Research Assistant/Research Associate (Fixed Term)

Membrane-based separations are central to addressing major sustainability challenges, from securing critical metal supplies for the energy transition to enabling energy-efficient water treatment. Designing the next generation of these processes requires accurate thermodynamic models of concentrated brines, yet the activity and speciation of multi-ion aqueous solutions remain poorly characterised at high ionic strength. Direct experimental probes of ion solvation and ion pairing are needed to constrain these models and underpin rational membrane design and process optimisation. 

The Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology (CEB) at the University of Cambridge welcomes applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to work on a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship project building experimentally grounded thermodynamic models of concentrated brines. The research uses terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) together with electrical conductivity and other physicochemical measurements to characterise ion solvation, hydration dynamics, and ion association across composition and temperature, and to parameterise improved excess Gibbs free energy models for multi-ion aqueous mixtures. 

The role centres on terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) and ion conductivity measurements to probe ion-solvent interactions and ion pairing in concentrated electrolyte solutions. This is an opportunity to be a member of a new research group working at the interface of experimental spectroscopy, chemical thermodynamics, and membrane science. 

You will report to Dr Akshay Deshmukh (PI) and Prof J. Axel Zeitler at CEB. You will work alongside a computational PDRA, whose models you will help to constrain and validate with your measurements, and collaborate with international project partners as part of a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship project. You will have access to CEB's world-leading facilities, including the Terahertz Applications Laboratory, and the broader Cambridge research ecosystem, including Cambridge Zero and the Energy Interdisciplinary Research Centre. 

You will be expected to publish in high-impact journals, generate and release well-curated experimental datasets, and present findings at international conferences. You will also gain experience in research leadership, grant writing, and mentoring, with support from the PI to help you achieve your career development goals. 

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 24 months in the first instance.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click 'Apply' above.

Please quote reference NQ50302 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy. 

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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