Job Detail

(Overview, Role Detail and Person Specification)

SCHOOL OF SCIENCE, ENGINEERING &

ENVIRONMENT

Research Fellow – Grade 7

Fixed-term, full-time contract

(MPF: MPF3168)

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Role Title: Research Fellow in Automotive Powertrain Design

Reports To: Dr Meisam Babaie/ Dr Saber Mahboubi Heydarabad

Overview
In collaboration with Involution Technologies Ltd (ITL) and Bramble Energy, the University of Salford has been
awarded an Innovate UK project to contribute towards zero emission road freight. It is going to design a fuel
cell hybrid electric vehicle (FCHEV) powertrain for heavy goods vehicle (HGV) application. Based primarily at
University of Salford in Manchester, the successful applicant is responsible for delivery of the project supported
by experienced staff from industry partners and the University of Salford.

The postholder will develop a simulation design of the FCHEV powertrain system based on our partner
technologies for heavy duty application. The postholder is required to liaise with our industry to obtain the
required data and use the simulation facilities at Automotive and Autonomous Vehicle Technology (AAVT)
laboratory to develop the simulation and the design. Using the ITL and Bramble Energy Technologies and
relevant scientific literature, the successful applicant is required to undertake the core model building, analysis,
and optimization of the total vehicle powertrain system.

The Academic team at the University of Salford consists of Dr Meisam Babaie (Lecturer in Mechanical
Engineering), Dr Saber Mahboubi Heydarabad (Lecturer in Electrical & Electronic Engineering), all of whom
work for the School of Science, Engineering and Environment.

The post is a fixed-term full-time contract available immediately and continues until end of February 2022 and
it is funded by a grant from the Innovate UK. Appointment at Grade 7 is dependent upon having been awarded
a PhD; if this is not the case, the appointment will be considered at research assistant Grade 6 for a candidate
with relevant expertise and experience in powertrain simulation and design.

Role Purpose
There is an urgent need for decarbonisation of the transportation sector. Similar to other sectors of the
automotive industry, the medium and heavy-duty truck market is also required to evolve. Whilst this sector share
in global vehicle stock is below 10%, they are mainly large diesel engines combined with a greater mileage,
means that medium and heavy-duty trucks are currently responsible for a significant on-road global greenhouse
gas emission. There are still substantial challenges for battery electric truck applications because of the high-
power density requirements of the powertrain system. Therefore, hydrogen fuel cells seem to be more practical
for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs).

The proposed Fuel-cell drive targets the zero-emissions electric drivetrain market, primarily for HGVs. There is
a clear need to meet the forthcoming changes in legislation due to the environmental concerns. The project is
aiming to design and analyses the performance of the INVO-EDU transmission and associated Hydrogen fuel
cell system to provide a practical solution for FCHEV application in HGVs. The system design and analysis will
be performed in this project using market-leading simulation packages. The main deliverable is the full concept
design of a Fuel Cell Hybrid Electric powertrain system ready to be built into a truck with a practical capacity to
meet the relevant requirements in an economic package.

It is a very exciting project due to the uptake of hydrogen application as a clean source of energy in recent years
and the concept of zero emission vehicles. This project will facilitate the introduction of a state-of-the-art solution
to vehicle OEM's and end-users, across the HGV applications. In addition, the post holder will have the
opportunity to work at a strategic level with the industry under commercial pressures, with the support of the
Academic team from the University of Salford.

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Key Accountabilities or Duties

 To undertake research projects related to the specified specialism

 To help conceive and then to plan and deliver the research design projects related to the aims of the
research area
 To work within the project timescales and agreed work plans
 To collect, process and interpret data relevant to the aims of the research project.
 To liaise with other academic staff employed in the project, and with external partners team members
in a manner such that there is collective support for all aspects of the partnership
 To report on research issues to the principal investigator/co-investigator on the project
 Where necessary, to present the research work of the University to other University staff/students and
external partner

Responsibilities
The research assistant will take on the challenging task of running this research and implementation. This is an
opportunity for the right candidate to become a key player within the field, together with an awareness of
strategic and operational decision-making processes. The key responsibilities for this project are:

