Richard Osborne
Biography
Dr Richard Osborne is a leading authority in internal combustion engine development, with over 25 years of experience at Ricardo. As Global Technical Expert – Sustainable Engines, he specialises in advanced combustion systems and the integration of sustainable fuels to drive down emissions and improve engine efficiency.
After earning his MEng from Oxford University, Richard joined Ricardo in 1999 and has since held several senior technical roles. He completed a PhD at the University of Brighton in 2010 on controlled auto-ignition in gasoline engines, a topic central to modern low-carbon propulsion strategies.
His expertise spans engine downsizing, lean-burn combustion, HCCI, variable valvetrains, and dual-fuel applications. He has led numerous high-impact projects, including the development of a dual-fuel methanol marine engine and participation in the EU Horizon 2020 PaREGEn programme focused on CO₂ reduction.
Richard has authored more than 30 technical publications and received the IMechE Dugald Clerk Prize in 2017 for his work on the Magma Miller cycle engine. He currently chairs the IMechE Powertrain Systems and Fuels Group, helping shape the industry’s transition toward cleaner propulsion technologies.