Research Fellow in Power-train Component Sizing Optimization of Electric Vehicles (001619)

Applications are invited from enthusiastic, self-motivated and talented individuals for a post–doctoral research position as part of OBELICS project, that brings world leading automotive manufacturers and Tier1 suppliers together with research institutes. With an interest in leveraging state of the art knowledge in the urgent need for new tools to enable multi-level modelling and testing of EV and their components in order to deliver more efficient vehicle designs faster while supporting modularity to enable mass production and hence improved affordability.

Project Background

OBELICSis a multidisciplinary collaborative research project funded byEuropean Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 769506. The overall objective of OBELICS is to develop a systematic and comprehensive framework for the design, development and testing of advanced e-powertrains and EVs line-ups, to reduce development efforts by 40% while improving efficiency of the e-drivetrain by 20% and increase safety by a factor of 10 using OBELICS advanced heterogeneous model-based testing methods and tools; as well as scalable and easy to parameterize real-time models.

The project offers an opportunity for successful candidates to work in an inspiring environment at the University's Centre for Automotive Engineering of the Mechanical Engineering Sciences Department, which has research interests in a wide range of topics including electric vehicle, hybrid vehicles, connected and automated vehicles, vehicle aerodynamics, novel transmission systems for electric and hybrid electric vehicles and tyre dynamics.

Our Offer

As part of this project, we offer a full-time postdoctoral research position (RA1A) for 16 months. In particular, your task will be to work on the: i) development of novel component sizing optimization algorithm of the electric powertrain using novel techniques (preferably intelligent control techniques) to minimize the drivetrain losses while ensuring the vehicle performance, and ii) to evaluate its effectiveness via simulation and experimental validations. Although you will be based at the University of Surrey, you will be expected to travel for meetings, conferences and joint activities (implementation and testing). A budget for travel and other expenses will be provided, and there will be several opportunities to attend related conferences.

Your profile

We are looking for a researcher with a PhD degree or currently enrolled on a PhD programme, with good skills and knowledge in the development of software algorithms for automated vehicles.Knowledge of:

You need to have good programming and experimental skills. The candidates should be motivated and enthusiastic to work in a team environment and should have experience of communicating findings in journal papers. We are also looking for good written and spoken English language skills.

Your responsibilities

You will be expected to conduct research in OBELICS project concerned with the development of a novel method for the optimization of powertrain component sizing of electric vehicles. The duties will also include reporting the results in top ranking journals.

Information and application

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the project coordinator Dr. Hartavi Karci. E-mail: a.hartavikarci@surrey.ac.uk, Tel: +44 (0) 01483 68 2895.

Please note, it is University Policy to offer a starting salary equivalent to Level 3.6 (£31,302) to successful applicants who have been awarded, but are yet to receive, their PhD certificate. Once the original PhD certificate has been submitted to the local HR Department, the salary will be increased to Level 4.1 (£32,236).

Closing Date: 07 Feb 2019
Category: Research & Teaching