Research Fellow in Hydrothermal Processes

FTC for 24 months

Full time salary is £37,337 per annum

Cranfield Water Science Institute invites applications from passionate and skilled Engineering, Environmental Science, Biology, and Biotechnology PhD graduates for an exciting European project on hydrothermal processing of solid digestate and olive oil production waste

About the Role

We are seeking a Research Fellow to join our team in tackling the crucial challenge of resource recovery from waste. You will contribute to the OLinWASTE project, which aims to develop a zero-emission biorefinery converting olive mill waste into valuable products like bioimmunostimulants, biopesticides, biofertilizers, bioplastics, and bioenergy.

Your primary focus will be developing hydrothermal processes to convert digestate and olive mill waste into hydrochar and other recoverable resources. Using advanced facilities, you’ll design and run experimental tests, operate lab and pilot-scale reactors, and define optimal conditions (e.g., temperature, pressure, catalysts). You will also assess hydrochar reuse potential and manage residual outputs.

This is a unique opportunity for an engineering, environmental science, or chemistry expert to contribute to sustainable solutions in the agro-industrial and waste sectors on a global stage.

About You

You will hold (or be near completion of) a PhD in Engineering, Environmental Science, or Chemistry, with experience in management research using qualitative and quantitative methods. You will have a background in thermochemical processes and a track record of translating lab results into engineering applications. Strong communication skills and expertise in wastewater and/or waste treatment and resource recovery via thermochemical processes are essential. Experience in environmental or engineered systems is desirable. Equivalent industry experience will also be considered.

About Us

The Water theme at Cranfield University is home to two internationally recognised centres of excellence: Cranfield Water Science Institute and the Centre for Water Environment and Development. Both groups offer postgraduate taught and research degrees as well as short courses on campus or in-company.

CWSI has a proud reputation for its research on the science, engineering and management of water. Our lives and livelihoods are dependent on the natural and engineered water cycles. Accordingly, research and skills development in water treatment and management have never been more vital. Cranfield’s research in these areas is applied and industry focused, and we have been driving innovation for over 40 years.

Our Values and Commitments

Our shared, stated values help to define who we are and underpin everything we do: Ambition; Impact; Respect; and Community. Find out more here.

We aim to create and maintain a culture in which everyone can work and study together and realise their full potential. We are a Disability Confident Employer and proud members of the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme. We are committed to actively exploring flexible working options for each role and have been ranked in the Top 30 family friendly employers in the UK by the charity Working Families. Find out more about our key commitments to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Flexible Working here.

Working Arrangements

Collaborating and connecting are integral to so much of what we do. Our Working Arrangements Framework provides many staff with the opportunity to flexibly combine on-site and remote working, where job roles allow, balancing the needs of our community of staff, students, clients and partners.

How to apply                                    

For enquiries, contact Dr Alibardi, at l.alibardi@cranfield.ac.uk

For further details, email peoplerecruitment@cranfield.ac.uk. quoting reference-5100.

Applications deadline: 14/07/2025

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