At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead research in control engineering for electrified propulsion systems and teach future engineers.
- Company: Join UCL's Advanced Propulsion Laboratory, a hub for innovative engineering solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, academic freedom, and opportunities for impactful research.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with excellent career development and international research opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of sustainable transport and energy systems through cutting-edge research.
- Qualifications: Strong background in control engineering and experience with electrified systems required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Achieving net zero transport and energy systems depends on more than advances in individual technologies. It requires electrified systems to be intelligently controlled, coordinated, and operated under real-world conditions. Across aerospace, marine, automotive, and energy applications, the challenge is increasingly one of system integration — where electrical, thermal, and energy domains must work together reliably and efficiently at scale.
UCL Mechanical Engineering is seeking to appoint a research‑focused academic at Lecturer or Associate Professor level in Control Engineering for Electrified Propulsion Systems. The successful candidate will join the Advanced Propulsion Laboratory (APL) at UCL East — a multidisciplinary research environment spanning electrified systems, energy technologies, and sustainable transport.
The APL brings together expertise in electrical machines, power electronics, batteries, fuel cells, thermal engineering, and fluid systems, enabling research that links advances in hardware with system‑level intelligence. The successful candidate will contribute to the development of next‑generation electrified technologies through research in intelligent control, electric drives, modelling, optimisation, and real‑time or data‑driven control approaches.
We are seeking candidates with a strong track record in control engineering applied to electrified systems, including electric propulsion, electric drives, or related technologies. You will demonstrate research independence and the ability to develop an internationally recognised research programme addressing challenges associated with performance, efficiency, reliability, and sustainable decarbonisation across transport and energy systems.
We welcome applications from candidates working across interconnected engineering domains, including electrical machines, power electronics, batteries, thermal systems, and integrated energy platforms. Applications are also encouraged from candidates with experience in international research environments or industry‑led R&D.
The role includes undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in control and related areas, together with supervision of doctoral and MSc research projects. The successful candidate will work closely with colleagues across Mechanical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, contributing to collaborative research, industrial engagement, and the future direction of electrified propulsion research at UCL.
For Associate Professor appointments, evidence of sustained excellence across research, teaching, leadership, and externally funded research activity will be expected.
Associate Professor in Control of Electrified Systems in London employer: UK Energy Research Centre
Heriot-Watt University offers an exceptional work environment for those passionate about marine energy, situated in Orkney, a global leader in wave and tidal energy development. With a strong commitment to sustainability and a collaborative culture, employees benefit from opportunities for professional growth through interdisciplinary research and teaching in cutting-edge MSc programmes. Join a vibrant community dedicated to achieving net zero carbon while enhancing social and environmental wellbeing.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Professor in Control of Electrified Systems in London
✨Get Involved in Control Systems Communities
Dive into control systems forums and relevant LinkedIn groups to showcase your expertise. Engage in discussions, answer questions, and share your knowledge—this can help us get noticed by potential employers looking for someone just like you!
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Workshops
Join conferences or workshops specifically tailored to control systems engineering, like the IEEE conference. These events are goldmines for networking with industry leaders and might just lead us to that perfect role at UK Energy Research Centre.
✨Get Practical Experience Through Projects
Start or contribute to projects that highlight your control systems skills. Whether it’s a simulated environment or real-world application, having tangible results will give us a huge edge when chatting with UK Energy Research Centre.
✨Choose Job Boards Wisely
Focus on niche job boards that specialise in engineering roles. Channels like Engineers.co or similar can help ensure that we’re not only applying to random jobs but targeting positions that align perfectly with our control systems engineering skills!
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Professor in Control of Electrified Systems in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Technical Skills:When applying for the Associate Professor in Control of Electrified Systems role, make sure to showcase your technical expertise in control systems. Be specific about the software and programming languages you’ve worked with—mention anything from MATLAB to PLC programming. This will help us see your proficiency in the tools that are essential for the job.
Quantify Your Achievements:In the engineering world, numbers speak volumes! Use your CV to quantify your achievements—whether it’s a percentage improvement in system efficiency or successful project completions under budget. This will not only make your application stand out but also showcase your problem-solving capabilities to us.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Don’t hesitate to get personal in your cover letter! Talk about why you’re passionate about control systems engineering and how your previous experiences have prepared you for this role at UK Energy Research Centre. We want to see your genuine interest and motivation to contribute to our projects.
Professional Documentation:For a full-time role, ensure that your application documents are professional and well-structured. Include a clear CV format and cover letter that highlights key projects or systems you've worked on. Don’t forget to mention any relevant certifications or training that would make you a valuable addition to us at UK Energy Research Centre.
How to prepare for a job interview at UK Energy Research Centre
✨Brush Up on Control Systems Concepts
Make sure we're up to speed with control systems theory—think stability analysis, PID tuning, and state-space representation. Revising these fundamentals will help us answer technical questions more confidently and demonstrate our expertise during the interview.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Simulation Tools
Get hands-on with popular simulation tools like MATLAB/Simulink or LabVIEW. A lot of interviews might include technical assessments or practical tasks to gauge our understanding of system modelling and control design using these tools, so being proficient could really set us apart.
✨Be Ready for Problem-Solving Scenarios
We should expect scenario-based questions where we'll have to solve real-world control system challenges. Practising how to approach problems logically and articulately will help us show our analytical thinking to the interviewer at UK Energy Research Centre.
✨Show Your Passion for Engineering
As this role is full-time, it's crucial we convey our genuine enthusiasm for control systems engineering. Sharing personal projects or experiences where we tackled interesting engineering tasks can illustrate our commitment and eagerness to contribute to the team at UK Energy Research Centre.
