Research Associate for Integrated Biomethane Production from Microalgae

Job reference: SAE-028105
Salary: £36,924-£45,163 per annum, dependent on relevant experience
Faculty/Organisational unit: Science and Engineering
Location: Oxford Road
Employment type: Fixed Term
Division/Team: Department of Chemical Engineering
Hours per week: Full time (1 FTE)
Closing date (DD/MM/YYYY): 05/03/2025
Contract duration: 12 months
School/Directorate: School of Engineering

A Research Associate position is available in the Department of Chemical Engineering and in particular in the Biochemical and Bioprocess Engineering group, for an outstanding and ambitious chemical engineer to undertake primarily computational research related to the bioproduction of biomethane from microalgal strains. This is part of an ongoing InnovateUK collaborative project under the scheme “Innovate Ukraine – Supporting Ukraine’s Energy Recovery”. An exciting collaboration with Ukraine’s energy sector has been setup, including both academic and industrial partners. The project presents an exciting opportunity to undertake world-class computational research, lead dissemination and communication activities, collaborate with UK and international partners, perform project management tasks, and play an active role in creating impact in the field of renewable energy. Research will manly include computational methodologies to complement the ongoing experimental and modelling activities taking place in the group and across all partners. The scope of the work will be to:

• Develop an holistic (bio)process model of the integrated plant
• Validate the model through experimental data developed in the project
• Perform model-based optimisation
• Utilise the integrated model to perform extensive techno-economic (TEA) and sustainability analysis

You should have, a PhD (or equivalent) in chemical engineering or industrial biotechnology. Expertise in computational programming, model development, optimisation and techno-economic and sustainability analysis is essential. Expertise in microalgae and/or anaerobic digestion systems and relevant (bio)technologies is also desirable.

You should be capable of working under your own initiative and leading a research team, comprising PhD students. You will be expected to strongly liaise with the project partners, so excellent communication and organisational skills are also required.

Note that post should start on 1/4/2025 or shortly thereafter, therefore candidates that meet the criteria who are eligible to start on that date (including all paperwork requirements) are especially encouraged to apply.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we support an inclusive working environment and welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any CVs submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Prof K. Theodoropoulos

Email: k.theodoropoulos@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries:

Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk

Technical support: jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

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