Postdoctoral Researcher (Materials Science – Polymers) Centre for Plastics Innovation and Curation (PlastIC)

About us

Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) is a globally leading independent arts, design, performance and media university.   

At AUB we nurture creativity, engage communities, collaborate with industry and make a difference.   

Our commitment to EDI

Our core commitment to diversity, inclusion and a sustainable future truly values the diversity of our students and staff, creating an inclusive environment where everyone’s identities and talents are valued and respected.  We welcome applications from all areas of the community and particularly encourage applications from people from ethnic minority backgrounds and people who are disabled, who are currently underrepresented in our workforce. 

About the role

Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) has been successful in securing a 1.6m research grant from Research England to create a new Research Centre: Plastics Innovation and Curation (PlastIC). The new Centre will link the expertise of AUB’s Museum of Design in Plastics (MoDiP) with the design, manufacturing and testing capabilities of the Creative Technologies Research Group based in AUB’s Innovation Studio. The Centre will explore how plastics degrade over time or behave in different environments, resulting in research which will have international relevance to both museum collections and modern manufacturing.  

We invite applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher who will focus on projects to support the new Centre. The post will be based within the Research and Development team at Arts University Bournemouth under the direction of Dr Christian Mclening. Applicants must have a PhD in a field related to Heritage Science or Conservation and have an understanding of conservation processes from a science/engineering background.

As a highly motivated individual you will be able to devise, deliver and disseminate innovative research projects alongside colleagues or on your own initiative. With excellent communication skills, you will be able to build connections with people and demonstrate inspirational leadership. You will also be willing to support the supervision of research degree students, as well as taking ownership of your own learning.

You will contribute to the development of the new PlastIC Research Centre. The role is also expected to offer heritage science or conservation processes to the Museum of Design in Plastics (MoDiP) and to the heritage and manufacturing industries.

There will be some flexibility in the direction of the research but some areas for investigation could include but not be limited to Analysis and preservation of materials and objects in museum collections and the future materials within Manufacturing.

Our benefits

In meeting your performance expectations, each year you’ll have a salary increase in line with the grade of your role.  As well as this there is an annual cost of living increase.  AUB provides generous holiday entitlement, and you will be enrolled in the Local Government Pension Scheme (professional services staff) or the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (academic staff) from day one of employment.  Along with subsidised bus travel, cycle to work and annual savings schemes, our broad range of benefits can be explored on the AUB careers website https://aub.ac.uk/working-at-aub.

AUB has an agile working policy, and flexible working can be considered.  If you require support with your application or have any questions about the role or recruitment process, please email recruitment@aub.ac.uk . If you are disabled, we are committed to supporting you with any reasonable adjustments you require, so please email recruitment@aub.ac.uk and we’ll be in touch.