Postdoctoral Research Associate

Aston Institute for Membrane Excellence (AIME) has been awarded £6.1m in funding from the UK Government Department of Science, Industry and Technology (DSIT), with a further £7.1m in potential co-funding from partners including Science Card and Bruntwood SciTech. The funding has been made through the Research Ventures Catalyst (RVC) programme, which was set up to provide funding to take truly novel ideas from concept to transformative technology. The award will fund the MEMetic project, which will develop nature-inspired (biomimetic) polymer membranes for water filtration. MEMetic involves Professor Alan Goddard, Professor Roslyn Bill and Dr Alice Rothnie, from the School of Biosciences and Dr Matthew Derry and Prof. Paul Topham, from the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies.

Separating molecules from water is a fundamental challenge across sectors, from wastewater treatment to blood dialysis. Current filtration technologies rely on sequential separation steps based on the properties of the molecules, sometimes up to a dozen. However, biology has evolved a solution to this, developing proteins that sit within membranes to selectively transport a specific molecule across it. MEMetic embeds these specific biological transporters in sustainably produced plastic membranes to create bioinspired membranes capable of selectively removing a specific molecule, such as antibiotics, heavy metals and nutrients, from water in a single step. Additionally, MEMetic's membranes can concentrate the molecules of interest, making it perfect for recovering valuable resources from water, like phosphate and lithium. The technology could also, for example, be used in low-energy desalination or to remove toxic contaminants.

As part of this significant research project, we are seeking 5 talented postdoctoral researchers who are committed to translating fundamental science into real-world impact. Each of the roles will have a distinct focus, but we are an interdisciplinary team and the ability to work across traditional boundaries, coupled to significant disciplinary expertise, is essential.   For details of all the roles available please visit MEMetic | Aston University 

For this particular role we are seeking to appoint a researcher who will produce and characterise materials from isolated proteins and sustainable polymers to create functional purification membranes.

You will join a dynamic team of researchers across the biology/chemistry/materials interface and have opportunities to develop your skills in directions that are beneficial to you and the project.

All appointments will be for 3 years in the first instance with possible extension depending on the state of the project and funding availability.

For informal enquiries about this position, you can contact Matthew Derry (m.derry@aston.ac.uk) 

What we offer:

• Aston University is a vibrant campus located within Birmingham city centre, which has excellent transport links via bus or train.
• Excellent training and development opportunities.
• A generous annual leave scheme with 30 days bookable leave and a further 13 days of bank holiday and University closure days.
• Everyday discounts to a number of activities and retailers.
• Great family-friendly policies.
• On-site gym and pool with discounted staff membership available.
• Further information on our Benefits and Rewards can be found here.