Research Associate in Circular Textiles and Ionic Liquids

Location: South Kensington Campus 

The Department of Chemical Engineering is seeking a Research Associate to join a project funded by the UKRI “Research for a plastics circular economy” call (EP/Y003888/1) to carry out research programmes in the development of novel technologies for textile recycling, including the use of ionic liquids for circular dyeing.

Textiles for clothing are a major user of plastics, in which the plastic component is frequently combined with natural fibres such as cotton and wool. Globally, 438 million tonnes of plastic were produced in 2017, of which 62 million tonnes were used in the textile industry. In the UK, >1 M tonnes of textile waste are generated annually.

You will focus on assessing the feasibility and advantages of recycling both dyes and fibres separated from multi-material textile waste. The approach will involve separation of cotton from PET, the recovery of fibres and the removal and re-use of dyes. Ionic liquids will be explored as novel solvents with the end goal an integrated process to recycle as much textile material as possible. The project will be performed in collaboration with industrial partners, most notably DyeRecycle (www.dyerecycle.com).

You will execute world-leading, academic research with a high degree of independence and enjoy interdisciplinary collaboration with other researchers and industrial partners. You will undertake project management, supervise small multi-disciplinary teams and submit high-quality publications to refereed journals. 

Duties and responsibilities

You will carry out experiments on the separation of polycotton blends and integrate circular dyeing approaches. This will include developing an experimental apparatus for textile separation, dye extraction and fibre recovery. You will collect data on fibre properties and fibre analysis. You will evaluate decolourization efficiency and dyeing efficiency of waste and re-dyed textiles. 

You will plan the research in collaboration with Prof Jason Hallett, identifying suitable techniques. You will collaborate with academic and industrial research partners, including the University of Huddersfield and the company DyeRecycle.

You will draft scientific publications for submission to refereed journals and IP disclosures and patents. You will also present your work orally and in writing to collaborations, industrial partners, potential investors and at conferences.

Essential requirements

• A PhD degree (or equivalent) in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or a related discipline
• Experience in the use of ionic liquids
• Experience in plastic or textile recycling and material analysis
• Ability to deliver technical reports/presentations to a range of audiences

Further Information

You can start immediately and the contract will run for 32 months in the first instance, with the possibility of extension subject to research funding. The post is based in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London (South Kensington Campus).

Informal enquiries about the post can be made to Professor Jason Hallett (j.hallett@imperial.ac.uk)

To apply, please visit our website: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs/. You will find this vacancy by searching either the position title or job number: ENG02780. Candidates will need to complete an online application.

Further information about the post is available in the job description.

Should you have any queries about the application process please contact chemeng.staffing@imperial.ac.uk.

Closing date: Midnight on Sunday 22^nd October 2023

Imperial College is committed to equality of opportunity, to eliminating discrimination and to creating an inclusive working environment. We are an Athena SWAN Silver award winner, a Stonewall Diversity Champion, a Disability Confident Employer and work in partnership with GIRES to promote respect for trans people.

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