The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

We are seeking a Research Associate to develop and verify a high-reliability detection system for mechanical bearing failures in next-generation aviation electrical generators. These components are vital for "more-electric" gas turbine engines but require uncompromising safety and reliability for flight. In this critical application, there is no room for missed detections or false alarms. You will devise detection systems robust to extreme environments while identifying symptoms unique to imminent mechanical failure.

New knowledge is needed for the complex, late-stage failure mechanisms of these coupled bearing systems. Using your mechanical engineering expertise, you will develop a combination of physical experimental designs and mathematical behavioural models to validate failure hypotheses. Working with our industrial and academic research team, this data will inform your design of signal-processing algorithms sensitive specifically to failure behaviours.  

At the conclusion of this 18-month post, you will demonstrate your algorithms and validation approach on sub-scale rigs you have jointly designed and built. Successful technologies will then be transferred to Rolls-Royce for a demonstrator engine and ultimately integrated into the design of the UltraFan engine.  

You will be a mechanical engineer with a "systems mindset" who can complement our team’s existing expertise in electrical and control engineering. While you will lead mechanical modelling and experimental design, a desire to master signal processing and machine learning is essential to bridge the gap between disciplines and deliver an optimised, integrated solution.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Plan and execute research in accordance with the project aims and in collaboration with staff from the University and Rolls-Royce.
• Design, implement and test mechanical failure detection algorithms for electrical machines.
• Build a modular bearing system model at an appropriate fidelity to represent nominal behaviour, disturbances and failure.
• Design and run experimental plans to generate data.
• Management and preprocessing of data to calibrate models and validate detection algorithms.
• Collaborate with the technical workshop team to build a bearing failure rig with disturbance injection capability.
• Collaborate with colleagues in other disciplines to understand the system interactions and fuse available signals that might contribute to reliable detection of mechanical failure.
• Expand detection and validation to incorporate other failure modes as identified by the project team.
• Perform background research to understand the current state of the art and trial appropriate techniques from the scientific literature.
• Lead the authorship of journal and conference papers.
• Write progress reports for industrial collaborators and meet any other reporting obligations.
• Liaise closely with the UTC, University and Rolls-Royce staff both on and off-site, travelling as necessary to support project activities.
• Provide verbal presentation of results along with supporting material.
• Maintain accurate and complete records of all findings.     
• Maintain awareness of current related research within the field.
• Provide technical guidance and assistance to other members of staff and students
• As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Further Information

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in June. This will consist of an interview and a presentation. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage by the end of June. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact eee-operations@sheffield.ac.uk.

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
• Generous pension scheme.
• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
  • support for those going through the menopause
  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment
  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Closing Date : 12/06/2026 

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.