Post-Doctoral Research Associate in adsorption desalination and cooling

Unlocking Sustainable Desalination: A Post-Doctoral Opportunity at Aston University

Aston University is at the forefront of groundbreaking research, seeking a motivated Post-Doctoral Research Associate to join a vital British Council ISPF-funded initiative. This collaborative project is dedicated to developing an eco-friendly, off-grid desalination solution specifically for Egypt. In partnership with South Valley University, this ambitious endeavor aims to harness solar (thermal and photovoltaic) and geothermal energy, coupled with innovative soil-based thermal storage, to ensure reliable, 24/7 operation of adsorption desalination systems. A key focus is also placed on developing cost-effective sorption composites from locally sourced materials, enhancing both performance and affordability of this critical technology.

Your Impact and Key Responsibilities:

As a Post-Doctoral Research Associate, you will be instrumental in driving the UK-based research efforts. Your core responsibilities will encompass:

• Sorption Material Development & Characterisation: Leading the laboratory development and in-depth characterisation of advanced, sustainable sorption composites (such as carbon-based and salt hydrate composites). This will involve utilizing sophisticated techniques like Dynamic Vapor Sorption (DVS) and thermal property testing (Differential Scanning Calorimetry/Laser Flash Analysis - DSC/LFA).
• CFD Modelling of Core Components: Building and validating high-fidelity 3D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models for critical heat-exchange components. This includes the soil-coupled heat-storage heat exchangers and the closed-loop geothermal cooler, focusing on conjugate heat and mass transfer.
• System Integration and Optimisation: Integrating component models to support system-level optimisation using TRNSYS and MATLAB/Python, contributing to the project's digital twin.
• Experimental Design and Validation: Designing and executing bespoke experiments to generate essential model inputs and validation datasets. Your analysis will be crucial for refining models and informing design iterations.
• Techno-Economic Assessment and Design Translation: Contributing to the techno-economic assessment of the desalination system, benchmarking it against existing technologies, and translating these findings into concrete design requirements and specifications.
• Prototype Definition and Collaboration: Supporting the definition of prototypes and participating in design reviews to facilitate downstream build and field demonstration in collaboration with Egyptian partners.
• Dissemination and Knowledge Sharing: Preparing clear technical documentation, including modeling reports, datasets, and design files. You will also disseminate project outcomes through journal publications, conference presentations, and accessible briefs for stakeholders.
• Mentorship and Team Coordination: Mentoring and coordinating with Early Career Researchers (ECRs), MSc, and PhD students on methodologies, modeling techniques, and experimental tasks.
• Project Governance and Compliance: Adhering to project governance, meeting milestones, and actively participating in progress and risk reviews with the consortium, while upholding research integrity, data management, and confidentiality.

Advantages for Your Career Path:

This Post-Doctoral Research Associate position offers a unique and rewarding opportunity for ambitious scientists. Here are some key advantages:

• Impactful Research: Contribute to a critical global challenge – sustainable water access – by developing an innovative, eco-friendly desalination solution with real-world application in Egypt.
• Cross-Cultural Collaboration: Engage in a dynamic international research environment, working closely with academics, researchers, engineers, and technicians across the UK and Egypt. This fosters invaluable global networking and cross-cultural understanding.
• Advanced Methodologies: Gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge characterisation techniques and sophisticated CFD modelling tools, significantly enhancing your technical skill set.
• System-Level Design Experience: Develop expertise in integrating component-level performance into a complete system, utilizing powerful simulation software like TRNSYS, MATLAB, and Python.
• Techno-Economic Insight: Contribute to the economic viability assessment of novel technologies, a crucial skill for translating research into market-ready solutions.
• Dissemination and Leadership: Develop strong communication and presentation skills through preparing technical documentation and disseminating research findings to academic and stakeholder audiences. You will also have the opportunity to mentor junior researchers.
• Visa Sponsorship Potential: This role may meet the requirements for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship, offering an excellent pathway for international candidates looking to advance their careers in the UK.

Key Considerations for Candidates:

To excel in this role, candidates should possess the following essential qualifications and experience:

• A PhD (or be near completion) in mechanical, chemical, thermal sciences, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience in the synthesis and characterisation of sorption materials.
• Proficiency in CFD modeling using software such as ANSYS or COMSOL, specifically for conjugate heat and mass transfer applications.
• Strong programming skills in MATLAB and Python.
• Experience with adsorption desalination or porous media is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with renewable energy systems and low-temperature thermal systems will be advantageous.

This is an exceptional opportunity to join a forward-thinking project that addresses significant environmental and societal needs. If you are a driven researcher with a passion for sustainable solutions and advanced engineering, we encourage you to explore this exciting prospect.