The National Transport Design Centre was launched in 2017 and is all about changing the way the world moves! We employ state-of-the-art visualisation and simulation techniques and design tools, modelling and shaping technologies to address design challenges from bicycles, through autonomous cars to e-VTOL aircraft. One of our main strengths is user-centred design, understanding that the user experience is what drives the trust and engagement of all users of innovative transport. NTDC also hosts a number of innovative companies, presenting excellent opportunities for collaboration and the development of impactful research. We have psychologists, human factors experts, industrial and automotive designers alongside experts in human systems integration for aviation and in aerodynamics and control systems. See out LinkedIn pages at https://www.linkedin.com/company/ntdc/
We have already made great strides into the design of e-VTOL aircraft for urban air mobility with a relatively small team and we are now looking to grow this team and thereby extend the scope and capability of our research in this exciting and innovative area. There is scope for the application of a range of skills and capabilities within our team; we currently have expertise in vehicle dynamics and control, modelling and simulation, exterior and interior design, user experience, design for safety as well as access to complementary research capability outside NTDC in battery design, electric motors, characterisation of materials, cybersecurity and manufacturing.
We need to identify people who can supplement as well as complement our design capability in urban air mobility. We are therefore offering two Assistant Professor opportunities to join our urban air mobility group and the wider team at NTDC. Successful candidates will actively contribute to research groups or communities of practice internally and externally, assisting with bids and tenders for external projects or contract and supervising post graduate researchers. They will also disseminate research outputs and develop external networks nationally and internationally.
The research activities form an integral part of a much broader engineering research portfolio within our Institute for Future Transport and Cities, encompassing Design, Materials, Powertrain and Advanced Systems (with a strong focus on CAV), as well as Manufacturing. Each of these groups has its own industry-facing institute, which provides excellent routes for partnership development and impactful research; together they provide an impressive platform for cross-discipline working and exciting research.
The successful candidate will be an established academic with a PhD and proven experience in user-focused design. Relevant experience of applied air mobility will be an advantage. The candidate will also have publications, REF rated at 3* or 4*, and a track record in attracting and working on funded research projects that have demonstrable impact.
Furthermore they will use their knowledge in the areas outlined above to contribute to the School’s engineering degrees. They will share our passion for delivering a positive student experience that puts excellence in teaching and learning at the heart of everything we do, being able to demonstrate significant knowledge in their areas of specialisation.
Experience of working on applied research projects or contracts, as well as participation in professional practice/consultancy will be advantageous for these roles.
If you would like to be a part of the development and growth of this important and unique contribution to the UK’s innovation in this developing area, please click here for the job description and person specifications.
Click here for Job Description and Person Specification