 Gain a detailed understanding of HGV powertrain, incorporating a fuel cell, battery, and electric drive
unit.
 Design and optimise a Fuel Cell Hybrid Electric Vehicle (FCHEV) powertrain for an HGV case study
truck under simulation
 Analyse the performance of the designed FCHEV truck in relevant driving cycles
 Specify the amount of hydrogen to be stored for adequate range within the volume and weight limits
 Establish a control strategy such that the associated equipment of fuel cell, battery, and hydrogen tanks
can be assembled on the vehicle within the practical limits.
 Ensure the academic team and industry partners are regularly informed of study progress and issues
pertinent to future progress
 Work with key stakeholders throughout the project to plan and execute detailed research plans to
provide the agreed deliverables.
 Contribute to the writing of reports for the external partner/grant provider and research
dissemination
 Disseminate research findings at local, regional, national, and international conferences, in publications
and to participants) in association with academic team and industry partners
 Maintain high standards of academic and commercial confidentiality
 Use due diligence in the management, protection and exploitation of intellectual property owned
by the University and/or external partner
 Perform any other duties appropriate to the grade as may be required by the appropriate senior
manager
 Engage with the University’s commitment to deliver value for money services that optimise the use of
resources by maintaining a cost-conscious approach when undertaking all duties and aspects of the
role
 Promote equality and diversity for students and staff and sustain an inclusive and supportive study
and work environment in accordance with University policy and UK legislation
 This role detail is a guide to the work you will initially be required to undertake. It may be changed
from time to time to meet changing circumstances. It does not form part of your Contract of
Employment.

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 Person Specification
Qualifications

The successful candidate should have: Essential/ Tested by*

Desirable A, I, P, T
1 A PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Aerospace/Aeronautical A, I
Essential
Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline. Certificate
2 Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Aerospace/Aeronautical A, I
Essential
Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline. (2:1 or higher) Certificate

Background & Experience

Essential/ Tested by*

The successful candidate should have demonstrable knowledge of: Desirable A, I, P, T
3 Experience in powertrain design and simulation Essential A, I, P
Experience in using the vehicle system simulation tools and techniques such as AVL,
4 Essential A, I, P
GT-Power or any other relevant software.
5 Experience in using MATLAB and Simulink Essential A, I
Experience in using professional drawings CAD software such as SOLIDWORKS CATIA
6 Essential A, I
or any other relevant software
7 Experience in fuel cell modeling and simulation Desirable A, I
8 Experience in developing control systems Desirable A, I
9 Experience in dissemination of research: conference abstracts; infographics; articles Essential A, I

Knowledge

Essential/ Tested by*

The successful candidate should have demonstrable knowledge of: Desirable A, I, P, T
10 Mechanical and electrical powertrain system and automotive components. Essential A, I, P
11 Electric drive unit and its operation and components Essential A, I
12 Fuel cell at cell and stack level with application in automotive industry Essential A, I
13 Mathematical modeling, simulation, and optimization of vehicle powertrain Essential A, I
14 Heat transfer and Thermodynamics in fuel cell and automotive application Desirable A, I
15 Heavy goods vehicle (HGVs) powertrain system and components Desirable A, I
16 Lab view and robust control. Desirable A, I
17 Real time control systems Desirable A, I

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 Skills & Competencies

Essential/ Tested by*

The successful candidate should demonstrate: Desirable A, I, P, T
Good command of written and spoken English, capable of communicating complex
18 Essential A, I, P
concepts in a clear manner to a wide-ranging audience.
Passion for computer simulation and the ability to work in a future focused environment
19 Essential A, I, P
that is rapidly evolving.
20 Ability to communicate and work productively within teams, as well as independently Essential A, I
Good time management and organisational skills: self-directed and creative; organise
21 Essential A, I
and prioritise own workload to meet deadlines
22 Good interpersonal skills Essential A, I, P
Ability to present information concisely in written and verbal formats; write conference
23 Essential A, I
abstracts, reports and articles for publication.
24 Experience liaising with multiple agencies Desirable A, I

A = Application form, I = Interview, P = Presentation, T = Test

Details of any assessments required will be provided in the invitation to interview letter.

Candidate guidance

In order to fully meet the essential criteria candidates must show clear evidence of how they meet the criteria.
Simply stating that you have a skill or experience in an area is not sufficient, you must provide a clear example
to show how you have met each of the criterion

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