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The University of Edinburgh
Research Associate in Advanced Laser Diagnostics in Flame Spread Applications
City of Edinburgh On-site 2-5 yrs exp£41k – £49k / year
Sponsorship verifiedLaser DiagnosticsFire ScienceCombustionHeat TransferFluid Mechanics
Requirements
Candidates must have a PhD in Engineering or relevant fields and experience with laser diagnostics in flame environments. A strong track record in publishing in peer-reviewed journals and knowledge of flame behavior and heat transfer is also required.
Job Description
Job Description
UE07: £41,064.00 - £48,822.00 Per Annum.
College of Science & Engineering / School of Engineering.
Institute/Discipline: Institute of Multiscale Thermofluids.
Full Time - 35 hours per week.
Fixed Term Contract - 24 months.
We are looking for a post-doctoral researcher associate (PDRA) who has appreciable experience with advanced laser diagnostics, which will be used for fundamental studies of fire phenomena including flame spread, heat transfer, fluid mechanics and flame dynamics.
Where curiosity becomes impact
With roles from hospitality to research, there’s a career for everyone at the University of Edinburgh. We can offer opportunities for you to develop in your career and make a real difference in the communities around us while contributing to the world at large.
We offer careers and roles in just about every area you can think of. Whether you are looking for entry-level, mid-career or roles at the top of your chosen specialism, we can offer you a career where you can flourish and make a real difference in the communities around us while contributing to the world at large. Our people come from a wide range of backgrounds, each bringing their abilities and experiences to our organisation.
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 with active arts and social sectors, while working in a University that has made significant contributions to society, medicine, physics and teaching for over four centuries. Our people have helped create the modern world and are working on more ground-breaking technologies and practices. Join the University of Edinburgh and you’ll be making a difference to everything around you
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. We offer the full range of academic roles and have a genuine focus on our students performance and wellbeing.
This Research Associate position will contribute to the project ‘Shining light on flame spread’ which is a cross-collaboration between the Institute of Multiscale Thermofluids and the Institute of Infrastructure and Environment and is funded by UKRI.
The Opportunity
This project focuses on applications of laser and optical diagnostic techniques to study the fundamental mechanisms governing flame spread behaviour on solid surfaces. The experimental techniques provide non-intrusive measurements of gas phase temperature, species concentrations, velocity field, soot distribution, and surface temperature during flame spread. Measurements will assess the key physical and chemical interactions governing flames as the spread over solid material. Particular emphasis will be placed on resolving the coupling between gas- and solid-phase processes, including modes of heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation) and the gas phase processes (flame behaviour, chemical reactions, mixing, etc.). Investigation will be performed in relation to system parameters including the direction of flame spread, fuel thickness, fuel properties (charring vs. non-charring materials), and oxidizer flow conditions. This work provides an exciting opportunity to study a rich scientific problem, where the coupling of solid-phase and gas-phase phenomena has been limited by a lack of non-intrusive experimental tools applied to flame spread.
We are hiring a PDRA with experience with laser diagnostics applied in flame environments. Diagnostics that will be used in this project include: coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy, laser induced fluorescence, phosphor thermometry, particle-image velocimetry, and two-colour pyrometry. Candidates must have experience with at least one of the above diagnostics to be considered for the position. Strong candidates will exhibit the ability to learn diagnostics (where applicable) and apply them to fire science applications. Candidates must have their PhD in Engineering or other relevant fields. The candidate will join two PhDs and an experimental officer working on this project.
This role is UE07 and is available on a fixed term basis for up to 24 months.
Your Skills And Attributes For Success
As a valued member of our team, you can expect:
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 .
The University may be able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. This will depend on a number of factors specific to the successful applicant.
Key dates to note
The closing date for applications is 12 June 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.
About Us
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.
About The Team
Engineering has been taught at Edinburgh in one form or another since 1673. In 2002, the present School of Engineering was formed from the previously existing departments of Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electronics and Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. Since then, the School has grown from strength to strength, growing rapidly in the last 5 years, now having the largest number of students among the seven Schools in the College of Science and Engineering, offering undergraduate degree programmes across all disciplines and taught Masters courses in niche areas. All of the undergraduate degree programmes are accredited by the relevant professional institutions.
The School of Engineering addresses diverse complex challenges across the entire field of engineering, at the micro- and macro/global scales. At the microscopic scale, its research supports the design and deployment of novel nanotechnology and devices for biological monitoring and medical diagnosis; at the macro/global scale, it optimises the security and sustainability of the built environment and develops engineering solutions to climate change issues. In REF 2021 the joint submission from the University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University to General Engineering was ranked 1st in Scotland and 3rd in the UK for quality and breadth of research. The ranking cited is based upon the breadth and quality of research which apply standard formula (as used by the Times Higher Education) to the REF 2021 results.
The School has a strong track record in producing more than 50 technology spin-outs and developing industry links that enable our graduates to build career-long relationships. Current research income in the School was c.£22.0M in 2020/21.
We aim to ensure that our culture and systems support flexible and family-friendly working and recognise and value diversity across all our staff and students. The School has an active programme offering support and professional development for all staff; providing mentoring, training, and networking opportunities.
The School of Engineering holds a bronze Athena SWAN award, in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education & research.
Further information, including details of undergraduate & postgraduate taught programmes: www.eng.ed.ac.uk
UE07: £41,064.00 - £48,822.00 Per Annum.
College of Science & Engineering / School of Engineering.
