Research Associate/Fellow (Part-time, Fixed-term)

Area Architecture and Built Environment

Location University Park

Salary £32,080 to £35,608 per annum, pro rata depending on skills and experience (minimum £35608 with relevant PhD).

Closing Date Tuesday 28 July 2026

Reference ENG561826

About The Role Applications are invited for a Research Fellow position within the Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, contributing to cutting-edge research in thermal energy storage (TES) technologies for industrial decarbonisation. The project focuses on assessing the potential of thermal energy storage in enabling the low-carbon transition of dispersed industrial sites in the UK. The successful candidate will investigate technical challenges and deployment risks associated with TES integration, and develop data-driven understanding of industrial energy use and storage performance. You will be responsible for collecting and analysing energy consumption data from selected industrial sites, characterising thermal energy storage materials using experimental facilities at the University of Nottingham, and supporting system-level assessment of TES integration in collaboration with industrial and academic partners. The role offers the opportunity to work across experimental testing, data analysis, and applied energy systems modelling.

About The Team You will join a multidisciplinary research group within the Faculty of Engineering with expertise in building physics, thermal energy systems, and low-carbon technologies. The group has strong links with industry and international collaborators, and actively supports interdisciplinary research in energy decarbonisation. We foster a supportive, collaborative, and inclusive research environment, and welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and career pathways.

About You We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate:

• A PhD (or near completion) in Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline
• Experience or strong interest in thermal energy storage or related energy systems
• Ability to work with and analyse large experimental or field datasets
• Experience using laboratory facilities for material characterisation and performance evaluation
• Strong motivation to contribute to research on industrial decarbonisation and low-carbon energy technologies

What We Offer We offer a friendly, diverse, and supportive working environment with excellent opportunities for career development. Benefits include:

• Hybrid working arrangements with a blend of home and campus-based working
• Generous holiday entitlement (27–30 days plus bank holidays and university closure days)
• Access to training, development, and career progression opportunities
• University fitness, health, and wellbeing facilities
• Staff discounts, travel schemes, and a wide range of additional benefits

What Next This is a fixed-term position until 30 November 2026. The role will involve contributing to research outputs, supporting postgraduate researchers, and engaging in dissemination activities, including publications and stakeholder engagement.

Further details are available in the role profile. To apply, please click ‘Apply Now’ and complete your application. Informal enquiries may be addressed to Prof Yupeng Wu, tel: 0115 7484011 Or email Yupeng.Wu@nottingham.ac.uk. Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.

Working arrangements The role is offered at 20 hours per week. Please indicate your preferred working pattern in your application. Job share arrangements may also be considered.

Email details to a friend

Apply Online

Further details:

• Job Description/Role Profile

Our university is a supportive, inclusive, caring and positive community. We welcome those of different cultures, ethnicities and beliefs – indeed this very diversity is vital to our success, it is fundamental to our values and enriches life on campus. Visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion website.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) employer . Increasing the diversity of our community is extremely important to us and we are committed to the aims of Disability Confident Scheme.

We are the first university to have achieved Athena Swan Gold Award .

To help you succeed, we published Candidate Guidance to provide support on the application and interview process.

Discover our benefits, visit Your Benefits website.

We welcome applications from UK, Europe and worldwide and aim to make your move to the UK as smooth as possible. Visit the Moving to Nottingham page for details.

Your application will be considered on an equal basis, subject to the relevant permission to work in the UK as set out by UK Visas &​ Immigration .

View All Vacancies

View Previous List