Josh Turner

Profile

Josh has accumulated 4 years of industrial experience in a number of engineering fields from his time both during his degree and since graduating from the University of Leeds with a first class MEng in Mechanical Engineering in 2016.

Josh spent over a year (July 2013 to August 2014) working as an Electrical and Systems Engineer for Caterpillar Inc., working in their European Machines team between his second and third years of study.

A second industrial role was undertaken during his studies, working as a design engineer for Thumbsat Inc. from July 2015 to September 2015, designing and analysing of a novel satellite deployment mechanism for a new class of femto-satellites.

Upon graduation, Josh took a Graduate role at Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd. as a Body Structures Innovation Engineer, investigating the latest technologies, materials, and manufacturing methods applicable to the automotive industry. As part of the role Josh undertook rotations in teams such as product strategy, design, purchasing, manufacturing, and an extended role in the transformation team developing a new product delivery plan. 

In May 2019, Josh returned to academia, undertaking a postgraduate research role at the University of Leeds in the School of Civil Engineering. 

Research interests

Josh’s PhD thesis entitled ‘Smart Monitoring: Using System Data to Reduce GHG Emissions from Heat Pump Systems in Operation’ is investigating the long-term performance of heat pumps in operation in the UK, with a view to improving their performance and thus reduce their associated emissions. This is due to be complete in May 2022.

Due to the nature of this project, Josh is working as part of the International Energy Agency Heat Pumping Technologies Annex 52, an international collaboration of experts undertaking the ‘Long Term Performance Measurement of Ground Source Heat Pump Systems Serving Commercial, Institutional, and Multi-Family Buildings’.

https://heatpumpingtechnologies.org/annex52/

Josh is also working as a member of the Energy and Sustainable Buildings group, an inter-disciplinary initiative within the University of Leeds, bringing together academics with expertise in areas such as energy geotechnics, nuclear energy infrastructure, architecture and sustainable buildings, among others.

https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/civil-engineering-energy-sustainable-buildings

Josh was competitively selected to join the 2020 cohort of Priestly Climate Scholars at the University of Leeds, a platform of engagement and professional development for postgraduate students working on projects with a climate focus. This inter-departmental forum brings together researchers from the schools of engineering, earth and environment, and physics among others, allowing for cross faculty engagement, collaboration, and training opportunities.

https://climate.leeds.ac.uk/opportunities/climate-scholars/

Research interests related to and beyond the scope of this project include:

The decarbonisation of heat

Heat Pumps

Thermally active infrastructure including Energy piles and Energy Walls

Renewable energy

Climate Change

Qualifications

• MEng (Industrial Placement) Mechanical Engineering 1st Class Honours (2016)
• Chartered Management Institute Leadership & Management Level 5 certificate (2019)