Research Associate for Autonomous Industrial Systems

The Department of Chemical Engineering is seeking a Research Associate for the Autonomous Industrial Systems Lab to investigate novel control system architectures and algorithms to increase the level of autonomy in industrial operations, especially for manufacturing and process systems applications such as carbon capture and storage, natural gas processing and transportation, and thermo-mechanical energy storage plants.

Job listing information

• Reference ENG02190
• Date posted 23 June 2022
• Closing date 17 July 2022

Key information about the role

• Location South Kensington Campus (map)
• Position type Full time, fixed term
• Salary £41,593 – £49,210 plus benefits
• Department Department of Chemical Engineering
• Category Researcher / Non Clinical Researcher

Job description

Job summary

The Department of Chemical Engineering is seeking a Research Associate for the Autonomous Industrial Systems Lab to investigate novel control system architectures and algorithms to increase the level of autonomy in industrial operations, especially for manufacturing and process systems applications such as carbon capture and storage, natural gas processing and transportation, and thermo-mechanical energy storage plants.

Duties and responsibilities

In this role you will have the opportunity to collaborate with industrial partners and collect their input for developing control systems of the future to reduce accidents and increase the reliability and efficiency of industrial operations by leveraging modelling, control, optimisation, and machine learning technologies.

Key responsibilities:

• You will carry out an analysis of the current autonomy levels in industrial applications as well as the role of human operators in responding to unplanned events and adverse situations
• You will assist in developing a comprehensive research plan to address the challenges faced for reaching higher autonomy levels in industry
• You will deliver research outcomes in accordance with the above plan for selected autonomous operation capabilities and demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed autonomous solutions in suitable simulation and testing environments
• You are expected to publish your findings in high quality journals and present at national and international meetings
• You will assist in the supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate research students and research assistants as required

Essential requirements

Required Skills and Experience:

• Expertise in mathematical methods and algorithms used in systems engineering for process modelling, monitoring, optimisation, and control. Experience in working with methods such as model predictive control or reinforcement learning is desirable
• Expertise in working with process simulation technologies
• Prior experience in energy systems and process systems applications
• Basic understanding of electrical power systems and electrical machines used in a process systems environment such as variable speed drives for compressors, fans, and pumps
• Strong skills and experience in working with computer code, especially in a collaborative development setting is required

Further information

The post is available from October 1^st, 2022 for 12 months. The post is based in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London (South Kensington Campus).

Informal enquiries about the post can be made to Dr Mehmet Mercangoz (m.mercangoz@imperial.ac.uk).

To apply, please click the Apply now button at the top of the page. You will find this vacancy by searching either the position title or job number: ENG02190.  Please ensure you include a completed application form with your submission. 

Further information about the post is available in the job description.

Should you have any queries about the application process please contact chemeng.staffing@imperial.ac.uk.

Closing date: midnight on Sunday 17th July 2022

For technical issues when applying online please email support.jobs@imperial.ac.uk

The College is a proud signatory to the San-Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions, we evaluate applicants on the quality of their work, not the journal impact factor where it is published. For more information, see https://www.imperial.ac.uk/research-and-innovation/about-imperial-research/research-evaluation/

The College believes that the use of animals in research is vital to improve human and animal health and welfare. Animals may only be used in research programmes where their use is shown to be necessary for developing new treatments and making medical advances. Imperial is committed to ensuring that, in cases where this research is deemed essential, all animals in the College’s care are treated with full respect, and that all staff involved with this work show due consideration at every level.

http://www.imperial.ac.uk/research-and-innovation/about-imperial-research/research-integrity/animal-research/ 

Imperial College is committed to equality of opportunity, to eliminating discrimination and to creating an inclusive working environment. We are an Athena SWAN Silver award winner, a Stonewall Diversity Champion, a Disability Confident Employer and work in partnership with GIRES to promote respect for trans people.

Closing date: 17/07/2022