Postdoctoral Research Associate in Plasma-Assisted Combustion Modelling

Queen Mary University of London - School of Engineering and Materials Science

Placed On: 20th March 2026

Closes: 1st May 2026

Job Ref: 9450

About the Role

A Postdoctoral Research Associate position is available for 24 months within the School of Engineering and Materials Science at Queen Mary University of London to work on a Leverhulme Trust-funded project on Plasma-Assisted Combustion (PAC) Modelling of Ammonia, in collaboration with the York Plasma Institute. The successful candidate will develop and apply advanced computational modelling approaches to simulate plasma-assisted combustion systems. This includes developing and validating detailed phenomenological PAC models, implementing coupled plasma–combustion chemical kinetics, and performing CFD and Large Eddy Simulations (LES) of laminar and turbulent configurations. The role will also involve analysing radical formation, flame stability, and emissions under plasma-assisted conditions.

The postholder will collaborate with partners, contribute to research publications, present findings at conferences, and support reporting to the funding body.

About You

You will hold a PhD (or be close to completion) in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or a related discipline. You should have strong knowledge of reacting flow physics, combustion modelling, turbulence modelling, and computational fluid dynamics. Experience in chemical kinetics modelling, multiscale simulation methods, and scientific programming is essential. Experience with plasma modelling or plasma-assisted combustion tools (e.g. ZDPlasKin), reacting flow solvers (e.g. Cantera), or CFD platforms (e.g. OpenFOAM) would be advantageous. Experience in high-performance computing, or non-equilibrium plasma kinetics is also desirable. You will demonstrate the ability to conduct independent research, publish in peer-reviewed journals, communicate complex ideas clearly, and work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research team.

About the School/Department/Institute/Project

The School of Engineering and Materials Science is a large, multidisciplinary School with a strong international reputation for research and teaching across aerospace engineering, energy systems, advanced materials, and sustainable technologies. The School hosts a vibrant research community of academic staff, postdoctoral researchers, and PhD students and provides an inclusive environment supporting innovation in clean energy and advanced engineering solutions. We welcome staff from diverse backgrounds and are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, providing a supportive and flexible working environment for all.

About Queen Mary

At Queen Mary University of London, we believe that a diversity of ideas helps us achieve the previously unthinkable.

Throughout our history, we’ve fostered social justice and improved lives through academic excellence. And we continue to live and breathe this spirit today, not because it’s simply ‘the right thing to do’ but for what it helps us achieve and the intellectual brilliance it delivers.

We continue to embrace diversity of thought and opinion in everything we do, in the belief that when views collide, disciplines interact, and perspectives intersect, truly original thought takes form.

Benefits

We offer competitive salaries, access to a generous pension scheme, 30 days’ leave per annum (pro-rata for part-time/fixed-term), a season ticket loan scheme and access to a comprehensive range of personal and professional development opportunities. In addition, we offer a range of work life balance and family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, and campus facilities.

Queen Mary’s commitment to our diverse and inclusive community is embedded in our appointments processes. Reasonable adjustments will be made at each stage of the recruitment process for any candidate with a disability. We are open to considering applications from candidates wishing to work flexibly.