Associate Professor or Lecturer in Control Engineering for Electrified Propulsion Systems in London

Electrification is rapidly reshaping transport and energy systems, yet the transition from promising technologies to reliable, deployable solutions remains far from resolved. Many of the key challenges now sit at the system level, where electrical, thermal, and energy components must operate together under real-world constraints. The ability to intelligently control and optimise these coupled systems is increasingly critical to whether electrified technologies can deliver meaningful impact towards sustainable decarbonisation across transport sectors at scale.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering is seeking to appoint a research-focused academic at the Lecturer or Associate Professor level in intelligent control and optimisation of electrified systems. The successful candidate will contribute to research and teaching aligned with decarbonisation and sustainable engineering of future propulsion, strengthen engagement with industry partners, and expand postgraduate and undergraduate teaching in control engineering, electric machines and drives, and their application to electrified energy and engineering systems.

Within this environment, the Advanced Propulsion Lab (APL) at UCL East provides a platform for addressing the challenges of electrified transport and energy systems at system level. Located in the Marshgate Building on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the APL brings together researchers and students from the UCL Departments of Mechanical Engineering and Chemical Engineering, with the Department of Mechanical Engineering as the lead partner for this recruitment. The APL operates within purpose-built facilities designed for collaborative and experimental research.

The APL integrates expertise in electrical machines, power electronics, batteries and fuel cells with established strengths in thermal engineering and fluid systems, enabling the study of tightly coupled, multi-physics systems under realistic operating conditions. This environment supports research that links advances in hardware with system-level intelligence, allowing control strategies and electric drive technologies to be developed and validated across interacting electrical, thermal, and energy domains. The APL’s interdisciplinary structure positions the successful candidate to define new approaches to how electrified systems are coordinated, operated, and deployed across transport and energy applications.

The laboratory plays a central role in UCL’s activities in sustainable transport across aerospace, marine, and automotive sectors, supporting work that spans fundamental research through system-level validation and real-world application. Within this context, developments in intelligent control and electric drives are central to enabling high-performance, efficient, and reliable next-generation technologies. The successful candidate will work closely with colleagues across these areas, contributing to joint research initiatives, supervising doctoral and MSc projects, and helping to shape teaching that reflects the evolving landscape of electrified propulsion and energy systems.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering is seeking to fill a research-focused position in intelligent control of electric drives and electrified systems at either Associate Professor or Lecturer level. This is equivalent to a United States tenure track Assistant Professor position. We are seeking a highly qualified individual with expertise in applied control systems within electrified energy and engineering applications. This includes areas such as advanced control methodologies, optimisation, dynamic system modelling, electric machines and drives, and real time or data driven control approaches.

The successful candidate must have a demonstrable track record in control engineering applied to electric propulsion, electric drives, or closely related electrified systems. This should include evidence of independent research and innovation, teaching responsibility, and engagement with industry or translational research. They will demonstrate a strong foundation in control theory and its practical implementation, with the ability to translate fundamental research into experimentally validated solutions addressing global challenges such as the sustainable decarbonisation of transport. Their work is expected to engage with interconnected engineering domains, including electrical machines, power electronics, thermal systems, batteries, and integrated energy platforms, while maintaining a clear focus on advancing control and optimisation as a core discipline.

The successful candidate will contribute to the development of next generation electrified technologies across applications including transport, energy, and advanced propulsion, optimised towards increasing energy efficiency and reducing environmental impacts. The appointee will join the Advanced Propulsion Laboratory at UCL East and contribute to a multidisciplinary research environment spanning electrified systems, energy technologies, and sustainable transport. They will be expected to develop an independent research programme, work across and integrate multiple engineering disciplines, crossing traditional subject boundaries, and contribute to teaching in control and related areas within undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

Appointment at Associate Professor or Lecturer level will be determined by the candidate’s experience and track record. For appointment at Associate Professor level, evidence of sustained excellence across research, teaching, and leadership will be required.

We welcome applications from candidates with expertise in Electrical, Mechanical, or Control Engineering, or a related discipline, seeking appointment at Lecturer or Associate Professor level. If you are committed to research, education, and real-world impact in electrified systems, intelligent control, and sustainable engineering, we encourage you to apply.

You will hold a PhD (or equivalent) and demonstrate a strong track record in control engineering applied to electrified systems, including electric propulsion, electric drives, or related technologies. This should be evidenced through high-quality research outputs, experimental or translational activity, funded or fundable research, and clear potential for REF-level impact. We also welcome applicants from international research environments or industry-led R&D, recognising equivalent experience in securing research support, leading innovation programmes, or delivering impactful engineering solutions.

You will demonstrate research independence and innovation, including the ability to develop an independent research programme, secure external funding, lead projects or work packages, and build collaborations with industry or external partners. Applications are welcomed from candidates working across interconnected engineering domains, including electrical machines, power electronics, batteries, thermal systems, and integrated energy platforms.

You will have experience teaching at undergraduate and/or postgraduate level, including module design, delivery, assessment, feedback, and student support, or equivalent responsibilities within an international or research-intensive environment. Evidence of recognised teaching practice, such as FHEA, PGCert HE, or international equivalent, is expected. A track record of supervising and mentoring students, including doctoral and early-career researchers, is essential. You will also demonstrate excellent communication skills, collegiality, and alignment with UCL’s Ways of Working.

While only the essential criteria are required for Lecturer-level applicants, experience aligned with Associate Professor-level criteria will strengthen an application. At Associate Professor level, we are particularly interested in candidates with leadership experience in interdisciplinary or cross-sector collaborations spanning electrified transport, energy systems, and related engineering domains, together with research group, project, or grant management experience. Industrial or translational research experience in control systems or electrified engineering systems, including progression of technology readiness and delivery of real-world solutions, is highly desirable.

We also welcome evidence of engagement with industry, government, or policy stakeholders contributing to research impact and external recognition. Experience in consultancy, CPD delivery, knowledge exchange, or collaboration with industry or non-academic partners will further strengthen an application.

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays, and 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Immigration loan
• Relocation scheme for certain posts
• On-Site nursery
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance

This hybrid post is primarily based at UCL East, with collaboration expected at the Bloomsbury campus. The salary for the Lecturer (Grade 8) role is 54,931–62,903 per annum, including London allowance. For the Associate Professor (Grade 9) role, the salary is 68,284–74,166 per annum, including London allowance. UCL supports academic consultancy and external engagement with industry partners. A relocation supplement of up to 10,000 may be payable where relocation is required from within the UK. A relocation supplement of 20,000 will be paid to those relocating from outside the UK. Please indicate clearly whether you are applying for Grade 8 or Grade 9.

To apply, please upload:

• CV
• Publication list with your five most significant publications and a short statement (max. 100 words each) outlining their significance
• Summary of teaching experience (max. 1,000 words)
• Five-year research strategy (max. 1,000 words)
• Statement addressing the selection criteria (max. 1,000 words)

As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women. Our department holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality.