Postdoctoral Research Associate/Fellow

This new full-time post is available immediately to 21 April 2024 on a fixed term basis.

The starting salary for Associate will be from £31,411 on Grade E, for Fellow it will be from £37,474 on Grade F, depending on qualifications and experience. 

The Post

The College wishes to recruit either a Postdoctoral Research Associate/Fellow to support the work of Dr Rich Crane at the Camborne School of Mines, University of Exeter. The successful applicant will be supporting the Key-hole mining: engineering solutions towards zero-waste anodic electro-oxidation of green technology metals from sulphidic ores (ZERO-electro) project which is funded by the EPSRC New Horizons scheme.

The Post will comprise the collection and characterisation of sulfidic ores and mineral samples using a range of analytical techniques including optical and electron microscopy, in situ mineralogical analytical techniques (Electron Microprobe, LA-ICPMS, QEMSCAN) alongside bulk geochemical analysis (XRF, AAS, ICP-MS). Electrochemical leaching experiments and cyclic voltammetry will be implemented using potentiostat experimental leaching apparatus. Novel approaches in both hydrometallurgy and solvometallurgy will be explored. Candidate solvents will include: organic acids, ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents

The overarching vision for the ZERO-electro project is to develop a truly transformative new approach to the mining of sulfide minerals – one where metals can be selectively extracted from the subsurface using dramatically less environmental disturbance and waste generation.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role.

The University of Exeter

We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 150 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022 and QS World University Ranking 2022).  

Our research income in recent years means we’re the fastest growing UK Research University with some of the world’s most influential scientists, and we seek to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today through this. More than 99% of our research is of international quality and our world-leading research impact is growing faster than any other Russell Group university (2021 Research Excellence Framework). We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students. Read about our world leading research – Green Futures and how we are transforming education for a changing world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country and Exeter (a fast growing tech hub) is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City.

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

With over 27,000 students and 6,400 staff from 180 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer. Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community. Reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.

Further information

Please contact Rich Crane, r.crane@exeter.ac.uk. 

Advert information