Research Fellow

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract up to December 2026

Background

The School of Chemical Engineering is a multi-disciplinary and vibrant environment for outstanding study and research. In the Research Excellence Framework (2021) the School of Chemical Engineering received a ranking in the top 10 of the sector by grade point average and 4-star research. We have a research income in excess of £10 million per year through a balanced portfolio of grants from the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the European Union and Industry.

This specific role is to create and contribute to the creation of knowledge by undertaking a specified range of activities within a funded EPSRC grant ‘Thermally Responsive Supports for Enhanced Efficiency in PET Depolymerisation’. The project aims to address the current drawbacks of existing Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) polymer recycling methods by developing a scalable process for its depolymerisation. In particular to study the development and testing of thermally responsive catalyst supports that can be solubilised and then recovered by temperature cycling. 

The Research Fellow will be responsible for carrying out the evaluation of catalysts developed in Chemistry, devising kinetic models to represent the process and design of downstream separation processes, including preparation of bespoke membranes. 

Main Duties

• Plan and carry out experimental studies of catalyst performance in the depolymerisation of PET, including characterisation of catalysts and reactor products, e.g. via gas chromatography (GC), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
• Devise kinetic models and fit them to reaction profiles to determine the model of best fit, for example using software packages such as gProms, MSExcel
• Contribute to the design and operation of laboratory equipment
• Devise product separation strategies, carry out laboratory tests of membrane separations Work with the project team including researchers in Chemistry and project partners
• Analyse and interpret data as directed 
• Disseminate research findings, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods 
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Contribute to Departmental research-related activities and administration
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities
• Promote equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Person Specification

• Hold, or be close to completing, a PhD Degree or equivalent in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or closely related discipline
• First degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or closely related discipline
• Ability and experience to plan and carry out laboratory work in catalysis, reaction engineering and/or separation processes
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones via application of data modelling software, e.g. MSExcel or MATLAB
• High level analytical capability

Informal enquiries to Joe Wood: j.wood@bham.ac.uk 

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above.

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We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working.

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