Research Associate in Mechanical Engineering

Contract Duration: 13.5 months (or until end of June 2026)

Applications are invited for a post-doctoral position focused on the development and application of a chemical reactor for the analysis of heterogeneous reactive mixtures by novel high-resolution NMR techniques.

The Research Associate will work closely with Dr Julien R. Landel at the Department of Mathematics, who has strong expertise in experimental fluid mechanics and multiphase flows. The research will be carried out in close collaboration with the research group of Dr Ralph Adams and Prof. Jordi Bures, ICREA Professor at ICIQ (Spain) and a Visiting Professor in Organic Chemistry at the University of Manchester. This project offers an excellent opportunity for a suitable candidate to build a broad skill set in mechanical engineering and fluid mechanics, with applications in chemistry and NMR spectroscopy.

The aim of the project is to design, test and develop a stirring fluid mechanics device for the mixing of heterogeneous mixtures for chemical analysis by NMR spectroscopy. NMR spectroscopy is the most advanced techniques to analyse chemical reactions. However, it is currently limited to homogeneous (single phase) liquid mixtures. In this research project, we are exploring novel chemical reactor designs, based on existing prototypes developed in the research groups of Landel, Bures and Adams, in order to overcome limitations in NMR spectroscopy for heterogeneous reactive mixtures. In collaboration with the two other researchers in chemistry and NMR spectroscopy, this project has the potential to unlock the use of NMR spectroscopy for a broad range of applications, in order to allow the identification, quantification and structure determination of all chemical components in heterogenous mixtures. Indeed, in many areas (e.g. chemical process development, quality control, food science, metabolomics, polymer science) the majority of the samples of interest are heterogeneous mixtures, and here NMR could play a pivotal role due to its non-destructive and quantitative nature.

The project lies at the interface between mechanical engineering, experimental fluid mechanics, chemistry and NMR spectroscopy. This position follows on from a previous appointment where a number of prototypes have already been developed. The main tasks will be to continue designing, developing and testing experimental prototypes in order to identify the best designs for the scientific objectives described above. A key component of the project will be to collaborate closely with the two other researchers in chemistry and NMR spectroscopy to understand how the mixing properties of the device can affect NMR measurements of heterogeneous chemical mixtures, based on the data collected by the other researchers, and thus refine the design of the stirring device.

You must have, or expect shortly to obtain, a PhD in mechanical engineering or fluid mechanics, or a closely related field. You will join a lively international group of researchers; excellent team-working and interpersonal skills are required. You will share responsibility for practical organisation of equipment and resources within the laboratory. You will be expected to contribute weekly group meetings and prepare reports and research articles.

Name: Dr Julien Landel

Email: Julien.Landel@manchester.ac.uk

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