Imperial College London
JOB DESCRIPTION
Department of Earth Science and Engineering
Job title:
Research Associate
Grade:
Level B, Academic and Research Job Family
Reporting to:
Dr Gregory Offer and Dr Ricardo MartinezBotas
Liaison with:
Academics, Research Staff and Postgraduate
Students, External Academic and Industrial
Partners
Key Working Relationships:
Dr Gregory Offer and Dr Ricardo MartinezBotas, faculty, research associates and
postgraduate students (internal) Liaise with
external collaborators and sponsors (external)
Summary of the post:
Developing the Fundamental Understanding of
Energy Storage Technologies for Ultra Reduced
Emission Vehicles
Job Description
Hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) are far more complex than conventional
vehicles. There are numerous challenges facing the engineer to optimise the
design and choice of system components as well as their control systems. At
the component level there is a need to obtain a better understanding of the
basic science/physics of new subsystems together with issues of their
interconnectivity and overall performance at the system level.
The Fundamental Understanding of Technologies for Ultra Reduced Emission
Vehicles (FUTURE) consortium, led by Loughborough University, will address
the above need for developing tools and methodologies. The consortium is
formed by the Universities of Loughborough, Oxford, Imperial College,
Cranfield and Coventry. A systematic and unified approach towards
component level modelling will be developed, underpinned by a better
understanding of the fundamental science of the essential components of a
FUTURE hybrid electrical vehicle. The essential components will include both
energy storage devices (fuel cells, batteries and ultra-capacitors) and energy
conversion devices (electrical machine drives and power electronics).
All members of the consortia have specific individual roles as well as crossdiscipline roles and interconnected collaborative activities. The multidisciplinary nature of the proposed team will ensure that the outputs and
outcomes of this consortia working in close collaboration with an Industrial
Advisory Committee will deliver research solutions to the HEV issues
identified.
The appointed person will develop the fundamental understanding of
electrochemical, electrical, thermal and mechanical of batteries and
supercapacitors to vehicles. This will be led by Dr Gregory Offer, in close cooperation with Dr Ricardo Martinez-Botas and colleagues at Oxford.
Key Responsibilities
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To investigate the application of batteries and supercapacitors to
vehicles, to obtain a better fundamental understanding of the science
and technology involved.
To become familiar with existing experimental and analytical work on
electric vehicle systems that is being conducted at Imperial College,
Oxford and Loughborough.
To help design and develop control algorithms for the application of
batteries and supercapacitors to vehicles
To understand and investigate common degradation mechanisms and
failure modes of batteries and supercapacitors in vehicle applications
To work and liaise with the other parts of the project, especially the
activity on this project at Oxford
To plan experiments and review results
To obtain and maintain an understanding of the activities on the project
at Loughborough, Oxford, Cranfield and Coventry Universities
Using results obtained from the other parts of the project, explore the
benefits in terms of vehicle concept configuration, and in terms of the
impact on the control system architecture.
Conduct modelling of concept vehicles with and without batteries and
supercapacitors, to produce a quantitative evaluation of the benefits of
each technology.
To help design concept control algorithms that will be used to manage
the flows of energy in proposed systems.
Validate the models with experimental data where such data exists or
can be generated in the project.
To collaborate and work with other research staff and students within
the department.
To write reports, conference and journal papers on the research
outcomes and make presentations on the work to present and potential
future industry partners.
To assist in working with external suppliers to specify, procure and
commission new equipment as required for experimental work.
To undertake such other duties as may reasonably be requested and
that are commensurate with the nature and grade of the post.
To assist with the development and running of the zero emission
vehicle undergraduate teaching programme, Imperial Racing Green at
Imperial College
Job descriptions cannot be exhaustive; the post holder may be required to
undertake other duties, which are broadly in line with the above key
responsibilities.
Imperial College is committed to equality of opportunity and of eliminating
discrimination. All employees are expected to adhere to the principles set out in its
Equal Opportunities in Employment Policy, Promoting Race Equality policy and
Disability Policy and all other relevant guidance/practice frameworks.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Research Associate
Developing the Fundamental Understanding of Energy Storage Technologies
for Ultra Reduced Emission Vehicles
Applicants are required to demonstrate that they possess the following attributes:
Person Specification
The job involves the development of a better fundamental understanding of the
science and technology involved in the application of batteries and supercapacitors
to vehicles. The research programme will have both experimental, computational
and theoretical elements.
Experience and Knowledge
Essential:
 a suitable technical background, preferably in mechanical, chemical or
automotive engineering.
 either, have completed a PhD and have an appropriate level of additional
experience and provide evidence of relevant scientific publications, or have
completed a PhD and an appropriate level of industrial experience and some
equivalent form of demonstrating that experience
 proven analytical and modelling skills, ideally both at a detailed and system
level
 some knowledge of electrochemistry of batteries and supercapacitor
technologies, as well as awareness of heat transfer issues
 some knowledge of control theory such as state space representation
 experience of writing papers and giving presentations.
 willingness to work with postgraduate, undergraduate and summer students.
The following skills would be an advantage:
 extensive knowledge of electrochemistry and battery and supercapacitor
technologies.
 some knowledge of automotive engineering and the automotive industry
 extensive knowledge of battery and/or supercapacitor degradation
mechanisms and failure modes
 extensive knowledge of heat transfer
 extensive knowledge of automotive engineering and the automotive industry
 experience of use of Simulink and Matlab as a design tool for modelling and
control work
Skills and Abilities
 A demonstrated ability for innovation and original research.
 Good organisational and multi-tasking abilities.
Ability to exercise initiative and judgment in carrying out research tasks.
 Ability to write clearly and concisely to a level consistent with publication in
highly regarded international journals.
 Ability to relate appropriately to others and to work as part of a team.
 Ability to tackle a wide variety of tasks.