School of Engineering & Innovation Location: Aston University Main Campus Salary: £41,064 per annum Grade: Grade 08 Contract Type: Fixed Term (19/06/2026) Basis: Full Time Closing Date: 23.59 hours GMT on Friday 31 October 2025 Interview Date: Monday 10 November 2025 Reference: 0997-25 Release Date: Tuesday 07 October 2025 Join Aston University on a British Council ISPF-funded collaboration advancing an eco-friendly, off-grid desalination solution for Egypt. Working with South Valley University, the project integrates solar (thermal and PV) and geothermal energy with soil-based thermal storage to enable reliable 24/7 operation of adsorption desalination. We also develop low-cost sorption composites from locally available materials to enhance performance and affordability. We are seeking a Post-Doctoral Research Associate to drive the UK work on (i) sorption material development & characterisation and (ii) CFD modelling of core heat-exchange components (including the soil-coupled thermal store and geothermal energy). You will collaborate closely with the wider UK-Egypt team on the project's digital twin and system-level optimisation using TRNSYS and MATLAB/Python. The associate will use advanced characterisation (e.g., DVS, porosimeter, DSC/LFA) to develop and assess adsorption composites, and apply CFD to analyse coupled heat/mass transfer and guide component-to-system integration. Your insights will directly inform the integrated design and techno-economic assessment, supporting downstream prototyping and field validation, which will be led in collaboration with our partners. Essentials include a PhD (or near completion) in mechanical/chemical/thermal sciences or related field; hands-on experience in sorption material synthesis and characterisation; CFD skills (e.g., ANSYS/COMSOL) for conjugate heat and mass transfer; proficiency with MATLAB/Python. Expected experiences with adsorption desalination or porous media, as well as renewable/low-temperature thermal systems, are expected. You will work professionally with academics, researchers, engineers and technicians across the consortium. Main Duties include: Lead laboratory development and characterisation of sustainable sorption composites (e.g., carbon-based / salt hydrate composites), using DVS and thermal property testing (DSC/LFA). Build and validate high-fidelity 3D/CFD models of core components, including soil-coupled heat-storage heat exchangers and the closed-loop geothermal cooler. Integrate component models to support system-level optimisation using TRNSYS and MATLAB/Python by the wider team. Design and execute bespoke experiments to generate model inputs and validation datasets; analyse results to refine models and designs. Collaborate closely with UK-Egypt partners to inform overall system architecture for the hybrid solar/geo-powered adsorption desalination unit (24/7 operation with closed heating/cooling loops). Contribute to techno-economic assessment, benchmarking against incumbent technologies, and translate findings into design requirements/specifications. Support prototype definition and design reviews to enable downstream build and field demonstration with the Egyptian team. Prepare clear technical documentation: modelling reports, datasets, and design files; maintain versioned records in the shared project workspace. Disseminate outcomes through journal papers, conference contributions, and accessible briefs for stakeholders and workshops. Mentor and coordinate with ECRs/MSc/PhD contributors on methods, modelling, and experimental tasks. Adhere to project governance, deliver to milestones, and participate in regular progress/risk reviews with the consortium. Uphold research integrity, data management, and confidentiality practices throughout lab, modelling, and stakeholder-engagement activities. For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Ahmed Rezk (a.rezk@aston.ac.uk) This role may meet the requirements for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. If you require sponsorship, Aston University will assess eligibility if you are shortlisted for the role. Please note we are unable to confirm individual eligibility before shortlisting. See here for more information on Skilled Worker visa eligibility: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa Further details: Job Details University Information Email details to a friend Apply Online The University celebrates the rights of freedom of speech and academic freedom and is committed to maintaining and protecting these rights within the law. An offer to work at Aston University will never be denied on the basis of an individual's lawful expression of their beliefs, ideas or opinions. Aston University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. It promotes equality and diversity in all aspects of its work. We strive to have robust inclusivity strategies in place, to encourage colleagues to have the confidence and freedom to be themselves in the workplace. For more information, visit: https://www2.aston.ac.uk/about/inclusive-aston We recognise the value of flexible working. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss what flexible working options are available for particular roles. If you require the job details document or an application form in an alternative format please contact the recruitment team at recruitment@aston.ac.uk