation AEM membrane development.

The position offers flexible working arrangements and international collaboration with leading groups in porous material manufacturing, imaging, machine learning and electrochemical engineering.

Current collaborators include UNSW Sydney (Australia), Shenzhen University (China), Eindhoven University of Technology, University of Groningen (The Netherlands), SINTEF (Norway) and Nel Hydrogen (USA).

The successful candidate will join a highly collaborative environment with access to expertise spanning electrochemistry, computational modelling, advanced manufacturing and imaging.

There will be opportunities to publish high‑impact research, build international collaborations and contribute to future funding applications.

We recognise that excellent researchers come from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

If this opportunity excites you, we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every requirement listed below.

• Key Accountabilities
• Develop and apply advanced manufacturing methods for porous metal structures, including additive manufacturing, particle sintering, casting and machining.
• Design and fabricate porous electrodes and flow fields for water electrolysers using CAD and manufacturing tools.
• Characterise porous materials and establish structure–property relationships using appropriate imaging and analysis techniques.
• Conduct optical imaging and fluid flow investigations to understand the performance of manufactured structures and designed electrolysers.
• Become trained in electrochemical techniques and apply these to evaluate fabricated materials in electrolyser cells.
• Research Assistant Responsibilities
• Collect, analyse and interpret research data and draw conclusions on the outcomes.
• Co‑ordinate own work with that of others, use problem solving to affect the achievement of research objectives and contribute to the planning of the project(s).
• Present information on research progress and outcomes to a Principal Investigator or groups overseeing the research project.
• Write up results from own research activity and provide input into the research project’s dissemination, in whatever form (report, papers, chapters, books).
• Use research resources (including, where required, laboratories, workshops and specialist equipment) as appropriate.
• Research Associate Responsibilities
• Contribute ideas, including enhancements to the technical or methodological aspects of the project.
• Determine appropriate methodologies for research.
• Assess research findings for the need/scope for further investigations.
• Contribute to the writing up of the research and its dissemination, either through seminar and conference presentations or through publications.
• Present research findings, either at conferences or through publications in reputable outlets appropriate to the discipline.
• Contribute to grant applications submitted by others and develop own research objectives and proposals for funding.

Qualifications

• Research Assistant: Honours degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science or related discipline.
• Research Associate: Ph D in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science or related discipline.
• The Person
• Experience with additive manufacturing or 3D printing technologies (e. g. DLP, FDM etc.) for components, flow cells or porous materials.
• Experience or knowledge of metallurgy manufacturing processes such as machining, wax casting, laser melting, sintering or related fabrication techniques.
• Experience with operating fluid flow cells, microfluidics, electrochemical devices or similar.
• Attention to detail and ability to work at high levels of accuracy.
• Ability to present complex information effectively to a range of audiences.
• Proven ability to analyse data and write‑up results.
• Experience of working collaboratively with colleagues.
• Excellent IT skills in all major office applications.
• Ability to use personal initiative and creativity to solve research problems.
• Awareness of the research environment.
• High level of analytical and problem‑solving capacity.
• Ability to communicate complex information with clarity.
• Experience of presentations at conferences and/or in high quality publications.
• Attributes and Behaviour
• Commitment to working positively as a member of a multi‑skilled research team.
• Ability to negotiate and prioritise multiple, competing responsibilities and to work to deadlines.
• Commitment to continued professional development.
• Understanding of good practice in equality, inclusion and diversity.
• Contact and Application
• For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Daniel Niblett at

Duration of post is 24 months.

Closing date is 07 Aug 2026.

Equal Opportunities

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 hold a Gold Athena Sand 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.

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

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