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The Department
The Department of Engineering at Durham University is continuing a period of strategic growth. This is an exciting opportunity to join an expanding, unified Engineering Department which is recognised as one of the very best in the UK, with a reputation for excellence in teaching, research and employability of our graduates. The University is in the QS Top 100, and the Department itself is ranked 6th in both the 2025 Times and Guardian tables and 4th in the Complete University Guide 2025. In the REF2021 exercise, 95% of our Engineering outputs were graded 3* or 4*, and the Department is committed to an ethos of research-led and industrially-relevant education at all levels of our taught programmes. We are a scholarly community that is open, representative and diverse: our commitment to this is expressed through work of the Department’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Group, and our Athena Swan Silver award.
The Department of Engineering at Durham University seeks to appoint an Assistant Professor (Research) in Non-Thermal Plasma Innovation and would welcome applications from those with electrical engineering experience and expertise in research, design and development in this field. The successful candidate will be part of a team which is aiming to revolutionises wastewater sludge management through innovative combination of leading-edge processes to convert biosolids into liquid fuels, biochar and carbon materials. The advanced system will provide a transformative approach to generating value from waste in the water industry. They will be line-managed by Professor Tony Roskilly but will be an independent researcher and expected to carry out high quality work closely with academic colleagues and industrial partners. This post offers an exciting opportunity to make an important contribution to the development of the Department of Engineering’s research while allowing you excellent opportunities to develop your career in an exciting and progressive institution.
Assistant Professors (Research) at Durham
Key responsibilities:
- Pursue research that is world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour, commensurate with the Department’s continuing emphasis on international excellence;
- To be developing clear plans for the pursuit of suitable national and international funding opportunities to support research and end-user engagement;
- Contribute to enhancing the quality of the research environment in the Department, the wider University and beyond through collaborative research activity;
- Demonstrate a willingness to take contribute to the administrative work, citizenship and values of the Department;
- To fully engage in and enhance the values of the Department;
- To contribute to attracting and supervising research students, and to enhance the Department’s commitment to its vibrant and international postgraduate culture.
- Carry out such other duties as specified by the Head of Department.
- To carry out such other duties as specified by Professor Roskilly.
Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion
Equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key component of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our Purpose and Values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all colleagues undertake activities that are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.
Candidates applying for a Grade 8 post must meet all of the essential criteria.
Research
Candidates must have the capacity for and be progressing towards the independent development of internationally excellent research that produces high-quality outcomes, including some work that is recognised as world-class or that has world-class potential.
Essential Research Criteria
1. Qualifications - a good Masters degree and a PhD in Electrical Engineering.
2. Extensive experience of Postdoctoral research in high voltage power and non-thermal plasma catalytic reactor research, design and development.
3. Extensive experience in the testing high voltage systems and non-thermal plasma power supplies.
4. Experience of managing research undertaken with industrial partners.
5. Experience of presenting research outcomes to a wide range of stakeholders.
6. Evidence of high-quality research papers, some of which is recognised as world-class. Candidates are asked to submit four research papers with their application (as outlined in the How to Apply section below). Candidates may additionally choose to submit evidence such as external peer review of their outputs.
7. Research Impact – evidence of the impact of research that the candidate has been involved with beyond the candidate’s institution.
8. Personal Research Plan - evidence of a personal research plan which supports and enhances the Department of Engineering’s research strategy (max 2 pages).
Service, Citizenship and Values
This post is focused on research with industry partners, but candidates will be expected to actively engage in the administrative requirements of the Department, notably related to their research, and/or the research and research environment of the department.
Essential Services, Citizenship and Values criteria
9. Citizenship contribution – evidence of participation in the citizenship / administrative activities of an academic Department, Faculty or University. (Candidates may choose to evidence departmental or University roles, mentoring activity, pastoral and academic support of students, engagement with widening participation, involvement in equality and diversity initiatives and membership or engagement with external bodies).
10. Communication - candidates must have excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to engage with a range of students and colleagues across a variety of forums.
A. Income generation - engagement in the development of successful research project proposals.
B. PhD supervision - involvement in the provision of excellent supervision for PhD students.
C. Research Leadership - contribution to the leadership of research groups and the mentoring of early career researchers. Candidates may choose to include information about research group leadership, mentoring of research colleagues, invitations to and engagement with external events, and/or involvement with international networks or projects.
D. Leadership - engagement in activities that contribute to the administrative functioning of the candidate’s academic department and/or discipline including any leadership or other responsibilities in an academic/research context.
Contact Information
Department contact for academic-related enquiries
For informal enquiries please contact Professor Tony Roskilly ([email protected]) or the Head of Department, Professor Charles Augarde ([email protected]). All enquiries will be treated in strictest confidence.
How to Apply
We prefer to receive applications online.
Please note that in submitting your application, we will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement https://www.dur.ac.uk/ig/dp/privacy/pnjobapplicants/ which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.
What to Submit
All applicants are asked to submit:
- A CV (maximum 4 pages and 10 most recent publications)
- A covering letter which details how your experience, strengths and potential fit the essential and desired criteria for the position set out above (maximum 4 pages with explicit examples)
- Personal research plan.
- Four of your most significant research publications, where possible published since January 2021.
We will notify you on the status of your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails.
Referees
You should provide 3 academic referees they should not (if possible) include your PhD supervisor(s). The majority should be from a University other than your own (save for early career applicants applying for their first post).
As part of your application, you will be asked whether you give your consent to your academic references being sought should you be invited to attend an interview. We will only request references where permission has been granted.
Next Steps
All applications will be considered; our usual practice is for colleagues across the Department to read the submitted work of long-listed candidates.
Applicant Guidance
