Research Fellow (KTP Associate – UoB/Salinity Solutions Ltd)

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract up to February 2028

Background

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between the School of Engineering at the University of Birmingham and Salinity Solutions Limited. The Knowledge Transfer Partnership project will focus on scaling-up the technology and transferring existing knowledge of this process from the University of Birmingham to Salinity Solutions, where it can be commercialised and accelerate the growth of the company. The need is to develop significantly larger system designs and simulations and to embed the added knowledge into the business as a legacy capability to reduce the reliance on the University. 

Please note that the successful applicant will be employed by the University of Birmingham but will be primarily based at Salinity Solutions Limited premises in Tyseley Energy Park, Fordrough, Yardley, Birmingham, B25 8DW. 

About Salinity Solutions Limited

Salinity Solutions is a spin out of the University of Birmingham. Salinity Solutions Limited is commercialising a high efficiency water purification system using patented Batch Reverse Osmosis technology, known as HyBatch®. Systems using this technology are used to purify water, outputting two streams: pure water and concentrated brine. 

About Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) scheme is a government-funded technology transfer initiative that supports partnerships between business and universities, placing graduates on challenging, high-profile projects. Further information is available at: www.birmingham.ac.uk/ktp 

Role Summary

The post holder will carry out research on and work with Salinity's customers to ensure there is a robust approach to and recording of: system design, testing, simulation, scale up, and membrane fouling analysis.

The KTP Associate will be required to set up new testing facilities at the expanding company facilities at Tyseley Energy Park, embedding a rigorous testing process for the scaling up and design for manufacture of new desalination systems to meet customer requirements. Through the partnership, the Associate will develop the ability to: (i) model and predict fluid flow and system performance for large-scale systems; (ii) assess how different types of fouling may affect the membranes and how to mitigate this risk.

Main Duties:

• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Analyse and interpret data
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc
• Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods 
• Undertake management/administration arising from research

Essential:

• First degree in area of specialism and normally, a higher degree relevant to research area or equivalent qualifications/experience
• High level analytical capability
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
• Experience in process technology such as water treatment processes

Informal enquiries can be made to Soroosh Sharifi, email: s.sharifi@bham.ac.uk 

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above. 

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We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working

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