Research Fellow in Seawater Desalination

Fixed Term Contract for 18 months, or until 28 February 2027 (whichever is sooner)

Full time starting salary is normally £37,337 to £38,312 per annum 

Location: Cranfield, Bedfordshire 

We welcome applications from passionate, skilled and motivated engineering (or other relevant topics) graduates with a PhD in the field of water/wastewater treatment processes to join our team in the Cranfield Water Science Institute to contribute to this exciting project to support the development of seawater desalination in the UK. 

About the Role

We seek a self-driven Research Fellow to support seawater desalination development in the UK. The project, in collaboration with Anglian Water, aims to identify optimal treatment trains and brine management for the East of England. 

The role includes reviewing global desalination systems, characterising seawater from selected East coast locations, and testing treatment technologies (pre-treatment, reverse osmosis, brine processing) at lab and pilot scales. 

This high-profile, nationally relevant project will enhance understanding of seawater desalination in the UK, informing future strategies. It’s an exceptional opportunity for a passionate researcher to contribute to impactful work for the water sector.

About You

You will have a PhD (or close to completion) in a relevant engineering or science discipline such as, but not limited to, chemical engineering or environmental engineering. You should also have knowledge and experience of relevant technologies for seawater desalination and/or brine management. You will have project management skills and demonstrable experience of timely research delivery, with excellent demonstrable communication skills. Finally, you will be able to demonstrate a track record of high-quality scientific publications.

The ideal candidate will have expertise in:

• Experimental research related to seawater desalination
• Analytical techniques for water analysis
• Designing and operating experimental set ups
• Working with pilot plants

About Us

As a specialist postgraduate university, Cranfield’s world-class expertise, large-scale facilities and unrivalled industry partnerships are creating leaders in technology and management globally. Learn more about Cranfield and our unique impact here.

Our Values and Commitments

Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out more here.

We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential. We are a Disability Confident Employer and proud members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme. We are committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role and have been ranked in the Top 30 family friendly employers in the UK by the charity Working Families. Find out more about our key commitments to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Flexible Working here.

Working Arrangements

Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides many staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners.

How to apply                                     

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Dr Marc Pidou, on (E): m.pidou@cranfield.ac.uk

To apply please click above 'Apply' Button. Please do not hesitate to contact us for further details on E: peoplerecruitment@cranfield.ac.uk. Please quote reference number 5047.

Closing date for receipt of applications: 22 April 2025

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