Research Assistant

Are you an ambitious materials scientist or chemical engineer looking to bridge the gap between healthcare sustainability and clean energy innovation? Join us to lead the charge in transforming medical waste into second-life nanomaterials for a greener NHS.

About the role

As a Research Assistant (RA), you will be the primary experimental lead for the "Circularity and sustainability in volatile anaesthetics" project. Reporting directly to the academic lead, you will be responsible for demonstrating scalable regeneration and upcycling strategies for carbon adsorbents used in medical carbon capture systems. You will manage the laboratory-scale validation of thermal and chemical processes and coordinate with industrial partners, including SageTech Medical and the Manufacturing Technology Centre.

This is a full-time position working 37 hours per week on a fixed-term basis for 12 months due to funding.

Key responsibilities and projects:

• Adsorbent regeneration: Develop and optimise thermal, chemical, and hybrid reactivation protocols to restore the capacity of exhausted carbon materials from medical capture systems.
• Second-life photocatalysis and remediation: Lead the preliminary testing and evaluation of spent carbons as "second-life" adsorbents and photocatalysts to degrade persistent pharmaceutical pollutants, such as propofol and ibuprofen, in hospital effluents.
• Advanced material characterisation: Execute comprehensive characterisation throughout the material lifecycle, using N2 sorption, SEM/TEM, Raman, XRD, and TGA.

For more information on School of Geography Earth and Environmental Sciences please visit our dedicated webpage at:

https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/schools

Due to the nature of the role, unfortunately we are unable to accommodate working from home.

The successful candidate may be required to obtain an ATAS Certificate prior to this research being undertaken.

For an informal discussion to find out more about the role then please contact:

Lee Durndell; by email at lee.durndell@plymouth.ac.uk

What we’re looking for:

• Technical expertise: A strong background in functional nanomaterials design, carbon valorisation and/or synthesis, or circular process engineering.
• Analytical proficiency: Experience in advanced material characterisation techniques, specifically gas sorption, electron microscopy (SEM/TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD).
• Project leadership: Proven ability to manage complex experimental workplans and meet deliverables in a collaborative research environment.
• Sustainable mindset: A commitment to circular economy principles and the translation of lab-scale research into real-world environmental solutions.

For more information about the job and the person specification, please refer to the job description.

About us

You will join a high-impact, interdisciplinary team collaborating across the University of Plymouth (UoP), SageTech Medical, and the National Health Service (NHS). This project sits at the forefront of the Sustainable Medicines Manufacturing – Grand Challenge. You will have access to world-class facilities, including UoP’s specialised reactors and industry partner facilities, providing a unique platform for high-level academic and industrial networking.

The School of Geography Earth and Environmental Sciences holds a Bronze Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education.

Application Process

Please apply online, demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the knowledge, qualifications, training, skills and experience elements of the job description in your supporting statement.

Following the closing date of the vacancy, you will be notified on the outcome of your application in due course.

Closing date:  12 midnight, Sunday 6 September 2026

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