Research Assistant / Associate in Anion Exchange Membrane Development for Electrolysers

Salary:

Research Assistant: £32,296 to £33,882 per annum

Research Associate: £34,866 to £45,163 per annum

Company description:

We are a world class research-intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.

Job description:

The Role

We are seeking to appoint a talented and enthusiastic PDRA with expertise in organic synthesis to design and prepare polymers with high alkaline stability, good hydroxide conductivity and mechanical integrity for use as membranes in water electrolysers for hydrogen production.

The successful applicant will be part of friendly, supportive, and multidisciplinary team driven to develop energy solutions to improve sustainability and minimise climate change. The focus of the role is on designing and synthesising suitable model monomers and assessing their stability under alkaline conditions to develop motif-stability relationship and identify potential monomers for the preparation of co-polymers. Polymerisation techniques will be chosen based on the nature of the target backbone and the synthetic accessibility of the monomer and the properties of the polymer relevant to their use as membranes will be investigated. The candidate will work closely with partners of academics and industry across the consortium who are working on other components to deliver cost effective and efficient electrolyser technology.

Newcastle University is a world class research-intensive university. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.

The project is close collaboration between school of Engineering and school of natural science at Newcastle University. Electrochemical Engineering group at School of Engineering is recognised as world leading with expertise focusing on electrochemical energy conversion and storage. Prof. Mohamed Mamlouk has long track record and international standing in hydrogen research. Dr Simon Doherty is a senior lecturer in Organometallic Chemistry and Catalysis with strong experience in polymer synthesis and functionalisation.

You will be part of multidisciplinary international team across USA, Australia, Canada and UK tackling hydrogen production challenges with several research visits and stays at partners institutes and access to state-of-the-art facilities. You will be working with additional PDRAs at Newcastle on other AEM electrolysis projects.

Hypt hydrogen hub

Home - Global Hydrogen Production Technologies (HyPT) Center (asu.edu)
Net Zero hydrogen production - Press Office - Newcastle University (ncl.ac.uk)
Global Hydrogen Production Technologies (HyPT) Center (cranfield.ac.uk)

Prof Mohamed Mamlouk
https://www.ncl.ac.uk/engineering/staff/profile/mohamedmamlouk.html

Dr Simon Doherty
Staff Profile | School of Natural and Environmental Sciences | Newcastle University (ncl.ac.uk)

School of Engineering
School of Engineering | School of Engineering | Newcastle University (ncl.ac.uk)

School of Natural science
School of Natural and Environmental Sciences | School of Natural and Environmental Sciences | Newcastle University (ncl.ac.uk)

Fixed term contract for 36 months with possible extension to 48 months. Grade F (points 27-30)

Informal enquiries and requests for more detailed project information should be directed to Prof. M Mamlouk (mohamed.mamlouk@newcastle.ac.uk)

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