Research Associate in Multiscale Boiling at Nanomaterial/Liquid Interfaces

Grade UE07: £41,885 - £49,798 per annum

School of Engineering / Institute for Multiscale Thermofluids

Full-time: 35 hours per week

Fixed-term: up to 30 months (to the end of the grant in August 2029)

Where curiosity becomes impact.

The University isn't just any employer. We are part of a local community and a contributor to global thinking, progress and research. In Edinburgh, you are in one of the world's most attractive cities.

The University of Edinburgh is a world-class organisation. We look for the best in the field across all disciplines and provide a working environment where academics can develop their careers and passion for their chosen subject area.

The Opportunity:

We are looking for a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) to work with Dr Rohit Pillai. The post is funded by NANO-COOL, Dr Pillai's European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant (funded by UK Research and Innovation), which is developing computational tools to design the next generation of electronics cooling devices.

You will develop continuum multiphase models of pool boiling on nanomaterial-coated (e.g. graphene-coated) surfaces, informed by molecular simulations of the surface/liquid interface from the NANO-COOL team, and test them against pool boiling experiments. The post is mainly numerical, with an element of experimental work: you will collaborate with Dr Biao Shen at the University of Tsukuba (Japan), who will run boiling experiments on graphene-coated copper surfaces, and you will travel to Tsukuba for funded research visits to join the experiments. Our group is also building artificial intelligence (AI) agents into how it does research, and you will be encouraged to bring your own ideas for modelling, experiments and analysis.

You will have a computational PhD in engineering, physical sciences, applied mathematics or a clearly related area, and experience in multiphase flow modelling (computational fluid dynamics, CFD), especially of boiling, phase change, or heat and mass transfer, with an interest in experiments and in working closely with an experimental group. You will also have an interest in using AI agents in research and the initiative to build them into your own work.

We offer weekly meetings with your supervisor, monthly group meetings, a large interdisciplinary network of collaborators, regular travel to national and international conferences, and training in state-of-the-art research software. Most of our recent PDRAs have moved into independent academic roles or won competitive research fellowships by the end of their contract. Find out more about our group on the group website.

The post starts on 1st March 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter. Informal enquiries are welcome: please contact R.Pillai@ed.ac.uk, including if you meet some, but not all, of the criteria.

This post is full-time (35 hours per week). We are open to considering requests for hybrid working (on a non-contractual basis) that combines a mix of remote and regular on-campus working.

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How to apply

Please include the following documents in your application:

- a cover letter that clearly outlines how you meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role

- a CV

- your best journal-length article (published or unpublished)

People have always been at the heart of our work. We value colleagues with drive, determination and a passion for what they do. We are a place where everyone is welcome.

A career with us has a range of other benefits that can be tailored to your lifestyle:

• Leading-edge research
• Opportunities for publication
• Professional development and subject matter expertise
• Flexible/hybrid where the roles allow

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

• A competitive salary.

• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.

• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.

• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, including generous annual leave entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, a wide range of staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the value of your pay and benefits.

Championing equality, diversity, and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter, and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.

Prior to any employment commencing with the University, you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens in a new tab).

The University is able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. If successful, an international applicant requiring sponsorship to work in the UK will need to satisfy the UK Home Office’s English Language requirements and apply for and secure a Skilled Worker Visa.

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is 2nd December 2026.

Unless stated otherwise, the closing time for applications is 11:59 pm UK time. If you are applying from outside the UK, the closing time shown on our adverts will automatically adjust to your browser’s local time zone.

Interviews will be held soon after the closing date.

As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.