Research Associate in Battery Systems (KK

About the role

Are you interested in battery management, degradation, thermal control, or module design? Within the IAAPS research team we are seeking a Research Associate to contribute to the group's work on batteries. You will work on two 3-year European funded projects we are currently in the middle of, supporting the design, development and testing of novel battery packs and battery management solutions. 

You will be responsible for designing, managing, and analysing test campaigns on battery performance and degradation, including evaluation of cutting-edge technologies.You will need strong experimental and data-analysis skills.A proactive attitude towards setting up and proving out new experimental capabilities is essential. 

Within TEMPEST the test campaigns will include evaluating use of alternating current for rapid battery pre-heating, for both ‘wet’ electrolyte and solid-state lithium-ion battery cells. The aim is to confirm the conditions and rates at which this can be used without detrimental effects. This will inform the design of a BMS to these specifications within the project, which will be led by another project partner. Within ENERGETIC you will lead analysis of trends in battery ultrasound data, linking this to changes in SOC and SOH. For both projects you will also coordinate the development and test of a battery module technology demonstrator to showcase the project technologies, drawing on in-house design and technician resource. 

TEMPEST and ENERGETIC between them involve 22 partners from across Europe. This is therefore an excellent opportunity for a researcher seeking to grow their professional network.

The successful applicant may be based either at our University campus in Bath, or at the IAAPS Ltd site in north Bristol. In either case many of the experimental facilities are based at IAAPS Ltd, and so travel to the north Bristol site will be required routinely. The position will also require travel to mainland Europe to work with industrial and academic partners to fulfil Bath’s roles on the projects and build new collaborations. The wider IAAPS research community is a thriving group of over 12 academics, 20 post-doctoral researchers and over 70 PhD research students. 

A secondary role will be to co-supervise PhD, MSc and undergraduate students undertaking research in the area of electric propulsion systems.

A lower grade offer may be made (Grade 6) with comparable reduction in responsibilities and amendment in job title to Research Assistant, if a suitable applicant cannot be found to fill the Grade 7 position. Applicants will need to be within six months of their course completion date and will be promoted to Research Associate once their PhD has been awarded. 

As a member of Research Staff at the University of Bath, you will be encouraged to take up a minimum of 10 days professional development pro rata per year.

This is a full-time, fixed-term position until 31 August 2025.

About you

hold PhD degree, or an equivalent professional qualification, in a subject area of direct relevance for the project, have previous experience of planning and conducting experimental work, ideally on battery cells, modules or packs,have an understanding of battery performance and degradation pathways,have an interdisciplinary interest in batteries across electrochemistry, materials, electrical engineering and/or mechanical engineering, and are interested in the links between cell-level effects and system performance in applications,have excellent teamwork and interpersonal skills, and are able to maximise contributions from other team members to achieve project goals, are self-motivated and possess project management and technical communication skills.

What we can offer you

We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students, so we encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.

We are very proud to be an autism friendly university and are an accredited Disability Confident Leader; committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.

Free counselling services through Health AssuredCycle to work schemeElectric vehicle salary sacrifice schemeStaff discount at Team Bath gymStaff discounts on postgraduate tuition feesStaff discount on language coursesGenerous employer contributory pension schemesGenerous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balanceA wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and moreFree entry to the Holburne Museum in BathLocal discounts and moreA family-friendly workplace An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforceRelocation allowanceVisa reimbursement and Interest-Free Loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses

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Closing Date: 01 Apr 2025

Department: Education & Research

Salary: £37,999 to £45,163