Research Officer (Sustain Phase 2)

This project will link to Phase 2 of the EPSRC sustainable steel (SUSTAIN) Hub focusing on decarbonizing steel and iron manufacturing. So, it is well known that iron and steelmaking use large amounts of coal & natural gas fossil fuel to sinter Fe₂O₃ along with coke and injected coal in the blast furnace. The combined factors of commercial manufacturing, scale and extreme environments (e.g., high temperatures, reactive gases) associated with these processes. Underlying all these processes is the heat energy used. This project will study the quantum yield (energy in versus energy used) of iron and steel making with the aim of improving this and hence reducing overall energy usage to help meet net zero targets.

Materials Science and Engineering at the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Swansea University is based at the recently opened £450M Bay Campus and has world class research, links with industry and outstanding facilities.  It has a record of £120M of research funding since 2008.  This research project will be embedded within Materials Engineering which is ranked 5th in the UK (The Times Good University Guide 2017) and in the top 200 departments in the world (Shanghai Global Rankings).

Candidates will research simple but novel heat recycling processes, studying the quantum yield of current process and improved processes related to iron and steelmaking as well the optimisation of infrared absorption/reflection/emission/transfer processes.  The role will be part of the EPSRC SUSTAIN (sustainable steel) consortium which involves academic partners from Sheffield and Warwick Universities and industry partners from across the UK metallurgical sector.

Candidates should possess a PhD (or near completion) in Chemistry or equivalent, have evidence of active engagement, personal role, and contribution to writing and publishing research papers, particularly for high impact research papers and have experience in studying energy intensive processes (e.g., sintering or pyrolysis etc), of researching and improving quantum yield and studying infrared related processes (e.g., absorption and/or reflection and/or emission and/or transfer).

The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity in all its practices and activities. We aim to establish an inclusive environment and welcome diverse applications from the following protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic and national origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation.

We have an under-representation of women in the area of research and would particularly welcome applications from women for this position. We also have an under representation of individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds and would encourage applications from these groups. Appointments will always be made on merit. 

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