Institute/Discipline: Institute of Multiscale Thermofluids.
Full Time - 35 hours per week.
Fixed Term Contract - 24 months.
We are looking for a post-doctoral researcher associate (PDRA) who has appreciable experience with advanced laser diagnostics, which will be used for fundamental studies of fire phenomena including flame spread, heat transfer, fluid mechanics and flame dynamics.
Where curiosity becomes impact
With roles from hospitality to research, there’s a career for everyone at the University of Edinburgh. We can offer opportunities for you to develop in your career and make a real difference in the communities around us while contributing to the world at large.
We offer careers and roles in just about every area you can think of. Whether you are looking for entry-level, mid-career or roles at the top of your chosen specialism, we can offer you a career where you can flourish and make a real difference in the communities around us while contributing to the world at large. Our people come from a wide range of backgrounds, each bringing their abilities and experiences to our organisation.
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 with active arts and social sectors, while working in a University that has made significant contributions to society, medicine, physics and teaching for over four centuries. Our people have helped create the modern world and are working on more ground-breaking technologies and practices. Join the University of Edinburgh and you’ll be making a difference to everything around you
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. We offer the full range of academic roles and have a genuine focus on our students performance and wellbeing.
This Research Associate position will contribute to the project ‘Shining light on flame spread’ which is a cross-collaboration between the Institute of Multiscale Thermofluids and the Institute of Infrastructure and Environment and is funded by UKRI.
The Opportunity
This project focuses on applications of laser and optical diagnostic techniques to study the fundamental mechanisms governing flame spread behaviour on solid surfaces. The experimental techniques provide non-intrusive measurements of gas phase temperature, species concentrations, velocity field, soot distribution, and surface temperature during flame spread. Measurements will assess the key physical and chemical interactions governing flames as the spread over solid material. Particular emphasis will be placed on resolving the coupling between gas- and solid-phase processes, including modes of heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation) and the gas phase processes (flame behaviour, chemical reactions, mixing, etc.). Investigation will be performed in relation to system parameters including the direction of flame spread, fuel thickness, fuel properties (charring vs. non-charring materials), and oxidizer flow conditions. This work provides an exciting opportunity to study a rich scientific problem, where the coupling of solid-phase and gas-phase phenomena has been limited by a lack of non-intrusive experimental tools applied to flame spread.
We are hiring a PDRA with experience with laser diagnostics applied in flame environments. Diagnostics that will be used in this project include: coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy, laser induced fluorescence, phosphor thermometry, particle-image velocimetry, and two-colour pyrometry. Candidates must have experience with at least one of the above diagnostics to be considered for the position. Strong candidates will exhibit the ability to learn diagnostics (where applicable) and apply them to fire science applications. Candidates must have their PhD in Engineering or other relevant fields. The candidate will join two PhDs and an experimental officer working on this project.
This role is UE07 and is available on a fixed term basis for up to 24 months.
Your Skills And Attributes For Success
- Proven track record with laser diagnostics in reacting flows
- Experience in fire or combustion related topics
- Strong track-record in publishing in peer reviewed scientific journals
- Experience or theoretical knowledge of flame behaviour
- Strong understanding of heat transfer and fluid mechanics in flame environments
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 and use our reward calculator to discover the value of your pay and benefits.
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 .
The University may be able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. This will depend on a number of factors specific to the successful applicant.
Key dates to note
The closing date for applications is 12 June 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.
About Us
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.
About The Team
Engineering has been taught at Edinburgh in one form or another since 1673. In 2002, the present School of Engineering was formed from the previously existing departments of Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electronics and Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. Since then, the School has grown from strength to strength, growing rapidly in the last 5 years, now having the largest number of students among the seven Schools in the College of Science and Engineering, offering undergraduate degree programmes across all disciplines and taught Masters courses in niche areas. All of the undergraduate degree programmes are accredited by the relevant professional institutions.
The School of Engineering addresses diverse complex challenges across the entire field of engineering, at the micro- and macro/global scales. At the microscopic scale, its research supports the design and deployment of novel nanotechnology and devices for biological monitoring and medical diagnosis; at the macro/global scale, it optimises the security and sustainability of the built environment and develops engineering solutions to climate change issues. In REF 2021 the joint submission from the University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University to General Engineering was ranked 1st in Scotland and 3rd in the UK for quality and breadth of research. The ranking cited is based upon the breadth and quality of research which apply standard formula (as used by the Times Higher Education) to the REF 2021 results.
The School has a strong track record in producing more than 50 technology spin-outs and developing industry links that enable our graduates to build career-long relationships. Current research income in the School was c.£22.0M in 2020/21.
We aim to ensure that our culture and systems support flexible and family-friendly working and recognise and value diversity across all our staff and students. The School has an active programme offering support and professional development for all staff; providing mentoring, training, and networking opportunities.
The School of Engineering holds a bronze Athena SWAN award, in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education & research.
Further information, including details of undergraduate & postgraduate taught programmes: www.eng.ed.ac.uk
Education
["postgraduate degree"]
Skills
Laser DiagnosticsFire ScienceCombustionHeat TransferFluid MechanicsPeer Reviewed PublicationsFlame BehaviourChemical ReactionsNon-Intrusive MeasurementsOptical Diagnostic TechniquesCoherent Anti-Stokes Raman SpectroscopyLaser Induced FluorescencePhosphor ThermometryParticle-Image VelocimetryTwo-Colour Pyrometry